Financial StrategyArticles
In-depth articles about investing, superannuation, tax planning, and wealth creation strategies. Expert insights to help you make smarter financial decisions.
Latest Articles
Explore our collection of financial strategy articles and insights
54 articles
Is Superannuation Splitting Taxable After Divorce?
Learn whether super splitting is taxable after divorce, how preservation rules work, what happens to the receiving spouse and why tax components matter.
Divorce and SMSFs: What Happens to the Fund?
Learn what can happen to an SMSF after divorce, including trustee issues, asset values, liquidity, tax, investment strategy and fund restructuring.
Superannuation Splitting Orders Explained
Learn what a superannuation splitting order is, how fixed amount and percentage splits work, what the fund does, and what to check before signing.
How to Protect Your Super in Divorce
Learn how to protect your super position during divorce, what not to do, what to check before signing, and why legal and financial advice both matter.
Is Super Split 50/50 in Divorce in Australia?
Super is not automatically split 50/50 in divorce. Learn how super may be split, offset against other assets and what to check before agreeing.
Divorce and Superannuation in Australia: How Super Is Split
Learn how super is treated after divorce in Australia, including splitting, tax, SMSFs, preservation rules and what to check before signing an agreement.
How to Make a Downsizer Contribution: Forms & 90-Day Rule
Learn how to make a downsizer contribution, including timing, the 90-day rule, ATO form requirements, and practical steps after settlement.
Downsizer Contribution Pros and Cons: Benefits & Traps
Learn the main pros and cons of downsizer contributions, including tax treatment, super rules, Age Pension issues, and common planning traps.
Downsizer Contribution in Pension Phase: What to Know
Already started a retirement income stream? Learn how downsizer contributions can interact with pension phase, TSB, and transfer balance cap rules.
Downsizer Contribution Eligibility: Who Can Use It?
Learn who is eligible for a downsizer contribution, including the age rule, 10-year ownership rule, spouse rules, and common mistakes.
Downsizer Contribution to Super: Rules, Eligibility & Traps
Learn how downsizer contributions work, who is eligible, how much you can contribute to super, timing rules, tax treatment, and key traps.
FHSS Withdrawal — How to Release Your Super (Step by Step)
FHSS withdrawal steps: request a determination, then a release, then sign your contract within 12 months. Get the order wrong and you'll face extra tax.
FHSS Eligibility: Who Qualifies and What Contributions Count
FHSS eligibility has two parts: who qualifies and what contributions count. Here are the key rules to check before relying on the scheme.
Is the FHSS Scheme Worth It? Pros, Cons and How to Decide
The FHSS scheme can help some first home buyers save tax, but it is not always worth the effort. Here is how to decide if it fits.
First Home Super Saver Scheme (FHSS) Explained — 2026–27
Save up to $50,000 for your first home through super and pay just 15% tax instead of your marginal rate. How the FHSS scheme works, eligibility, and limits.
What Happens If Negative Gearing Is Abolished?
Learn what could happen if negative gearing is abolished or changed in Australia, including impacts on investors, tax, cash flow, and property decisions.
Negative Gearing vs Positive Gearing: What’s the Difference?
Learn the difference between negative and positive gearing in Australia, how each affects cash flow and tax, and when each may make sense.
Negative Gearing Example Australia: Property Scenario
See a simple negative gearing example in Australia with rent, expenses, tax effect, and why the deduction still does not eliminate the loss.
Is Negative Gearing Worth It? Pros, Cons and Common Mistakes
Learn when negative gearing may or may not be worth it in Australia, the main pros and cons, and the common mistakes property investors make.
Negative Gearing in Australia: What It Is and How It Works
Learn what negative gearing means in Australia, how it works on an investment property, the tax effect, and when it may or may not make sense.
Catch Up Concessional Contributions Expiry: 5-Year Rule
Understand when unused concessional cap amounts expire, how the five-year carry-forward window works, which years roll off in 2025–26 and ATO rules.
Catch Up Concessional Contributions and Tax Deductions
How catch-up concessional contributions work with personal deductible super, what counts towards the cap, timing traps and what to check before claiming.
Check Unused Concessional Contributions in myGov (2025–26)
Log into myGov → ATO Online → Super → Carry forward. Here's exactly where to find your unused concessional cap and how to read the numbers correctly.
Excess Concessional Contributions — What Happens (ATO Guide)
Exceed the $32,500 cap? The excess is added to your income and taxed at your marginal rate, with a 15% offset. You can elect to release 85% from super.
Catch Up Concessional Contributions (Australia)
Clear guide to catch up concessional contributions in Australia, including eligibility, how caps apply, expiry rules, tax impact, and how to avoid mistakes.
Recontribution Strategy in Pension Phase
Clear guide to doing a recontribution strategy in pension phase, including what happens to components, accumulation vs pension, and how pension refresh works.
How Much Tax Do Adult Children Pay on Super?
Clear guide to super death benefits tax in Australia for adult children, including tax rates, taxable vs tax free components, and a worked example.
Tax Free vs Taxable Components of Super Explained
Clear guide to tax free and taxable components of super in Australia, including how components are created, the proportioning rule, and why it matters.
Recontribution Strategy Age Limits: 60, 65 and 75+
Clear guide to recontribution strategy age limits in Australia, including when you can withdraw super, recontribute it, and what changes after age 75.
Recontribution Strategy Example (How the Numbers Work)
Step by step example showing how a super recontribution strategy can increase the tax free component of super and potentially reduce death benefits tax.
Superannuation Recontribution Strategy: 2026 Guide
Clear guide to the superannuation recontribution strategy in Australia including how it works, contribution limits, tax benefits and eligibility.
Contribution Splitting Explained: How the 85% Rule Works
Clear guide to super contribution splitting in Australia, including eligible contributions, the 85% rule, timing, caps, and how to apply through your fund.
Spouse Super vs Contribution Splitting: Differences
Clear comparison of spouse super contributions and contribution splitting in Australia: tax offset eligibility, caps, timing rules and when each suits.
Spouse Super Contributions — $540 Tax Offset (2026–27)
Contribute to your spouse's super and claim up to $540 in tax offset. Spouse must earn under $40,000. Full eligibility rules and how to claim for 2026–27.
Super Co-Contribution vs LISTO: Differences (2026–27)
Clear comparison of the super co-contribution and LISTO for 2026–27, including eligibility rules, income thresholds, and whether you can receive both.
How to Claim the Super Co-Contribution 2026–27
Step-by-step guide to how the super co-contribution is paid in 2026–27, including whether you need to apply, deadlines, and when the ATO pays it.
TTR vs Account Based Pension: What Changes When You Retire?
TTR vs account based pension explained clearly. Compare tax, withdrawal limits and retirement phase rules in Australia.
How an Account Based Pension Affects the Age Pension
How an account based pension is assessed under the Age Pension assets and income tests. Clear explanation of deeming and key rules.
Can You Add Money to an Account Based Pension?
Can you add money to an account based pension? Clear explanation of the rules, what happens to new contributions and practical options.
Account Based Pension vs Lump Sum: What’s the Difference?
Account based pension vs lump sum explained clearly. Compare tax, flexibility, longevity risk and when each option may make sense.
Account Based Pension Minimum Drawdown Rates 2026–27
Account based pension minimum drawdown rates for 2026–27: 4% under 65, 5% at 65–74, 6% at 75–79 and up. Includes pro-rata rules and penalties.
Account Based Pension Explained (Australia)
Clear guide to how an account based pension works in Australia, including tax, minimum drawdowns, transfer balance cap and Age Pension impact.
How Salary Sacrifice Works With a TTR Strategy
How salary sacrifice works with a TTR pension in 2026–27, using the $32,500 concessional cap, 12% SG and a complete baseline versus TTR calculation.
What Happens to a TTR Pension at Age 65?
At 65 a TTR moves automatically into retirement phase, the 10% cap ends, and the $2.1 million general transfer balance cap can apply. How minimum payments are timed.
Tax on a Transition to Retirement Pension Explained
How tax works on a TTR pension in 2026–27: fund earnings taxed at up to 15 percent, generally tax-free payments from age 60, and retirement-phase rules.
TTR Minimum & Maximum Drawdown Rates: 2026–27 Rules
TTR pension minimum is usually 4% under 65 and the maximum is 10%. First-year amounts use commencement-day figures, not always 1 July. Worked examples for 2026–27.
Paying Division 293 From Super: How the Election Works
Learn how paying Division 293 from super works, including the 60 day election window, due dates, and pros and cons compared to paying personally.
Is Division 293 Tax Unfair? Who It Affects in Australia
A clear, neutral look at Division 293 tax. Who pays it, why it exists, how many Australians are affected, and the fairness debate.
How to Reduce Division 293 Tax in Australia
Division 293 cannot usually be avoided, but some choices affect when and how it applies. Learn what you can and cannot control in Australia.
Division 293 Tax (2026–27): Threshold, Who Pays & How
The Division 293 tax threshold is $250,000 for 2026–27. Learn if you're affected, how the extra 15% super tax is calculated and your options to pay.
Division 293 for Defined Benefit Members: What’s Different
Defined benefit members face different Division 293 rules. Learn how notional contributions work, why tax can be deferred, and when it is paid.
Retirement Planning Australia: Your 5–10 Year Guide
A clear guide to retirement planning in Australia for the next 5–10 years: income, super structure, the Age Pension, risk and practical steps.
Transition to Retirement Pension: 2026–27 Guide
How a transition to retirement pension works in Australia for 2026–27, including age 60 eligibility, 4% and 10% payment limits, tax, and worked examples.
Super Co-Contribution 2026–27: Eligibility and $500 Boost
2026–27 guide to the super co-contribution, including $49,293 and $64,293 thresholds, eligibility rules, taper rates, and how to receive up to $500.
Need Personalised Financial Advice?
While calculators provide valuable insights, every financial situation is unique. Book a consultation for personalised strategies tailored to your circumstances.
Book Your Free Discovery Call
Meet Alan O'Reilly — a licensed financial adviser helping Australians make smarter decisions with their money.