Investing Information

Super Rules, OK?





Do you rule your superannuation or does it rule you?

It's easy to fall for some myths about your super unless you do some clear thinking about who is in charge. Virtually all Australian employees now have a superannuation account, many have several, even more than they know about. We all hope to use this money to fund our retirement, but unless you look after your super then you are in danger of losing some of your money along the way.

Myth number 1. Someone else can look after my super. Only partly right. It is possible go through your working life letting your super run on autopilot, but you may be in for an unpleasant surprise if you don't keep an eye on your super. Make sure your employer is paying the correct amount, and that if your employer goes broke your super is still available.

If you change jobs you need to decide if you wish to 'roll over' the money into another fund. This is especially important if you change jobs frequently. You can find that you have relatively small amounts scattered over several funds, and in each you will be paying a management fee before you earn any distribution or interest. In the long term inflation will eat away at the value of your principle, even though the dollar amount stays the same. Many super companies provide a free service to consolidate small accounts for you. Use them.

Myth number 2. It's not my money until I retire. Dead wrong. It's your money, just like the rest of the money in your pay packet. Super funds are providing a service of managing your money until you can legally access it when you retire. You have control of it. After July 2005 you will have even more say about your money. If you are not happy with the service you should tell the service provider. If they can't fix your problem, then you can sack them and put your money elsewhere.

Myth number 3. I don't need to worry about it until I am at least fifty-something. Not really. Australians are enjoying longer lives and better health. You will need more money if you want to have more options in retirement. You will probably need to top up your super to achieve financial independence in your golden years. The sooner you start the better.

The Australian Government is generously giving away our money to help lower and middle income earners top up their super. It's called the superannuation co-contribution scheme. If you, or your spouse, are eligible you should make sure you get your share.

Fact number 1.Our superannuation is our money. To look after your super you need to learn about your rights and options. It's a long term task. You need to get information and advice. Don't rush, but start soon.

About The Author

Darby Higgs is a Melbourne-based web writer. He is the manager and editor of its-our-money.com a website aiming to empower investors in retirement funds to take a more active role in the governance of their money.

darby.higgs@gmail.com


MORE RESOURCES:

Dow Corning investing $4 million to update its laboratories
MLive.com, MI - 5 hours ago
By Eric English Dow Corning Corp. is spending $4 million to update some of its older laboratories at its Bay County corporate headquarters campus. ...


Yahoo

Pimco Names El-Erian CEO Of the Bond-Investing Giant
Wall Street Journal - 18 hours ago
... returning from running Harvard University's endowment, Mohamed El-Erian was named on Thursday as chief executive of Pacific Investment Management Co. ...
PIMCO Co-CEO Stepping Down IndexUniverse.com
all 60 news articles


Seattle Post Intelligencer

Lieberman Still Investing In Democratic Party
NPR - Sep 4, 2008
Morning Edition, September 4, 2008 ยท He may be campaigning for Republican John McCain. He may have been close to becoming McCain's running mate. But Sen. ...
Democratic, Republican Platforms Show Sharp Differences AFL-CIO
McCain The Maverick Is Touted By Dem Apostate Sen. Lieberman Investor's Business Daily (subscription)
all 1,040 news articles


ArkansasSports360.com

Not For The Faint
Oneindia, India - 13 hours ago
Investing in art is the hottest trend prevailing worldwide and is turning into a fine art by itself. The galleries in the Indian Metros are not far behind ...
Crystal Bridges Museum reveals acquisition Seattle Post Intelligencer
Unveiling another Benton County Daily Record
Crystal Bridges Sends Painting To Washington The Morning News
all 14 news articles


One Essential Stock Screen
Motley Fool - 4 hours ago
Like an eccentric playboy tossing money in the air, Tom threw out some of the best and most actionable investing advice that I had ever heard. ...
Do You Still Own This Garbage? Motley Fool
all 2 news articles


Andreesen on Chrome, Obama, and Investing in Start-ups
Conde Nast Portfolio, NY - 7 hours ago
Andreesen explained that he stays busy with Ning, his non-profit work on behalf of Stanford Hospital and Room to Read, and investing/advising start-ups. ...


Monday Morning

ROBERT POWELL For the long haul
MarketWatch - 3 hours ago
Most experts do not advise investing more than half of your assets in non-US stocks. But they do suggest investing a portion in such stocks. ...
Oxford Club bet on Buffett: A 'no-brainer' BloggingStocks
all 3 news articles


5 More Munger Quotes to Improve Your Investing
Motley Fool - Sep 4, 2008
"If you took [Berkshire's] top fifteen [investing] decisions out, we'd have a pretty average record. It wasn't hyperactivity, but a hell of a lot of ...
Make This Your Best Investing Year Yet Motley Fool
No One Likes Your Portfolio Motley Fool
all 3 news articles


Crisis investing: The Opportunities in Vietnam
GuruFocus.com, TX - 36 minutes ago
by Andrew Mickey Crisis investing is not an easy thing to do. It takes nerves of steel. After all, buying what no one else is willing to seems absolutely ...


CNBC

Avoid These Six Deadly Investing Mistakes
CNBC, Englewood Cliffs - 3 hours ago
But no matter what, avoiding these six costly investment mistakes will help you to keep your head above today's troubled waters. "Fluctuations in the market ...

Investing - Google News

Looking for home paper shredder? Find it at www.officetronics.com
Looking for best gun safe? Find it at www.officetronics.com
Improve your credit  the home owner loan  Stock4Profit  Best Investing Guide  Credit Card and Mortgage  
Free Links Direct
  • Some charities accept donations through intermediaries, who are paid a percentage of the proceeds from your Car Donate.


  • A patent idea lawyer can tell you what your rights are with your patent.


  • More and more people are realizing that car donation is a better option than giving money.


  • A car donation is a great way to get tax credits.


  • Part of an executive's job description is an endlessly busy schedule, so to be able to reach them, you need to have an executive mailing list in hand.


  • Now, if you are hosting your own website, then you need a video streaming host all the more.


  • Search Exchange Free Link Exchange Web Portal Google PR
    Cheap Flights - Over 1,200 Destinations Worldwide
    Cheap flights to New YorkCheap flights to DubaiCheap flights to Bangkok
    Cheap flights to OrlandoCheap flights to Las VegasCheap flights to Sydney
    Home | Site Map | The Investment Machine | real estate investing | stock market investing | stock market | investing strategy | stock investing | investing in | invest | stock |
    © 2007