✔ The Australian Taxation Office, which is the SMSF regulator, is more commonly known as the ATO so I use ‘ATO’ in most instances throughout the book.
✔ My free website SuperGuide (www.superguide.com.au) is mentioned throughout the book as an up-to-date reference on the DIY super rules, and as a second resource for those who wish to delve into a general super topic in more detail, such as working out how much money you need for retirement, or insurance, or the effect of your super benefits on your Age Pension entitlements (although I cover this topic in this book too).
Foolish Assumptions
If you’re reading this book, I assume that you run your own super fund, or you’re considering running your own fund. I also assume that a few financial advisers and accountants may be flicking through the pages of this book, and even the occasional regulator or politician. Hope you enjoy the read!
You no doubt want a book that provides a warts-and-all look at DIY super, and that gives you the simple facts on the subject in an easy-to-read format. It’s also likely that you don’t want to get bogged down with terminology but you may need to get on top of some super terms, which are clearly explained throughout this book and in the glossary as well. (Jump online to www.dummies.com/go/diysuperaufd to download this book’s glossary for free.)
My final and most important assumption involves the issue of independence. It’s a strong probability that you want an independent view on DIY super, from someone who knows a lot about super but doesn’t make a living from setting up DIY super funds and, significantly, runs her own super fund, which is what this book gives you.
Icons Used in This Book
Everything in this book is worthwhile reading, but some paragraphs jump out at you as an important piece of information to remember or a handy tip to help you with your super.
In the margins of the book, you can find the following icons marking certain paragraphs containing that kind of special information.
Here’s what they mean:
Beyond the Book
I hope you enjoy DIY Super For Dummies, 3rd Australian Edition, and find it useful when running your self-managed super fund, or considering setting up a SMSF.
This book is a solid base for your DIY super education, and in addition this book comes with some web-based resources that you can access at any time. Check out our free Cheat Sheet at www.dummies.com/cheatsheet/diysuperau where you can refer to handy checklists helping you with retirement planning, superannuation terminology, making super contributions and other information sources.
For complimentary companion articles to this book, you can visit www.dummies.com/extras/diysuperau. And www.dummies.com/go/diysuperaufd to download the glossary for free.
If you’re seeking the latest super thresholds or updated information on changes to the super laws since this book was published, you can access this information by visiting my free website, SuperGuide (www.superguide.com.au).
Where to Go from Here
You’re ready to use DIY Super For Dummies, 3rd Australian Edition. Find what you’re looking for in the Contents at a Glance – a list of all the chapters in the book – or head directly to the Table of Contents, which breaks down the structure of each chapter.
Make DIY Super For Dummies, 3rd Australian Edition work for you. You can open any page and easily find your way around the book. If you’re just beginning your DIY super education, Chapter 1 is an excellent starting point, and read straight through if you like. Alternatively, as a warm-up you can begin with Chapter 3, and discover how much money you need to live a comfortable life in retirement.
If you already run your own super fund, you may be one of the many readers who want to head straight to Part IV, to check that you’re making the most of your fund’s investment opportunities.
And if you’re close to retirement, then Part V can take you through the issues you need to consider when paying a super benefit from your DIY super fund (and if you’re under 60, what you need to do to ensure that your super benefit is tax-free).
The decision is up to you. No matter how you go about reading the information provided here, I hope you enjoy, and also profit by, what you find in this book.
Part I
Taking Control of Your Super
✔ Understand why super exists, and why the super fund you choose is so important.
✔ Decide whether a DIY super fund is for you, and explore whether you’re up for the compliance and investment challenges.
✔ Explore the most popular question in super – how much money is enough to deliver you a comfortable lifestyle in retirement?
✔ Learn about the two types of super contributions, and determine when, and how much, to contribute to your DIY super fund.
✔ Appreciate the different experts available to help you with your DIY super fund.
Chapter 1
Is DIY Super Right for You?
In This