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On Wednesday 2 April President Trump announced new Tariffs on other countries and trading blocks. These tariffs, which are effectively a tax on imports were to apply immediately.

There has been a noticeable change in the investment environment recently. The initial reaction to Trump’s election was positive, presumably with investors believing that the pro-growth policy in his first term would be broadly replicated.

As the US economy and policy can have a large influence on the investment environment, the outcomes of the US elections held on 5 November were seen as potentially significant for investment markets. Leading up to the day of the elections, most commentators expected a tight race, with betting markets favouring Donald Trump being elected presiden

It’s recommended to review your super at least once a year, and receiving your annual statement serves as a timely reminder for you to do so! So where do we start? Super may feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t need to be.

We have been working hard on the platform updates required to bring Active Super’s members onto our system, with the programming now almost complete and testing well underway.

On 1 July 2024, the super guarantee (SG) – the amount of super employers are required to pay their staff – rose to 11.5% of each employee’s earnings. However, employees at Swan Hill Rural City Council have benefitted from progressive increases in employer contributions since 2018 as part of a unique initiative designed to boost […]

During 2024 so far, the investment environment has been generally favourable, with most major equity markets experiencing moderate to strong gains. These gains have been underpinned by some improvement in profit growth and higher valuations. The US continues to have a large influence on the global investment environment. In that context, the progressive reduction in […]

As a dedicated employer, you strive to support your staff in every way possible, including helping them navigate their superannuation and retirement options. We understand that you want the best for your employees, which is why we want to remind you of the valuable resources available through Vision Super’s internal advice services. At Vision Super, […]

On 18 September, the Federal Government announced that payday super will be compulsory from 1 July 2026. Currently, superannuation guarantee (SG) contributions can be paid once a quarter. However, the new legislation aligns SG contributions with an employee’s pay cycle – meaning that each time you pay your employees their wages, you’ll need to pay […]

Like all businesses that hold people’s personal information, Vision Super has a responsibility to protect the privacy and integrity of all the data we hold on behalf of our members.

Global equity markets rose strongly in the quarter ending 30 September 2024, following robust performance in the first half of the year.

It’s recommended to review your super at least once a year, and receiving your annual statement serves as a timely reminder for you to do so! So where do we start? Super may feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t need to be.

It’s recommended to review your super at least once a year, and receiving your annual statement serves as a timely reminder for you to do so! So where do we start? Super may feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t need to be.

Global financial markets have been recently experiencing heightened volatility. On 2 and 5 August, share markets around the world fell sharply, with the Japanese equity market losing 17.5% of its value over these two days.

See what’s changing in property and infrastructure, Transition to retirement accounts, the PDSs and the retirement wage.

It’s been a busy time of year with end of financial year underway as well as a lot of merger activity.

Over the financial year ending 30 June 2024, global equity markets performed favourably.

Your EOFY investment update delivered differently

Climate change is a risk to your retirement savings, so we have to factor it into our decision-making about investments. According to the Reserve Bank of Australia in June 2023: “… climate risks will affect financial institutions via a number of channels. Physical risks from increased variability and extremity of climatic conditions will reduce the value […]

No one likes to think about what will happen when they die, so ensure you make a valid nomination

Some people believe they have to withdraw all their superannuation at once when they turn 65 and leave their super fund, but this isn’t generally true.

Switching jobs can be exciting but also challenging. Among the many considerations, you might wonder what to do with your superannuation savings. Luckily, it’s not very complicated.

No one likes to think about what will happen when they die, so ensure you make a valid nomination

The rules with a lifetime pension are a little different to other super accounts, in that there’s no need to worry about who your super will go to when you die.

No one likes to think about what will happen when they die, so ensure you make a valid nomination

With a defined benefit account, you have one less thing to worry about, as your super automatically goes to your estate.

Superannuation funds generally invest in assets that generate cash flow; for example, investments in property which provides a rental stream and potentially capital gains. Commodities do not generate cash flow, and this makes it more difficult to forecast their long-term expected returns. While less common, some superannuation funds also invest in commodities such as gold. However, most funds have indirect exposures to commodities through other areas of the portfolio, such as gold mining companies.

Vision Super’s accumulation Balanced growth option performed favourably, returning 4.59% in the quarter and 11.83% over a one-year period ending 31 March 2024 while the pension Balanced Growth option returned 5.07% in the quarter and 12.18% over one year to 31 March 2024.

As the end of the financial year approaches, it’s important to engage in some superannuation ‘housekeeping’ to ensure your financial future remains on track. Taking the time to review and optimise your super arrangements can yield significant benefits in the long run, but what should you look out for?

The winners of the Vision Super Local Heroes Awards were revealed at a gala awards ceremony that took place at the Victorian Trades Hall Council on Thursday 9 May. In partnership with the Australian Services Union (ASU), the Vision Super Local Heroes Awards recognise the outstanding contributions of local government workers. There were five awards […]

The team here at Vision Super is hard at work on end of financial year tasks, as well as continuing to work on all the other projects we have in progress, including the merger.

The Vision Super Defined Benefit plan has been closed to new members since 31 December 1993 and you may be wondering what you can do with your money – especially since a lot of information online is steered towards accumulation accounts.

There are some simple ways to help manage your money that can make a big difference in achieving your savings goals. From budgeting to investing in your super, here are our tips for getting on top of your finances. Track your spending Managing and saving money works best when you have a clear picture of […]

’Smishing’ (SMS phishing) is an attempt by cybercriminals to lure people into disclosing sensitive information or downloading malware onto their devices via text messages. They impersonate trusted entities or organisations like the ATO to deceive you into clicking on malicious links.

For most of us, our circumstances and financial commitments change over our lives. Most people would want their IP cover to be able to pay the rent or mortgage, and the monthly expenses and bills – and that changes as we move through life. It’s important to keep an eye on your IP and make sure it suits your lifestyle.

Central banks in the developed world continued increasing interest rates in 2023 as inflation remained higher than its targeted level.

Entering retirement is a significant life event, requiring thoughtful strategies to maximise the benefits of superannuation while maintaining a sustainable and fulfilling lifestyle. But with rising costs of living, that balance can be challenging. In this article, we explore how you can make the most of your super, while living within your means. Evaluate your […]

There are many practical ways you can optimise super contributions, stay informed about changes in superannuation policies, and be well-prepared for retirement.

Cultivating sound financial habits early on is crucial for building a great foundation of savings, particularly with the cost of living increasing.

DBs are valuable and can give you peace of mind about your retirement – but they can also be complex and difficult to understand. Here are the top 5 questions we get asked about our DB acccounts.

We’re pleased to announce the return of the Vision Super Local Heroes Awards for 2024, in partnership with the Australian Services Union (ASU).

If you’re receiving a payment from Centrelink and drawing from your superannuation via an income stream or lifetime pension, Vision Super will send Centrelink information directly to assist them in assessing your entitlements.

This article takes a brief look at recent developments in China.

We’re pleased to announce the return of the Vision Super Local Heroes Awards for 2024, in partnership with the Australian Services Union (ASU).

We’re pleased to announce the return of the Vision Super Local Heroes Awards for 2024, in partnership with the Australian Services Union (ASU).

In a world where financial security is a top priority, our educational, on demand content assists those seeking to improve their superannuation knowledge.

October was Cyber Security Awareness Month, a time for all Australians to improve our cyber security knowledge and take action to protect our information and devices from scams and fraud.

Global equity markets fell in the quarter ending 30 September 2023, following a period of robust performance in the first half of the year. Although inflation in the developed world has fallen from its peak, it is still elevated compared to central banks’ targets.

Spring is a busy time in the world of super – we’re preparing statements, writing our Annual report and preparations are underway for our Annual members’ meeting.

At the beginning of 2022, there was a large imbalance in global demand and supply, caused by surging demand alongside supply-chain issues. This resulted in elevated levels of inflation in many countries. Central banks, including the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA), responded by aggressively increasing interest rates with the aim of reducing demand growth to help moderate inflation.

Global equity markets have been relatively robust over the quarter and financial year amid a rising interest rate environment. Our Balanced Growth investment option returned 2.97% over the June 2023 quarter and 10.96% for the financial year.

Currently, women make up the majority of the part-time and casual workforce - and before 2022, many didn’t qualify for superannuation guarantee (SG) payments.

While retirement may seem far off if you're starting your career, it's never too early to start planning. One of the essential components to achieving a comfortable retirement is your superannuation. In this article, we'll cover the basics of super and how it can help you create the future you envision.

The start of July and the new financial year can provide a timely reminder to check in on your financial goals and well-being.

There are many different ways to invest your money. Your approach to investing might depend on your goals and objectives, age, financial situation, and risk appetite.

While AI is not a new concept, the recent development of generative AI may provide a material boost to productivity over the medium term. Generative AI involves “training” software on a designated set of data, which can be very large. Following the “training” phase, some generative AI software will respond to requests to create outputs such as text, images, videos, and audio. While there are a range of issues with some of the responses (e.g. errors), they tend to be far better than those produced by AI in the past.

If you’re an app user, you may have noticed the introduction of two-factor authentication, an important change to our security processes, when you logged in to your Vision Super online account using your computer late last year.   Two-factor authentication helps to provide enhanced security of your details and the privacy of your account. It’s […]

We must receive your complete and accurate requests, including any supporting information, before the deadlines below to complete the transactions before 30 June 2023.

Some changes are coming to super that will affect employers. We can help you understand the impact they’ll have on how you manage your obligations when it comes to stapling and some of the legislative changes the government announced in the Federal Budget, including the requirement to pay SG contributions at the same time as wages from 1 July 2026.

Last month, we celebrated our second Vision Super Local Heroes Awards. In partnership with Australian Services Union, the Vision Super Local Heroes Awards recognises local government workers for their outstanding contributions to their communities.

Investment markets generally had a strong start to the year following double digit losses in some major equity and bond markets in 2022. Overall, our Balanced growth investment option (the MySuper option) returned 4.47% during the March 2023 quarter.

Retirement is a significant life event that many of us look forward to with great anticipation. It's a time to relax, enjoy the fruits of your labour, and spend time with family and friends. However, unexpected early retirement can throw a spanner in your retirement plans and leave you feeling unprepared.

It may be fast approaching or still a way off, but it’s always the right time to start thinking about the future you deserve. Whatever your situation, it’s important to think about what you want in retirement – so you can confidently enter the next stage of your life.

How do you envision your ideal retirement? Perhaps it involves globe-trotting, cherishing moments with your grandchildren, or pursuing a beloved pastime. If you're contemplating retirement, you might be making progress toward a sound financial future, or there may be additional measures you need to take. The following are some essential steps you can take to set yourself on the path to success.

During the month of March, three regional banks in the US failed; among them Silicon Valley Bank (SVB), which was the second-largest bank failure in US history. These events triggered some panic and volatility in the market, reflecting less confidence in the US banking system. The concerns were not limited to the US but has also affected other parts of the globe, with Credit Suisse, a major European investment bank, being purchased by UBS.

Australia continues to experience high inflation, while some other developed countries, such as the United States, have started to experience falling inflation (from elevated levels).

From an investment perspective, the main theme of 2022 was much higher than expected inflation, resulting in interest rates rising sharply from very low levels. High inflation caused both share market and bond market prices to experience substantial falls. These falls followed large share market gains in 2021.

As scams and fraud continue to rise in Australia, there’s never been a more important time to monitor and keep your super safe. We work hard to keep your super, and personal information protected and have strict security measures in place, but there are extra things you can do to reduce the risk of fraud on your account.

Downsizing from the family home is a popular way to scale back and access extra money for many Australians. The Downsizer Contribution Scheme allows you to use proceeds from the sale of your home to boost your super balance and increase your income in retirement.

We had a successful end to the year in 2022, with Rainmaker naming Vision Super’s Balanced growth as a top ten MySuper investment option over three years for the period ending 30 November 2022...

COVID-19 was first identified in China around three years ago and the outbreak of the virus has resulted in a global pandemic. China continues to grapple with how to manage the virus and has been enforcing tight restrictions as part of its ‘dynamic-zero’ Covid policy. The stringent approach has kept reported cases and deaths low at the expense of a slowing economy.

For most of the time since the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) adopted an inflation target of 2% to 3%, inflation in Australia has been well controlled. That is not the case now. This has important implications for interest rates, housing, and the broader economy.

Vision Super is aware of recent data breaches such as the one involving Optus customer information. Our teams are engaged in heightened monitoring to minimise any impact to those members who may have been affected by this breach. We encourage all members to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to Vision Super immediately.

It was a tough quarter for investors. Rapidly rising interest rates and concerns on economic growth resulted in losses in both the equities and bonds markets. Overall, our Balanced growth investment option (for accumulation) returned negative 0.38% during the September 2022 quarter.

Member statements might be full of terms you may be unfamiliar with, so it’s important you understand the key points to ensure your retirement savings are on track. To view your statement, log in online here, click on “Account” and “Annual statement”. There you will find this year’s annual statement, and statements from previous years […]

The proxy voting season for many global equity markets was from March to June this year, so it’s an opportune time to reflect on overall global trends. At Vision Super, we actively vote our shareholdings as we believe that good corporate governance creates a strong base that can enable a company to generate long-term investment value for shareholders.

Vision Super is announcing that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Active Super, to explore a potential merger.

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As the end of the financial year approaches, it’s important to engage in some superannuation ‘housekeeping’ to ensure your financial future remains on track. Taking the time to review and optimise your super arrangements can yield significant benefits in the long run, but what should you look out for?