| Ask an expert archived listing |
31.10.08 - If an employee has their superannuation invested in the Cash Investment option with AustralianSuper; is it covered by the...
Many members have been asking how the deposit guarantee affects AustralianSuper’s Cash option and how we structure the Capital Cash Guarantee option. |
30.09.08 - I am working on a casual on-call basis. As a result, my super contributions are not continuous. We would like to know how can...
Spouse contributions involve your partner (married or de facto) making additional contributions to your superannuation on your behalf. This can be an effective superannuation strategy for people who may be on a lower income due to working part-time, or... |
11.08.08 - I am 65 and working full-time and will be for the next 5 years at least. Am I able to draw, say, $60,000 from my superannuation...
At age 65, regardless of a your employment status, you have full access to your superannuation monies. Attaining age 65 is an automatic condition of release. |
29.07.08 - Is now a good or bad time to change investment options? I have funds in High Growth Investment Option and was thinking of...
It’s important to check every couple of years that your investment option still suits you and your circumstances. But don’t make hasty changes until you’ve fully considered your situation and personal objectives. |
02.06.08 - If our self-employed business made a loss, would we still qualify for the co-contribution if we made the personal contributions...
Personal contributions (also known as voluntary contribtions) are payments made to your superannuation account from your after-tax or take-home pay. |
01.05.08 - Please explain AustralianSuper's sub-prime exposure risks and what is being done to ensure we are protected.
Over recent years, many lenders in the US have been issuing mortgages to sub-prime borrowers, i.e. those with bad credit histories or no evidence of income or savings. These borrowers are often charged higher interest rates to make it more profitable for... |
01.04.08 - Can I transfer my super already in an Approved Deposit Fund to your fund and receive an income stream?
Approved Deposit Funds (or ADFs) were created in the mid-1980s following legislative changes that increased the tax payable on lump sum payments. ADFs enabled members to ‘park’ lump sum amounts in the superannuation system so their benefit would receive... |
01.03.08 - I am 57 years old and working full time. I am salary sacrificing into super but would like to use my super to pay off my...
Superannuation is a long-term investment and the Government has placed restrictions on when you can get access to your benefits. In general, you cannot get your benefits paid to you until you have reached your preservation age and permanently retired... |
12.02.08 - Why doesn't Australian Super offer an almost risk-free investment option of high-interest-bearing bank account deposit like...
When comparing AustralianSuper with online savings accounts, such as those offered by Members Equity Bank, it is important to keep in mind the following: |
15.11.07 - Can you please explain how interest* is credited to my account?
The monthly and month-to-date rates are used to calculate interest* on your account. |
30.10.07 - What are the fees associated with the new AustralianSuper Pension?
If you have an AustralianSuper Pension, you pay an administration fee of $1 per week plus 0.22% of your account balance per year. The 0.22% annual fee will not exceed $1,100 per year for accounts of $500,000 or more. We deduct these amounts directly from... |
28.09.07 - In the balanced fund you have a percentage in an absolute fund. Who is the fund manager, what do they invest in, and what is...
AustralianSuper's investment portfolio has very little direct exposure to the affected securities within the absolute return sector, which comprises around 3% of the Balanced Investment Option. |
01.08.07 - If I had a salary sacrifice payment made to my Super fund on 9 July 2007, but the pay period that the salary sacrifice covered...
Any salary sacrifice payments lodged are counted in the financial year they were received, not the pay period covered by the contribution. |
02.07.07 - Is AustralianSuper going to offer its own pension product?
As part of our commitment to providing better products and services, AustralianSuper will launch an account-based pension from 1 January 2008. The AustralianSuper Pension is designed for those who are approaching retirement or who are permanently... |
30.03.07 - Can AustralianSuper invest on my behalf in a single stock on the Australian Stock Exchange, for example Telstra? And how much...
Subject to some conditions, AustralianSuper members can choose to invest in single stocks that are in the S&P/ASX 200 Index, which incorporates the top 200 companies listed for trading on the Australian Stock Exchange. |
The 'Ask an expert' column is not intended as personal financial advice and responses provided are of a general nature. Responses do not take into account your specific needs, so you should look at your own personal position, objectives and requirements before taking any action. You may wish to consult a qualified financial adviser who will take into account your personal financial position; however, you will be solely responsible for any investment decision that you make. Before making a decision about AustralianSuper you should obtain a Product Disclosure Statement (available in Forms and Publications) relating to the product and consider the Statement before making any decision about whether to acquire the product.