Superannuation funds are the main source of retirement income for Australians. This makes the rate of return of these funds a matter of national interest. So, how have Australian Super Funds performed? According to a three year study by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, OECD on the nominal annual average return of super [...]
Carlyle Group, the private equity firm, has staked its first claim in the Australian property market. The property in question is a 3,700+ square meter site in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley. The $AU150 million dollar purchase was a joint venture between the Carlyle Group and Leighton Properties for Mosaic, their residential and commercial project. Mosaic will [...]
Well, no need to tell you that 2011 was a tumultuous year! Floods, market slides, Euro debt crisis, new Responsible Lending Laws introduced, exit fees abolished, and falling interest rates. But with all of these events, I must tell you it was the quietest year I have witnessed in the finance industry. Investors were noticeably [...]
Out of nowhere, the Australian government is set to introduce one of the biggest changes in the legislation regulating superannuation funds since the super fund program was created. It is certainly the biggest change in the last 20 years. Why now? What are the changes? How could they affect you and your super fund? The [...]
One of the big attractions of super funds is that they are tax efficient. Not only are they a great way of saving money for your golden years, by investing in them you actually save money now by reducing your taxable income. How, though, can you claim deductions on your super contributions? To claim [...]
For many people, a super fund is one of their biggest assets: their nest egg for old age. So, what happens to your nest egg if your marriage ends in divorce? In the event of divorce or relationship breakdown certain laws apply whether the couples are of the same sex, de facto couples or [...]
