Investor Education > Superannuation
WHAT IS SUPERANNUATION?
Superannuation is an excellent way to invest money for your retirement. It’s about planning a path for your future and making the most of your investment dollars to generate the income you will need once you retire. For many Australians, it is the key to a secure and financially independent retirement. If you are aged between 18 and 70 and earn more than $450 per month, your employer is generally required to contribute at least 9% of your salary to a complying super fund on your behalf, known as the Superannuation Guarantee.
Superannuation is one of the most tax-effective means of creating retirement wealth. Those who hold a super fund benefit from tax concessions that apply to contributions, to earnings within the fund and to the accumulated benefit. All contributions and investment returns are generally taxed at a flat rate of 15%, with capital gains on assets held for greater than 12 months taxed at 10%. For many people, an investment in super could outperform an equivalent investment outside super due to these tax benefits. As super is a long term investment where all earnings are reinvested and any returns compounded, the earlier you begin making decisions, the more effective your super will become upon retirement. In addition to all the tax advantages of investing in a super environment, you can access your super completely tax free after you turn 60.
A common misconception about super is that it is an investment asset but rather it is actually an investment framework within which you can invest in many different asset classes. Superannuation provides investors access to virtually the same menu of funds available outside of super all the while being taxed at a maximum 15%.