AJ Financial Planning Blog
We like the quote by R. Bennett when he summed up the following "Top 15 things money can't buy; time, happiness, inner peace, integrity, love, character,... respect, morals, trust, patience, common sense, dignity."
Our blog shares our latest ideas, critical thinking, thought-provoking insights, innovative exploration of the markets, economies, investments and areas in the financial markets that require change.
Is your super fund using performance-enhancing drugs?
These days whenever I watch sport, I can’t help wondering whether the competitors that win are using performance-enhancing drugs. I think ever since the Lance
Australian Super’s Elephant Gun Problem
Back in 1987, Warren Buffet made the following statement in a letter to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders: ‘Our basic principle is that if you want to shoot rare, fast-moving elephants, you should always carry a loaded gun’
Are your super fund’s directors acting in your best interest?
Members of superannuation funds aren’t entitled to vote on who the directors are. In fact, as a member, do you have a say on anything to do with your superannuation company? Who runs it; how it is run; the direction in the organisation is headed?
How to beat regulators on the $1.6 million cap limit on superannuation
If you have more than $1.6 million in super, presently you might find that you are unable to make any further after-tax contributions (non-concessional contributions) into your super.
This cap limit is based on a per person limit and was introduced as a result of the government’s idea of restricting how much one person can have in their super at retirement at a reduced tax rate of 0%.
How can I tell if my super fund provider is in financial difficulty?
I recently reviewed Media Super’s Annual Report after reading a media article that reported them purchasing a 429-year-old violin as an investment. I thought this was an odd investment for a regulated super fund. Was this a responsible decision given the opaque market of collectables and the high transactional costs associated with such investments? And, how did this get past APRA? It triggered me to investigate Media Super’s investment policy.
Does your retirement super need to be ‘Zengosaidan’?
I often like to read ‘peculiar’ books that give me some insights into different ways of thinking. I recently came across a book review in The Monocle Minute. It inspired me to buy the book:
Could your Hostplus Index Balanced Fund be a disappointment?
Around $2.5 billion has reportedly flowed into the industry super fund Hostplus in recent times. This influx of funds has largely been on the back of media commentators promoting Hostplus, in particular its Hostplus Index Balanced Fund.
AJ Radio – Episode 20
In this 20th Episode of AJ Radio we challenge some paradigms of investing and retirement. As the financial world is no always logical, we raise some interesting questions when thinking of the amount of funding for your retirement and if higher returns for investments are better.
Is it better to retire on a $350k super fund, or a $900k super fund balance?
When it comes to retirement most people believe more is best, but is this always the case? Have the Centrelink changes that came into effect last year distorted reality; has the $350k super fund become the new $900k – without all the extra effort of squirrelling away so much for retirement?
Are industry super funds headed for an asset allocation disaster?
Superannuation funds within the retail and industry super fund market usually offer ‘balanced’ or ‘growth’-based investment options. But what does this really mean; and aren’t these funds all the same?
On 31 May 2017, Vanguard’s Balanced Index Fund reported an allocation to growth-based assets of 49.9%.
Navigating retirement funding: Is superannuation such a great idea?
Superannuation and retirement have always gone hand in hand. Yet recent budget announcements around taxation, contribution caps and other proposed changes have caused a stir and understandably, some Australians may be reconsidering the merits of superannuation.
The Super catch up… Are you chasing a $541K shortfall?
How do you catch up if you haven’t contributed to your superannuation for a while?
Perhaps you’re self-employed, have taken time off to start a family, or are just enjoying some time off work to travel the world. Whatever the reason, it’s likely that as a result, your superannuation might be a little light on. The question is does it matter if you miss a few years of contributing?
Who is wealthier?
The accumulation of wealth, and what people perceive as being wealthy, has fascinated me over the decades. Below I have provided you with 2 very stereotypical examples and as you read each one, I would like you to pick which person is the wealthier?
So lets start….
Drawing the right level of income from your super
How much you should really draw as an income from your superannuation?
When you hit retirement age, you have the ability to access your superannuation and draw an annual income stream. Once you are fully retired, you have the ability to select how much you want to take from your superannuation—and making the right decision is critical.
50’s and super – what’s important to know…..
I was recently went around the corner from my office to eat at an Italian restaurant. It was one of those restaurants where the entire menu is in Italian. Now my Italian is sketchy at the best of times, but what was a little more tricky was the menu items. Normally when you look at a menu you can quickly identify a couple fail safe options, this place however had me stumped.