Superannuation: The Ultimate Super Guide

Superannuation Information Quick Links

Superannuation is generally the foundation of your retirement savings, so ensuring you handle it right is crucial. However, what looks ‘right’ for a professional couple in their early 30s might look very different from what suits a busy, time-poor family, or a semi-retired couple in their 60s.

Superannuation options are generally quite broad and come with a lot of further questions. Do you want to manage your own super fund, or are you comfortable entrusting a large provider to do this for you? Should you top up your super contributions with your own cash, or let it look after itself? Are you planning to access a portion of your super early, or hold on to it as long as you can? How are you planning on spending your retirement? What happens to your superannuation when you pass away? All valid questions that you might just not have the answer to yet – which is completely fine.

We know that understanding your super can be overwhelming. Our superannuation financial advisers can help you navigate the path towards a superannuation solution that’s right for you. With decades of knowledge and experience, our expert MBA Financial Strategists team are here to provide you with expert superannuation financial advice.

Is my super right for me?

This is a question our superannuation financial advisers hear all the time. However, the answer is not simple and depends very much on your own personal circumstances.

We recommend you take into account the following considerations when determining what ‘your’ super will look like:

1. Your own personal goals – what you are hoping to achieve with your super fund and in what timeframe?
2. Your age and family responsibilities.
3. How comfortable are you to see your super balance fluctuate with changes in the stock market?
4. Fees and performance associated with your super choice.

If you’re unsure which super fund to choose, or want to consider your wider retirement options, we recommend you seek independent financial advice with our superannuation financial advisers.

Am I paying an acceptable level of fees on my super?

Again, this is a very common question that we receive here at MBA Financial Strategists. And again, the answer is dependent on your own personal situation.

Superannuation funds charge fees and charges, and those fees can vary significantly across funds. Whilst, it is generally better to lower the fees and costs, it is important to weigh that up with what the fund offers in terms of risk, returns and services.

Find Out More About Superannuation Fees

Should I consolidate my super?

There are key benefits to combining multiple super accounts into one consolidated account. To decide whether this is the right thing for you, understand these benefits and weigh these up with some key things to consider.

The team at MBA Financial Strategists can help you through this process.

Find Out More About Super Consolidation

What is the best way to structure my insurance?

Most super funds have an insurance component attached. An important consideration with your super fund is how to structure your insurance.

Generally, the insurance component will include Life insurance and/or Temporary and Permanent Disablement (TPD). Make sure you are informed about how much insurance is attached to your super, the sums insured and the fees involved.

Self Managed Super Funds

A popular approach to buying property is to set up a Self Managed Super Fund (SMSF). An SMSF gives you control over your own fund along with added responsibilities and administration tasks. There are a number of very important considerations when assessing if an SMSF is right for your needs. Outlined below are just some of the considerations:

1. Do you have enough money in the fund to accommodate the yearly running costs and ongoing expenses?
2. Are you fully aware of your legal obligations around an SMSF?
3. Do you have the time to manage the investments in your fund and monitor the investments regularly?
4. Do you have adequate insurance including life insurance, income protection, and permanent disability cover?
5. Are you able to follow the strict Australian Taxation Office (ATO) rules governing SMSFs?

Find Out More About Self-Managed Super Funds

Working with MBA Financial Strategists

Are you interested in chatting with one of our financial planners for personal financial advice? This is what you can expect:

1. An introductory meeting or workshop

At your first meeting, we will chat with you about your current situation, your goals, and your aspirations. We use this opportunity to get to know each other, gather initial information and determine whether we can meet your needs.

2. Define goals and financial position

The purpose of the second meeting is to go a bit deeper and identify your objectives, needs, and priorities. It’s also an opportunity to establish what specific advice you are seeking – and what it will cost. We are committed to being fully transparent about any costs, and will always discuss them with you upfront.

3. Analysis of your needs

Your MBA FS financial planner will analyse your needs, based on the information you have shared with us. This is an important part of the advice formulation process. Tailored financial planning strategies will also be evaluated and identified at this stage.

4. Plan development meeting

At this stage, your MBA FS financial planner will have developed comprehensive financial planning recommendations – along with products and services to implement the advice. The findings and recommendations will be presented to you at this meeting. We will clearly outline how the strategies and products work – and how they meet your individual needs.

5. Plan implementation

Your own individual plan is then implemented. At this stage, you will work closely with a Client Service Specialist to ensure your plan is activated efficiently and in line with your personal financial goals.

6. Periodic review

It is important to regularly review your financial plan to ensure it is continuing to meet your needs. Together, we will determine a suitable review regime to review and re-evaluate your plan.

7. Ethical and professional behaviour embedded in processes

MBA Financial Strategists place very high importance on ethics and professional behaviour. This code of practice is reflected in all our client contacts – from advisers to administration staff.

Contact a Financial Adviser

Our team of superannuation financial advisers are here to provide you with comprehensive financial advice to ensure you have complete peace of mind moving forward.

Looking for further information or wanting to make an appointment with our team of professionals? Get in touch by calling us on (08) 8357 3999 or book an appointment here.