government and regulation

Superannuation

CSSA backs wholesale remuneration solution

Corporate superannuation specialists are urging the Federal Government to make employers using the funds wholesale rather than retail clients, to remove conflicts for adv...

Financial planning

Planner concern at higher regulatory costs

The FPA is concerned that Budget cuts impacting ASIC may, in turn, impact planners in higher costs....

Superannuation

Employers in the dark on super reporting changes

Most employers are not up to speed on streamlined superannuation reporting, despite it being a little over a month away....

Financial planning

Planning may be hit by Budget user-pays

A Budget user-pays approach to financial services regulation could hit licensee and other planning costs....

Superannuation

No provision made for communicating on defaults

The Department of Employment has acknowledged that no provision has been made for communicating default fund outcomes to employers....

Superannuation

Retirees’ cost of living rises

Saving for retirement has become all the more pertinent as expenditure for couples looking for a ‘comfortable’ retirement rose by 0.3 per cent to $57,817 a year in the Ma...

Policy & Regulation

Government levies could promote tax avoidance: accountant

Some of the Federal Government’s proposed new levies could foster tax avoidance by increasing perceived inequality, an accountant believes. ...

Financial planning

Regulation becomes top risk for businesses

Regulatory and legislative change has become the biggest threat to Australian businesses, an Aon risk survey has revealed. ...

Superannuation

Final MySuper legislation delay “sensible”: AIST

Superannuation industry bodies have welcomed the deferral of the start date for the choice product dashboard by 12 months. ...

Superannuation

AIST slams “ad hoc” age pension changes

The Australian Institute of Superannuation Trustees (AIST) has expressed its concern over the Federal Government’s “ad hoc” decision on retirement income policy....

Policy & Regulation

Smartphone tax returns ready this year

The Coalition is rolling out simplified and “substantially pre-prepared” tax forms allowing Australian residents to lodge returns from a smartphone or tablet device. ...

Financial planning

ATO closes door on dividend washing

The ATO has issued a public ruling which it claims removes any doubt about dividend washing being out of bounds....

Superannuation

FSC backs Commission of Audit on super preservation

FSC backs Commission of Audit recommendations on narrowing the gap between the age pension and the super preservation age....

Superannuation

Age pension and super need “holistic” view: ASFA

The Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia said the government needs to take a long-term view when tinkering with the age pension and superannuation systems...