The conventional wisdom is that most people who can start retirement phase pensions should do so as soon as possible. Here are a few things to weigh up when deciding whether or not to start a pension before 1 July 2021.

A friend and I are co-directors of a small private business. Surely we’re “related parties” for super law purposes?

There are some occasions when a pension can be paid to a person well before retirement, but timing matters and it’s important to understand the system’s quirks.

Late last week the November 2020 Average Weekly Earnings data was released which means we now know for sure that the concessional contributions cap will increase from $25,000 to $27,500 from 1 July 2021.

I’m a relatively passive trustee of my SMSF – my partner looks after the day to day running of the fund and I simply sign the financials each year. Am I exposed to penalties should something go wrong?

If your beneficiaries are adult children and there is no spouse, there are five big tax savings. When you die, there are rules about how, and to whom, your superannuation benefit can be paid.

If we ever needed reminding that 2020 is indeed a strange year, look no further than the fact that the 2020 Federal Budget will be brought down in early October rather than the traditional 'second Tuesday in May'.

Understanding the laws around self-managed superannuation funds is complicated, especially when divorce is involved, so get good advice from a professional.

Everyone at my work has taken a 20% pay cut as our company is really suffering because of COVID-19. But we still work our normal full-time hours. Will I be able to access my super under the new special rules introduced last month?

My accountant told me last year that I can’t make personal contributions anymore because I have more than $1.6m in super. But my account is worth much less now, does that mean I can go back to putting in up to $100,000 pa?

On 20 April 2020 applications will open for members seeking to access some of their super under the Government’s new early release rules. Speed up the application process and maximise the amount able to be withdrawn with these 7 steps.

There is really nothing good to say about investment markets right now – nor, of course, the existential challenge that COVID-19 poses to society. But what does it all mean for our superannuation and in particular pensions?