government

Superannuation

SISFA welcomes continuation of drawdown relief

The Small Independent Superannuation Funds Association (SISFA) says it is pleased with the Government's recent decision to continue drawdown relief for self-funded retire...

Policy & Regulation

Hope emerges for FOFA changes

The PJC has recommended key changes to Government legislation, providing hope it might act similarly on FOFA....

Financial planning

Annuities market tipped to reach $2 billion by end of year

The Australian annuities market is tipped to reach $2 billion by the end of the 2011 calendar year, making it the biggest-selling year for annuities since 2004, according...

Policy & Regulation

Cormann calls for FOFA delay

The Federal Opposition has called on the Government to delay the implementation of its FOFA legislation....

Policy & Regulation

Banks to carry BOLR can as FOFA drives out financial planners

Buyer of Last Resort arrangements entered into decades ago are returning to haunt some of the major financial services institutions as growing numbers of older financial ...

Superannuation

SISFA questions pause in cap superannuation indexing

Small Independent Superannuation Funds Association (SISFA) has questioned the Government's recent decision to pause indexation of the superannuation concessional contribu...

Editorial

When is it time to file for bankruptcy?

Troy Smith outlines what bankruptcy is, when it should be filed for and what income and assets would be available to creditors....

Financial planning

FOFA uncertainty and industry consolidation takes its toll on financial services

The tortuous progress of the FOFA reforms and ongoing industry consolidation has defined 2011 for the financial services sector, write Tim Stewart and Milana Pokrajac....

Editorial

The cost of playing by FOFA's rules

The second tranche of the Government's Future of Financial Advice legislation has laid out the remuneration and best interests ground rules for financial planners but, as...

Editorial

Financial planners end 2011 as they began it - uncertain

Australian financial planners seem destined to end 2011 in much the same fashion they ended 2010 - uncertain about the fine detail of the regulatory regime that will unde...

Policy & Regulation

FOFA cannot be separated from MySuper

The PJC has been warned that the availability of intra-fund financial advice makes it crucial the FOFA bills are viewed in the same context as MySuper....

Superannuation

Superannuation fund members baulk at financial advice costs

Superannuation fund members don't want to pay extra for financial advice they get over the phone or internet....

Superannuation

Opposition attacks MYEFO superannuation changes

Federal Opposition says Government has undermined retirement savings agenda with MYEFO superannuation cap changes....

Financial planning

Government extends pension drawdown relief

The Government yesterday announced an extension to the 25 per cent drawdown relief for account-based pensions for the 2012-13 financial year....

Superannuation

Govt removes superannuation guarantee age limit

The Government has amended its recent superannuation guarantee amendment bill to now abolish the age limit for compulsory contributions altogether. ...