In this video interview we’re diving into one of the most important – yet often overlooked – parts of retirement planning: how to actually draw down your super and other savings.

Access to franking credits is generally thought to make investing in Australian stocks more attractive. Does it follow that that Australian companies paying franked dividends offer higher after-tax returns as a consequence?

All super fund members who meet a relevant condition of release will be allowed to roll over into a retirement income solution, including an account-based pension, irrespective of their account balance, if Treasury’s proposed best practice principles for retirement income solutions are adopted.

The proportion of big bank shares in Australian superannuation accounts has become so dangerously high that it should be capped to protect savers from any sharp fall in the housing market, a major investment bank says.

Regulatory assessment of super fund’s retirement income strategies (RIS) is a near certainty. It is also essential for super funds to self-assess their RIS through the lens of continual improvement.

Here’s a fun game to play in your last month of work. Log into your super fund and try to find the form to start your retirement income. Now guess what it’s called.

The country’s corporate regulator says major financial services firms including Macquarie, AMP and Colonial First State need to do more to ensure that retirement savers are protected from complex, high-risk schemes hosted on their superannuation platforms.

The country’s $4.2 trillion retirement savings sector must urgently prioritise efforts to boost service standards for retirees and older Australians or risk stranding millions with a poorer quality of life in retirement, warn industry experts.

Super funds have a strong commercial incentive to scale their advice provision to prevent them from switching to one of the retail platforms, which have experienced significant inflows as a result of members leaving industry funds.

Today marks the third anniversary of the Retirement Income Covenant (RIC) taking effect. Three years in and there remains much to be done.

David Bell and Geoff Warren reflect on the recent Fiduciary Investors Symposium held in the Blue Mountains.

Investing for income is a strategy that involves investing for income while planning not to access the capital.

The DBFO Phase 2 reforms establish a foundation for provision of financial advice to members who would otherwise miss out.

Identifies a number of things that influence our behavior as we make financial decisions about retirement.

Australia’s circa $4 trillion super industry and its members were hit by a large and co-ordinated cyberattack that compromised thousands of accounts.

AustralianSuper has kept its position as the fastest growing super fund by net asset growth.

Australia’s largest superannuation fund, AustralianSuper, grew by more than any of its nearest rivals during the past financial year.

The superannuation system at large is heading towards balance after years of commercial- and regulatory-driven consolidation.

Insignia Financial lost the most retirement savings to rival superannuation providers as customers moved to industry funds and into self-management.

ASIC has made clear funds will have to lift their game when it comes to service standards.

Retirement represents a “key commercial thematic” for both profit-to-member and retail funds over the next 10 years.

When it comes to driving competitive superannuation flows, advisers are the kingmakers and HUB24 and Netwealth are wearing the crown.

It has taken more than five years, but the for-profit funds are finally back in the game as the not for profits increasingly struggle to service members nearing or in retirement.

CareSuper will merge with a rival retirement savings fund to create an industry superannuation giant.

While much of the focus is on investment decisions, behavioural influences can have an even greater effect on consumer decisions around their retirement.

ASIC chair Joe Longo has launched a major broadside at leaders of the superannuation industry that should send shockwaves across the sector.

Concerns that shortcomings in operational infrastructure are hindering the industry from delivering high quality retirement income strategies.

If asked about ways to improve Australia's retirement income system, which two things would you change or initiate? What is a quick win and a longer term or structural reform?

New research investigates the systemic impacts of the large and growing superannuation industry in Australia highlighting two main concerns.

Recognises the need for independent, evidence-based and non-partisan research in superannuation and retirement policy.

The superannuation sector's operational infrastructure is cause for concern.

The Grattan Institute has proposed direct government involvement to improve retiree outcomes and deliver government a better return on the substantial taxation incentives provided to superannuation.

Super funds have special privileges in how they can include unlisted assets in their portfolios. No other savings vehicle in Australia has this benefit.

The $3 trillion superannuation industry is “struggling with legacy systems and processes” that are “unsuitable for large financial ­organisations”.

The growth of super has been a major boon for Australia on balance. However, no system is perfect, and big super gives rise to issues and risks to be considered or addressed.

Super’s biggest problem likely lies within funds themselves, with many using legacy operational infrastructure ill-suited to the needs of the major financial organisations they’ve become.

The Conexus Institute in Australia has a Retirement Explainer Series of short papers, each focused on a specific aspect of retirement income.

The reliability of super funds’ status as the so-called shadow banks in the Australian economy has been called into question.

Remarks focus on governance, an area that is fundamental to roles as Chairs and an area of heightened interest to APRA.

Further retirement policy is required because current policy settings don’t provide clear expectations and facilitate laggard funds.

In new research Conexus Institute said that while the RBA and IMF had valid concerns about the size of funds, those risks could be managed and were not as significant as they first appeared.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ recently announced review of the Your Future Your Super (YFYS) performance test will be the fourth in five years.

With an eye to “taking the stress out of retirement”, the Grattan Institute has proposed that government become a provider of annuities and a “free, high-quality guidance service”.

The Grattan Institute’s report makes six recommendations that could help Australians navigate the tricky financial transition from accumulation to decumulation.

The Retirement Income Review and The Conexus Institute have also said that the adequacy of a lower SG rate for the public would also hinge on the ability of funds to deliver quality retirement income solutions.

Concerns raised about applicability of the Your Future Your Super performance test to account-based pension products.

Panel discussion on challenges super funds face on retirement. Right now, the retirement phase of superannuation does not work as well for members as it could, and certainly not as well as the accumulation phase.

Panel discussion on addressing the retirement challenge through the lens of a super fund. Requires an “uplift in advice processes” among super funds that will be “systems-led”.

Recent changes at the nation’s two largest super funds, AustralianSuper and Australian Retirement Trust signalling that funds are rethinking the multi-faceted retirement challenge and the management structure to support it.

It has to be asked: how will the retirement system initiatives announced by Treasurer Chalmers move along the many super funds that are lagging in the development of their retirement income strategies?

Complex member communication could deter people from engaging with their retirement savings, but for super funds, maintaining simplicity in their messages has become one of the most difficult things to do.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers has unveiled an extensive suite of policy reforms targeting the retirement phase of superannuation, including a legislative change that will allow funds to provide new retirement product features like money back guarantee.

It’s “quite realistic” that many super funds will take too long to build the basics of a retirement income strategy, and the system might need a licencing regime to make sure members are getting the best service.

Presentation at IBR Asset Allocation Strategies Forum, outlines the opportunities and challenges in unlisted assets. The entry ticket: excellent governance.

The IMF says that super funds’ chunky allocations to illiquid assets could be a danger to markets during stress events, but there’s little evidence to support their fears of systemic risk.

Presentation at IBR Post Retirement Australia, explores how best to create investment structures and portfolios for retirees.

Presentation at IBR Post Retirement Australia, outlines the case for a Retirement Licensing Regime as the key next step in the development of an effective retirement system.

Complex member communication could deter people from engaging with their retirement savings, but for super funds, maintaining simplicity in their messages has become one of the most difficult things to do.

We estimate that 50,000 Australians who are retiring over the next year may not be able to access an ABP because they do not meet minimum application requirements of their superannuation fund.

Superannuation funds are getting bigger, with major consequences for one sector in particular.

The country’s two largest superannuation funds, AustralianSuper and Australian Retirement Trust, are pulling away from rivals.

We estimate that 50,000 Australians who are retiring over the next year may not be able to access an ABP because they do not meet minimum application requirements of their superannuation fund.

A little-known administrative hurdle is prohibiting tens of thousands of poorer Australians from accessing tax-free account-based pensions, according to analysis by The Conexus Institute.

The grand bargain at the heart of Australia’s superannuation system, forfeiting wages to fund a tax-advantaged retirement, is potentially being undermined by a widespread but under-the-radar practice by superannuation funds.

Super Consumers Australia says the bonus is more like a tax payback – and you may even need to hand it back.

Funds need to keep moving forward to ensure that all retirees receive a suitable retirement strategy. We offer thoughts on how the industry might continue to progress.

Given every MySuper option passed the latest Your Future Your Super performance test, is the test effective and can it work more in members’ interests?

The latest round of Your Future Your Super performance test results have reignited debate about the test design and to what superannuation products the test should be applied to.

An update on current state of product labelling and asset categorisation identifies lack of consistency amongst funds and researchers.

The national effort to have superannuation funds do more to assist members transition to retirement has made progress over the past 12 months, but key policy and commercial challenges remain.