array(1) { [0]=> &object(stdClass)#5135 (52) { ["id"]=> string(5) "15670" ["title"]=> string(37) "Capitalising on the COVID-19 pandemic" ["alias"]=> string(37) "capitalising-on-the-covid-19-pandemic" ["introtext"]=> string(208) "

More time at home means many Australians now have the opportunity to re-assess their lifestyle and spending habits and set some serious saving goals. So how can you actually go about it?

" ["fulltext"]=> string(1236) "

In this episode of The nestegg Podcast, host Grace Ormsby is joined by Melbourne-based Reventon’s Billie Christofi to talk all things finance and the impact of isolation on our hip pockets.

In stage 4 lockdown, Billie shares the importance of going back to basics when it comes to budgeting, methods to re-assess spending habits, and some of the less conventional ways people can boost their wealth at this time.

Thanks Billie, for sharing your insights with the nestegg podcast team!

Have an investment story to share? Get in touch at [email protected] and you might get featured on an upcoming episode!

" ["checked_out"]=> string(1) "0" ["checked_out_time"]=> string(19) "0000-00-00 00:00:00" ["catid"]=> string(3) "302" ["created"]=> string(19) "2020-09-01 07:00:26" ["created_by"]=> string(4) "2386" ["created_by_alias"]=> string(0) "" ["state"]=> string(1) "1" ["modified"]=> string(19) "2020-09-02 02:50:12" ["modified_by"]=> string(4) "2386" ["modified_by_name"]=> string(12) "Grace Ormsby" ["publish_up"]=> string(19) "2020-09-02 02:50:12" ["publish_down"]=> string(19) "0000-00-00 00:00:00" ["images"]=> string(218) "{"image_intro":"images\/podcasts\/Billie_Christofi_WEB_ne.jpg","float_intro":"","image_intro_alt":"","image_intro_caption":"","image_fulltext":"","float_fulltext":"","image_fulltext_alt":"","image_fulltext_caption":""}" ["urls"]=> string(121) "{"urla":false,"urlatext":"","targeta":"","urlb":false,"urlbtext":"","targetb":"","urlc":false,"urlctext":"","targetc":""}" ["attribs"]=> string(782) "{"article_layout":"","show_title":"","link_titles":"","show_tags":"","show_intro":"","info_block_position":"","info_block_show_title":"","show_category":"","link_category":"","show_parent_category":"","link_parent_category":"","show_associations":"","show_author":"","link_author":"","show_create_date":"","show_modify_date":"","show_publish_date":"","show_item_navigation":"","show_icons":"","show_print_icon":"","show_email_icon":"","show_vote":"","show_hits":"","show_noauth":"","urls_position":"","alternative_readmore":"","article_page_title":"","video_url":"","channel_id":"UCLBR-2LtTtui_WiRuEfW3qA","show_publishing_options":"","show_article_options":"","show_urls_images_backend":"","show_urls_images_frontend":"","send":"0","test":"0","readingDiff":"3","canonical_link":""}" ["metadata"]=> string(68) "{"robots":"","author":"","rights":"","xreference":"","metatitle":""}" ["metakey"]=> string(105) "podcast, savings, financial goals, financial freedom, lockdown, pandemic, wealth, wealth creation, saving" ["metadesc"]=> string(186) "More time at home means many Australians now have the opportunity to re-assess their lifestyle and spending habits and set some serious saving goals. So how can you actually go about it?" ["access"]=> string(1) "1" ["hits"]=> string(4) "1879" ["xreference"]=> string(0) "" ["featured"]=> string(1) "0" ["language"]=> string(1) "*" ["readmore"]=> string(4) "1236" ["ordering"]=> string(1) "0" ["category_title"]=> string(7) "Podcast" ["category_route"]=> string(17) "resources/podcast" ["category_access"]=> string(1) "1" ["category_alias"]=> string(7) "podcast" ["published"]=> string(1) "1" ["parents_published"]=> string(1) "1" ["lft"]=> string(2) "82" ["author"]=> string(12) "Grace Ormsby" ["author_email"]=> string(33) "[email protected]" ["parent_title"]=> string(9) "Resources" ["parent_id"]=> string(3) "300" ["parent_route"]=> string(9) "resources" ["parent_alias"]=> string(9) "resources" ["alternative_readmore"]=> NULL ["layout"]=> NULL ["params"]=> object(Joomla\Registry\Registry)#5299 (3) { ["data":protected]=> object(stdClass)#5283 (95) { ["article_layout"]=> string(14) "momentum:newne" ["show_title"]=> string(1) "1" ["link_titles"]=> string(1) "1" ["show_intro"]=> string(1) "0" ["info_block_position"]=> string(1) "0" ["info_block_show_title"]=> string(1) "1" ["show_category"]=> string(1) "1" ["link_category"]=> string(1) "1" ["show_parent_category"]=> string(1) "0" ["link_parent_category"]=> string(1) "0" ["show_associations"]=> string(1) "0" ["flags"]=> string(1) "1" ["show_author"]=> string(1) "1" ["link_author"]=> string(1) "0" ["show_create_date"]=> string(1) "0" ["show_modify_date"]=> string(1) "1" ["show_publish_date"]=> string(1) "1" ["show_item_navigation"]=> string(1) "1" ["show_vote"]=> string(1) "1" ["show_readmore"]=> string(1) "1" ["show_readmore_title"]=> string(1) "1" ["readmore_limit"]=> string(3) "100" ["show_tags"]=> string(1) "0" ["show_icons"]=> string(1) "1" ["show_print_icon"]=> string(1) "1" ["show_email_icon"]=> string(1) "1" ["show_hits"]=> string(1) "1" ["record_hits"]=> string(1) "1" ["show_noauth"]=> string(1) "0" ["urls_position"]=> string(1) "0" ["captcha"]=> string(0) "" ["show_publishing_options"]=> string(1) "1" ["show_article_options"]=> string(1) "1" ["save_history"]=> string(1) "1" ["history_limit"]=> int(10) ["show_urls_images_frontend"]=> string(1) "0" ["show_urls_images_backend"]=> string(1) "1" ["targeta"]=> int(0) ["targetb"]=> int(0) ["targetc"]=> int(0) ["float_intro"]=> string(4) "left" ["float_fulltext"]=> string(5) "right" ["category_layout"]=> string(14) "momentum:newne" ["show_category_heading_title_text"]=> string(1) "1" ["show_category_title"]=> string(1) "1" ["show_description"]=> string(1) "0" ["show_description_image"]=> string(1) "0" ["maxLevel"]=> string(2) "-1" ["show_empty_categories"]=> string(1) "0" ["show_no_articles"]=> string(1) "1" ["show_subcat_desc"]=> string(1) "1" ["show_cat_num_articles"]=> string(1) "0" ["show_cat_tags"]=> string(1) "1" ["show_base_description"]=> string(1) "1" ["maxLevelcat"]=> string(2) "-1" ["show_empty_categories_cat"]=> string(1) "0" ["show_subcat_desc_cat"]=> string(1) "1" ["show_cat_num_articles_cat"]=> string(1) "1" ["num_leading_articles"]=> string(2) "14" ["num_intro_articles"]=> string(1) "0" ["num_columns"]=> string(1) "0" ["num_links"]=> string(1) "0" ["multi_column_order"]=> string(1) "0" ["show_subcategory_content"]=> string(2) "-1" ["show_pagination_limit"]=> string(1) "0" ["filter_field"]=> string(4) "hide" ["show_headings"]=> string(1) "1" ["list_show_date"]=> string(9) "published" ["date_format"]=> string(0) "" ["list_show_hits"]=> string(1) "0" ["list_show_author"]=> string(1) "1" ["orderby_pri"]=> string(4) "none" ["orderby_sec"]=> string(5) "rdate" ["order_date"]=> string(9) "published" ["show_pagination"]=> string(1) "2" ["show_pagination_results"]=> string(1) "1" ["show_featured"]=> string(4) "show" ["show_feed_link"]=> string(1) "1" ["feed_summary"]=> string(1) "0" ["feed_show_readmore"]=> string(1) "0" ["sef_advanced"]=> int(1) ["sef_ids"]=> int(1) ["custom_fields_enable"]=> string(1) "1" ["show_page_heading"]=> NULL ["layout_type"]=> string(4) "blog" ["menu_text"]=> int(1) ["menu_show"]=> int(1) ["page_title"]=> string(70) "Retirement - Strategies and Guides for your Retirement Goals | nestegg" ["menu-meta_description"]=> string(191) "We all want to enjoy our retirement, so Nest Egg has compiled a dedicated section to superannuation options, retirement planning, and what you can do to get the most out of your golden years." ["secure"]=> int(0) ["page_description"]=> string(7) "nestegg" ["page_rights"]=> NULL ["robots"]=> NULL ["page_heading"]=> string(70) "Retirement - Strategies and Guides for your Retirement Goals | nestegg" ["access-view"]=> bool(true) } ["initialized":protected]=> bool(true) ["separator"]=> string(1) "." } ["displayDate"]=> string(19) "2020-09-02 02:50:12" ["slug"]=> string(43) "15670:capitalising-on-the-covid-19-pandemic" ["catslug"]=> string(11) "302:podcast" ["link"]=> string(56) "/resources/podcast/capitalising-on-the-covid-19-pandemic" ["image"]=> string(43) "images/podcasts/Billie_Christofi_WEB_ne.jpg" ["image_alt"]=> string(0) "" } }

Latest Podcast

Capitalising on the COVID-19 pandemic...

Resources

There is $17.5 billion in lost and unclaimed super across ...

Retirement

Why and when should I start a pension?

By Doug McBirnie, Accurium

February 25 2016
Share

Retirement

Why and when should I start a pension?

By Doug McBirnie, Accurium
February 25 2016

A pension is a superannuation product that allows you to draw a regular income from your accumulated superannuation savings.

Why and when should I start a pension?

By Doug McBirnie, Accurium

February 25 2016
Share

A pension is a superannuation product that allows you to draw a regular income from your accumulated superannuation savings.

It is a common strategy to access your superannuation savings in retirement in the form of a pension. Drawing a pension has specific tax benefits compared to withdrawing superannuation as a lump sum:

Payments taken from a pension are tax free to those over 60;
Income earned on assets in pension phase is tax free to the superannuation fund.

Whether you are allowed to start a pension will depend on whether you have met a condition of release. These conditions apply to ensure superannuation is used solely for the purpose of funding retirement and generally relate to your age and working status.

For example, an individual born before 1 July 1960 who ceased employment at age 55, with no intention to work again, would meet a condition of release to start a pension. You can start a pension when you reach age 65, even if you haven’t retired.

You can also choose to start a ‘transition to retirement’ pension when you are not fully retired to supplement your income as you reduce your hours in employment.

There are a number of steps you must complete to start a pension as well as a number of ongoing compliance requirements.

Assuming a condition of release has been met you can choose to start a pension at any date during the year, and you can have more than one pension in your SMSF. You cannot, however, add to a pension through making more contributions, or change the terms of the pension, once it has commenced.

To start the pension you need to complete appropriate pension documentation to set the terms of the pension. This includes deciding whether the pension will revert to your spouse when you pass away and revaluing the fund assets so you know the value of the pension.

Each financial year you will need to draw a minimum amount from your pension in order to comply with the pension standards. These minimum pension drawings are set out in legislation and are a proportion of the account balance at the start of each financial year. For example, a 55 year old would need to draw a minimum of four per cent of the account balance in order to comply with the pension standards. If you are receiving a transition to retirement pension you also have a maximum amount you can withdraw each year. The maximum is equal to 10 per cent of the pension account balance at the start of the financial year.

If you are a receiving a pension from your SMSF you will be required to calculate the Exempt Current Pension Income (ECPI) of the fund each financial year. This is the income earned on the assets supporting that pension and is exempt from tax. It must be reported in the SMSF's annual return. If your SMSF has a combination of pensions and accumulation assets, you may require an actuarial certificate each year to assist you in calculating ECPI.

Doug McBirnie, senior actuary, Accurium

Forward this article to a friend. Follow us on Linkedin. Join us on Facebook. Find us on Twitter for the latest updates

Rate the article

Retirement Planning

Retirement time bomb requires complex thinking

The majority of Australia’s super assets now sit in the hands of retirees and pre-retirees, but many require more nuanced investment strategies to achieve the lifestyle they want in retirement, a ne...Read more

Retirement Planning

Why some Millennials are struggling to save for retirement

Millennials are struggling to save for retirement as they face challenges that are different from other generations. What are these reasons? ...Read more

Retirement Planning

Retirement Income Review cornerstone ‘not for everyone’

Despite being the cornerstone of the Retirement Income Review, an expert has highlighted that downsizing and withdrawing equity from a property might not be the solution for all older Australians. ...Read more

Retirement Planning

Effective tips that can help Millennials retire faster

Millennials have changed the cultural and societal landscapes of the world. This is unsurprising, given the fact that they are the best educated and most diverse generation in history. ...Read more

Retirement Planning

What you need to know to get ahead financially

Australians looking to get ahead are being advised to analyse their financial situation, set financial goals and reduce debt whenever possible. ...Read more

Retirement Planning

How to adjust your wealth strategy during COVID

Investors are being urged to be conservative about spending, reduce debt and be careful of assets that are supported by government spending, as they look to adjust their wealth strategies during the f...Read more

Retirement Planning

Should older Australians downsize their property?

Older Australians face the dilemma of not being confident about their retirement outcomes, but are among the wealthiest retirees in the world due to a large proportion of their wealth being tied up i...Read more

Retirement Planning

Self-funded retirees ‘hung out to dry’ by 2020 budget

The Association of Independent Retirees has slammed last night’s federal budget release, accusing the government of overlooking older Australians in its post-COVID-19 recovery plans. ...Read more

Listen