Articles by
Barbara Drury
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Am I eligible for the Age Pension?
A common question for Australians planning their retirement is if, and when, they will be eligible for the Age Pension.
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Age Pension rates (March 2025 to September 2025)
Age Pension rates increased on 20 March 2025. This article also explains how the Age Pension works, and includes the latest Age Pension rates for residents, non-residents, and the transitional Age Pension.
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Age Pension assets test rules (from July 2025)
This article details the rules and limits of the Age Pension assets test (how much your savings and other assets are worth), which is one half of the means test (along with the income test) that determines how much Age Pension you could be eligible for.
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Age Pension income test rules (from July 2025)
A common question for those nearing or in retirement is “How much can a pensioner earn before it affects the pension?”.
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My retirement planning diary (Part 3): How much am I likely to spend in retirement?
It’s easy to obsess about your super balance in the run-up to retirement, but how much you have is meaningless unless you know what you need.
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Super funds of the year awards: Best super funds for 2025
Investment returns are important, but they are not the only feature that make a great super fund. Here are the funds that go above and beyond for their members.
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Pension fund of the year 2025: What makes a winner?
As more and more members move into retirement phase, innovation is slow, but a handful of funds are making all the right moves.
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Super fund mergers: What does it mean for members?
If your fund is involved in a merger, don’t panic. You could end up better off, but you do need to make sure your new fund is still a good fit.
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My retirement planning diary (Part 2): My super fund-amentals
After deciding I would retire this year, volatile global markets have forced me to review my plans. In part 2 of this series, I review my super investments and my approach to risk.
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How much does financial advice cost?
Many Australians who admit they need financial advice are reluctant to get it due to the perceived cost, but are they right? We look at what’s available and what it costs.
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Super pensions: Trends in payment frequency, flexibility, fees and more
Despite calls for more innovative pension products, most super funds are tinkering around the edges of their retirement offerings.
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My retirement planning diary (Part 1): Donald you shrunk my retirement!
After deciding I would retire this year, the current market turmoil has put a Trump-sized hole in my plans. If you’re in the same boat, come along for the ride as I review my situation over the coming months.
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Choosing a super fund: Does size really matter?
Size can be an advantage when it comes to economies of scale and investment clout, but big is not always better.
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Mind over matter: The psychology of retirement planning
Understanding how common behaviours and cognitive biases can short-change your retirement is the first step to taking control of your financial future.
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Pension fund performance to December 2024
Pension fund returns exceeded minimum withdrawal rates for most retirees in 2024, providing a buffer against volatile times ahead.
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How much super do I need to retire?
The good news is you probably don’t need anywhere near the $1 million often touted to retire in the style to which you have become accustomed. Here’s how to set your savings target.
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SMSF returns are competitive with large funds
While lagging the performance of large super funds some years, SMSFs have outperformed them over the longer term.
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Common ‘myth-conceptions’ about retirement income
Given the complexity of super and how it interacts with the Age Pension, it’s not surprising that misunderstandings abound. So let’s bust a few myths.
