Record SMSF growth driven by AI and digital tools, but admin and compliance challenges persist 48,500 new SMSFs were established in the 12 months to December 2025, the highest annual number on record. Nearly 40% of newly established SMSFs reported using AI based tools to assess whether an SMSF was right for them before setting … Read more
Making the most of your peak earning years Many Gen X Australians are now in their peak earning years and retirement is not too far away. While many people in this age group are earning more than ever, not everyone is on track to achieve the level of financial security they would like in retirement. … Read more
Australia’s $3.5 trillion wealth transfer: how to invest an inheritance wisely Australia is entering one of the largest intergenerational wealth transfers in its history. Over the next two decades, Australians aged 60 and over are expected to transfer around $3.5 trillion in wealth1. As more Australians receive an inheritance, taking time to develop a clear … Read more
In the weeks after the Federal Budget’s announcement to change the rules for negative gearing and the reduction to Capital Gains Tax (CGT), headlines continue to spark debate, and a familiar question lingers: what does this mean for my investments? With ongoing global developments layered on top, it can feel as though some form of … Read more
Understand which contributions are before-tax or after-tax and how super and tax rules apply to them. Tax and restrictions on contributions Your superannuation is usually taxed at a lower rate than most income and investments. However, if your contributions exceed thresholds (called ‘caps’) that apply to concessional and non-concessional contributions, the amounts above the caps … Read more
Significant reforms to the Australian superannuation system are about to take effect and could help people boost their super balances in the lead-up to retirement. They are being billed as the biggest changes in decades to the superannuation system in Australia and the reforms may support improved retirement outcomes for Australians. From July 1, 2026, … Read more
Why not all tech stocks are benefiting from the AI boom For Australian investors with a keen interest in markets – and technology shares in particular – the past 12 months haven’t exactly been straightforward. On one hand, U.S. tech stocks are hitting record highs, with headlines dominated by surging chipmakers, massive AI investment, and … Read more
Two brothers – Paul Issa and Phillip Issa – fronted court in Sydney recently, both facing criminal charges after allegedly accessing the personal banking details of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. The younger brother, 21-year-old Paul, was a graduate employee of consulting firm EY and on secondment to the Commonwealth Bank of Australia at the time … Read more
How self-managed super funds (SMSFs) are taxed, what is assessable income, and what are allowable deductions. Tax on income Self-managed super funds (SMSFs) must pay tax on their assessable income. The most common types of assessable income are: assessable contributions net capital gains interest dividends rent. A complying superannuation fund that follows the laws and … Read more
Picking an investment strategy depends on your life stage, income needs and tax factors When considering a strategy for investing in shares, a good question to consider is do you prefer generating steady income, or pursuing long-term growth? Your answer will more than likely determine whether you focus on dividends or growth, two different approaches … Read more
