Nice to see this thread get back to superannuation, where it started.
IMHO I think Super is one of the biggest con-jobs ever foisted on the Australian people. There seems to be a mantra "put more in to Super", even if you are old, grey and retired. For heaven's sake, why? For minimal tax benefits, but to ensure that once it's in that incredibly complex and controlled system, the Government now controls your money. At Government's whim, it can change the tax situation, the withdrawal regulations etc.
And don't forget the big trap, the 15% tax on capital if you die without a dependent (and, no, adult kids don't count). Not to mention the management/accounting fees, be it in a retail or SM Fund
As a practical example, take our situation (self and wife). Retired from full time work 18 years ago, from part-time 13 years ago. At that point had around $750K plus a house. Since then have travelled overseas and interstate on many occasions (2 trips to Europe), updated our cars (currently 2004 Mazda 3, 2007 Suzuki SX4). Did the seachange thing, so new and better house for maybe $50K to make the move. But as we get older, our desire for travel, and our overall expenses seem to decrease, so we spend a lot less. Certainly our health costs have increased, but as we are now entitled to a small asset-tested part-age-pension, we get all the health benefits that go with a pensioner card. Just wish the family dog (who's now a "dog senior") got the same benefits - so far $700 a year in vet bills on average.
Anyway, we still find ourselves with $750K plus a house. I think the gain in value of the house would offset any decline in the purchasing power of the $75K, which got close to $1m before the GFC. Investments roughly 65% equities, 35% cash/fixed deposits.
As for the age pension being reduced or scrapped that's a lot of voters to upset. But it wouldn't surprise me to see the asset test reduced from its current level of $920K or so.
By the way, I pulled out every dollar I had in Super a couple of years back, for reasons given above. Absolutely no regrets. The current ability for over 60's to withdraw tax free is a "window of opportunity" that I didn't intend to miss.
Cheers, badger
IMHO I think Super is one of the biggest con-jobs ever foisted on the Australian people. There seems to be a mantra "put more in to Super", even if you are old, grey and retired. For heaven's sake, why? For minimal tax benefits, but to ensure that once it's in that incredibly complex and controlled system, the Government now controls your money. At Government's whim, it can change the tax situation, the withdrawal regulations etc.
And don't forget the big trap, the 15% tax on capital if you die without a dependent (and, no, adult kids don't count). Not to mention the management/accounting fees, be it in a retail or SM Fund
As a practical example, take our situation (self and wife). Retired from full time work 18 years ago, from part-time 13 years ago. At that point had around $750K plus a house. Since then have travelled overseas and interstate on many occasions (2 trips to Europe), updated our cars (currently 2004 Mazda 3, 2007 Suzuki SX4). Did the seachange thing, so new and better house for maybe $50K to make the move. But as we get older, our desire for travel, and our overall expenses seem to decrease, so we spend a lot less. Certainly our health costs have increased, but as we are now entitled to a small asset-tested part-age-pension, we get all the health benefits that go with a pensioner card. Just wish the family dog (who's now a "dog senior") got the same benefits - so far $700 a year in vet bills on average.
Anyway, we still find ourselves with $750K plus a house. I think the gain in value of the house would offset any decline in the purchasing power of the $75K, which got close to $1m before the GFC. Investments roughly 65% equities, 35% cash/fixed deposits.
As for the age pension being reduced or scrapped that's a lot of voters to upset. But it wouldn't surprise me to see the asset test reduced from its current level of $920K or so.
By the way, I pulled out every dollar I had in Super a couple of years back, for reasons given above. Absolutely no regrets. The current ability for over 60's to withdraw tax free is a "window of opportunity" that I didn't intend to miss.
Cheers, badger