When to start saving for retirement

Christopher Niesche Retirement seems a long way off for the average 30-year-old, but experts says it's important to get into the savings habit early.

Tech talk

Squeezing less into retirement

Penny Pryor If you've been trying to squirrel away as much as possible into superannuation while you can, you need to take note of a few measures that were introduced by the Treasurer, Wayne Swan, last week.

Annette Sampson

In search of an equitable retirement system

Annette Sampson Let's be honest. While most of us reckon saving for retirement is a good idea, if we had our druthers we would probably be more inclined to keep the money for now.

Retirement savings hit

Fund Pick Yippee! Super funds returned almost 4 per cent in the three months to the end of February.

A retirement conundrum

John Collett Legislative risk is the big concern as the Government shifts the super goalposts, writes John Collett.

Retirement endgame

John Collett Research by superannuation consultant Watson Wyatt Australia says most of us are likely to be living a lot longer than official longevity data suggests.

SUPER

Balancing retiree objectives and risks

John Collett The objectives of retiree members of super funds are much more diverse than those of members still working.

Retirement

Market rout trims super gains

Madeleine Heffernan Expectations for super returns have been slimmed down, but double-digit gains are still likely.

SUPER

Staying at work can yield dividends beyond a bigger super account

John Collett More people are delaying retirement and working longer, even if part time. Not only do we need to save more for a comfortable retirement, but working helps to keep us healthy.

STARTING YOUNG

Why Gen Y should give a damn about super

Penny Pryor Are you a Gen Y? Related to a Gen Y? Know a Gen Y? Have you/they never given their superannuation a first thought, let alone a second? Yes it's hard to think about retirement savings when you're in...

SUPER RETURNS

Seventh year and no hitch

John Collett Six poor, post GFC-years have played havoc with balances, but with shares recovering, balanced options are bouncing back

GETTING STARTED

Autonomy offers a taste of control

Penny Pryor For years the mainstream superannuation funds have tried to muscle in on the growing SMSF market, which accounts for almost half a million funds with $496.2 billion in assets under management.

THE RULES

Pension criteria set to change

NOEL WHITTAKER Centrelink uses the deeming rules when assessing eligibility for the age pension under the income test.

INSIGHT

How the Y factor turns some stocks into smash-hits

Clancy Yeates Perhaps the biggest influence on most big superannuation funds is the sharemarket.

QUIRKY INVESTMENTS

Art hits its stride, but it's a silly walk for SMSFs

James Cockington The signs are that people are again buying at auctions. A Sotheby's sale of Australian art cleared more than $7.4 million. It's been a while since that has happened.

THE REGULATOR

Getting super across to all

Robynne Quiggin While many Australians find super challenging, for those living in rural and remote areas - and especially for indigenous Australians - the difficulties are magnified.

Balance and control key to super

Max Newnham The amount of control a member has over their investments in superannuation will depend on the type of super they have.

SUPER

Cracking open the nest egg

Christine Long The government's recently announced changes to improve the ''fairness'' of superannuation have focused attention on the retirement savings of those who are better off, but financial counsellors are...

BUDGET SPECIAL

The mother of all super shortfalls

Penny Pryor The lesson for anyone considering having children is to not forget superannuation. New parents need to remember that a dollar saved now could be more than 10 times that much at retirement.