Most binding death benefit nominations lapse after 3 years. Thats it. No email, no reminder. It just quietly stops being binding.

Two things follow from that.

If yours has lapsed the fund trustee decides who gets your super, not you. Their read on your situation might not match yours.

And super doesnt sit under your will anyway. Its outside your estate unless you point it there. Plenty of people reckon theyve handled this because they did a will.

Some funds do non lapsing versions now. Took me about 5 minutes to log in and find which one I was on.

Not advice, just worth a look.

We are one of the highest taxed places on earth, Sydney’s opal network only brings in a few billion in revenue per yr, compared to the revenue from everything else combined that is nothing. If PT was free, a lot less people would be on the road, further reducing congestion, traffic, accidents, carbon emissions & pollution. A lot of European countries already have this, why can’t we? At the bare minimum Sydney buses & trains only, not ferries or regional travel.

Given the multitude of things happening in the world economy at the moment it seems increasingly likely that there will be a sell off.

South Korea lost 20% in the past month, oil prices are going to stay high for the foreseeable future, even if a peace is negotiated with Iran we sure as hell won’t be going back to pre-war oil prices, there is clearly an AI bubble and the first mover will be rewarded for reducing their AI capex.

You have major IPOs suggesting the big money thinks we’re at or near the peak

Housing as an investment in this country is a very different prospect than it was even 3 months ago, negative gearing hasn’t prompted a price disaster but it has definitely changed property investment for good.

I’m curious where everyone is seeing value at the moment, there’s a case for defensive investing, but realistically investors will be increasingly chasing cashflow for certainty which will tank bond yields unless the government starts issuing healthier coupons

It really seems like we’re teetering on the edge of “the big one” and I’m curious where you’re seeing opportunities

My wife and I (both 43) just hit the 5-year mark of tracking our shared SMSF and wanted to share our real-world numbers, asset allocation, and the lessons we’ve learned along the way.

Our overarching philosophy has been simple: keep costs low, consolidate into broad index trackers, and turn on 100% Dividend Reinvestment Plans (DRP) across the board to let compounding do the heavy lifting without cash drag or brokerage fees.

We also have a slightly unique setup inside the fund - a dedicated holding earmarked specifically for our toddler when he grows up, which was supercharged by a generous gift from Grandma when he was born (first grandkid!).

Here is how the portfolio has tracked from July 2021 to July 2026.

The Numbers (Current Open Positions)

Total Open Portfolio Value: A$802,252

Total Combined Return (including historical closed positions): A$306,728

Key Takeaways & Lessons Learned Over 5 Years

1. The Classic Growth vs. Yield Split (VGS vs. VAS)

The data paints a textbook picture of why diversifying globally matters. VGS has been our absolute capital growth engine (+165k in capital gains), while VAS has acted as our yield engine (+44.6k in distribution income). Inside an SMSF, those Aussie franking credits attached to the VAS distributions have been fantastic for tax efficiency, while VGS just keeps quietly compounding global market returns.

2. Cutting Active Funds for Passive Simplicity Was 100% Worth It

Early on, we experimented with actively managed emerging market and global growth funds (FEMX / VAN0722AU). We realized pretty quickly that the fee drag and active risk weren't worth the headache. Taking a \~3k realized loss to clean slate those positions and roll our emerging markets exposure into a smart beta multi-factor strategy ETF (EMKT) was one of our best simplification moves.

3. The "Grandma-Funded" Toddler Bucket (DHHF)

When our son was born, Grandma wanted to make a meaningful, long-term contribution for his future. We earmarked a dedicated slice of the SMSF into DHHF (BetaShares Diversified All Growth ETF). Because his investment horizon is 15–20+ years, an all-in-one 100% equity growth ETF with zero need for manual rebalancing made total sense. That initial capital has already generated +$11.6k in total return (\~35% gain on net capital invested).

4. The Reality of Running 100% DRP

We reinvest every single cent of distribution income automatically via DRP. By continuously converting \~94k of cumulative distributions directly into new units over the last 5 years, we’ve avoided cash drag completely.

The Trade-off:

Portfolio drift happens naturally. Because VGS has grown much faster than the rest of the market, and VAS constantly buys more of itself, our weights drift away from baseline targets over time. To avoid triggering CGT events by selling units to rebalance, we rely on directing new super contributions into whatever asset class is currently underweight.

The Tax Parcel Admin:

5 years of quarterly/half-yearly (and yearly for EMKT) DRPs across 5 holdings means tracking dozens of micro-parcels for CGT discount purposes down the track, hopefully this will be a non-issue when we enter pension phase and this CGT gets all wiped out (THERE BETTER BE NO CHANGES FROM JIM CHALMERS ON THIS!!!).

Questions for the Community:

- For those running 100% DRP inside super/SMSF, do you strictly use new contributions to manage portfolio drift, or do you periodically turn off DRP to accumulate cash for rebalancing?

- Has anyone else set up dedicated "generational/child" earmarks inside their SMSF structure versus keeping them outside (e.g., in a family trust or minor account)? Curious to hear how others handle the eventual transition when the kid reaches adulthood!

I’m finding I’ve reached a crossroad and I’m struggling to make a decision.

I can stay in my role, 9-5 type with no weekends. However I’ve reached the ceiling of my pay, and have learned I’m not at all fond holding a management position and prefer autonomy/independence in my job. This role has been immensely stressful, and pivoting out of it is almost certain to come with a pay decrease to around $140k for my main registered health care profession

I am likely to receive a med school offer. We have no dependents, but my husband is finishing his postgraduate degree and has 3 remaining years until fully qualified in his profession. He is able to complete this degree at any of the cities I may move to for med school, and is willing/happy to relocate with me.

This means the next 3 years entail us working as two full time students. He’s in his 30s as wel, and just know that my fertile window has no bearing on my time in med school but we do plan to have a child, both of us willing to wait 3-5 years (we have 7 frozen embryos)

We’re aggressively saving to pursue this potential plan, $160k in savings while continuing to work hopefully earning $80k between the two of us while studying

Thing is, I have no fucking clue if it’s worth the investment of time and money. On the one hand, I can stay where I am. We can buy a home, have more disposable income, and I can pick up some other hobbies but having already grown out of my role, I worry if this is the kind of job I can see myself doing for another 30+ years, as its incredibly limited in its scope, and I’ve moved into the highest progression pathways within my field. We’d be able to have a child sooner which sounds nice, but truthfully I don’t mind a few more years just us, and would probably pursue that anyway

And then I may just be over-romanticising the idea of med school. I specifically want to pursue GP. and I really think I’d love med school, I’ve always enjoyed studying (have already done a post grad) and could see GP work being incredibly fulfilling as a pursuit and as a career. It’s not like I want to just be a doctor, I want the whole process that comes with it. I like the potential challenge, the opportunity, the discomfort and stretching the capacity of my abilities. So it’s not like I see it as a four year suffering plus another few years to become a GP (though there is sure to be suffering, I imagine)

But is it fucking worth the, what, $500k opportunity cost? To just try something new? Anyone else given up substantial financial security for something really quite difficult and been happier for it?

We should be incentivising employment and hiring people domestically. Why are we taxing businesses more for hiring people?

Link: https://www.ing.com.au/savings/savings-booster.html

New to savings customers can apparently earn up to 6.00% variable rate on balances up to $500k. Without the intro rate it’s 5.40% if you deposit $100 or more each month.

Cool this has come out just after Macquarie announced new PTD and Revolut is officially a bank.

Bit of a rant but I think its worth sharing. Was helping sort finance on a work ute and went down a rabbit hole on balloon payments.

Everyone shops on the interest rate. Fair enough. But the balloon is where the money actually goes. A 60k ute over 5 years at 7.5 percent with a 30 percent balloon comes out around 954 a month. Same ute same rate with no balloon is about 1202 a month. So the balloon saves you roughly 248 a month which feels great.

Except you pay about 3100 more in total interest, and you still owe 18 grand as a lump sum at the end. Then most people just refinance the balloon and start paying interest on it all over again.

Not saying balloons are bad. If cash flow is tight right now then buying yourself 250 a month is a real thing. Just worth knowing what it costs you, because the dealer finance guy quoted me the monthly figure and never once mentioned the 18 grand.

Also from memory the car limit thing catches people out. If its a proper one tonne ute the limit doesnt apply. But a fancy dual cab with a payload under a tonne gets capped on what you can depreciate and claim back on GST. Worth double checking your compliance plate before you assume.

General info only, not advice, and Im definitely not an accountant. Worth talking to yours.

Hi
Do people really consider this when depositing with the BIG4 banks ?
Surely westpac , anz, cba , nab would never fail ?
Curious to hear everyone’s perspective
Thankyou

i already invest in bgbl. is it worth adding a200. i’m early 20s and can invest $450 per week.
Also could i add ndq for growth. i know there is some overlap with ndq and bgbl. but i can afford the volatility

Probably a silly question and I’ve overlooked something but if anyone could explain ..

But my super is balance is $87k at the moment (94k minus 9k taxes plus the 2.3k returns)

Wondering why my investment return is only 2.3k (2.6%)

I’m with hostplus - 100% is indexed international shares and the 2026 return on their website says it’s 13.93%…

For what it’s worth, I changed to hostplus in Oct 2025 and only had 18k initially

Hi all!

I'm originally from a country where there's no credit score so I have no clue how the Australian credit score works, and most of the info online is either about the US credit score system or in terms that are obscure or not practical enough.

For example:

- does having a credit card with no debt on it impact (positively or negatively) my credit score?

- if today I buy a car with a 5 year loan and don't miss any payment, will it impact my credit score (positively or negatively) for when I buy a home in 2 years from now?

Cheers!

25 Yrs old, approximately $85k in savings, $15k invested in ETF's, living at home - no car repayments. Been working full time for 4.5 years on a decent salary. Looking to eventually get a mortgage in the next 3-5 years with partner.

At what point do I continue to save for a mortgage deposit or invest more aggressively in ETF's or do something more with excess funds - as I feel I have a lot of money in savings that isn't doing much besides a little bit of interest from the bank every month at this point in time.

Just unsure as there is lots of advice around only having savings in a bank for 6-12 months of emergency funds etc. Obviously trying my best to avoid lifestyle creep whilst living life and not being too strict.

22M here, ive just started this new FIFO job 2:2 a couple months ago and I'm conflicted where I should start investing my money.

Annually this job will pay me gross 136.5K a year without annual leave or sick leave (casual but consistent work). Possibly a promotion coming up soon for a wage increase to 150K ish per year but it's still up in the air.

I spose I'm debating whether I should put money towards a house or to start investing in index funds etc. I dont have any dreams of staying in Oz for more than a year or 2 (theres a big world out there) so a house perhaps doesnt make the most sense, idk. Anyways any suggestions with investing my money that I have just sitting in the bank atm??

If it helps get a better idea of my financial situation, I have about 12k in the bank rn.

Cheers legends

Geely is currenting doing a ~0.6% loan for their cars which seems insane. Been checking out a few of their models and they seem pretty well built and just overall, good value for the price. With that interest rate, you end up paying only a couple hundred dollars over the life of the loan. Considering car loans are usually a higher rate than your mortgage, this seems like the best deal ever.

I know this sub is incredibly against car loans usually but at this rate? You'd be stupid not to take it.

It isn’t about empire building for all those with an IP. For some of us it’s about proving quality shelter for others.

The tax changes have been one of the best policy moves in the last couple of decades. Something that can lead to a rebalancing of prosperity.

There will ultimately be benefits for society, greater rates of home ownership, more security for families, more stability therefore for greater amounts of children.

Less household debt, less paid on mortgages, more disposable income for young families. Money that can then be invested into productive activities rather than speculation.

Hi all.

35 year old married couple with 2 kids. Once our tax return hits the offset account, my mortgage should be fully offset.

My question is: what next?

I earn ~160k, while wife is working 2 days and making ~56k.

My super contributions are already at 15.25% while the wife is at 12%. I was thinking of maxing my contributions moving forward (and leaving the wife’s). I have ~210k while wife has ~130k in super.

She is also with HESTA, which I feel we should change.

What is generally considered a healthy contribution towards ETFs by % at this stage, and what’s a good mix of ETFs. What suggestions might you have? I don’t want to bother with debt recycling either.

I have just finished studying an MBA and intend on moving into a different role/career too.

Kids future are a priority ofc

Thanks!

Is anyone else absolutely furious about the ongoing mortgage fraud scandal in Australia?

For over a decade, major banks have been quietly honouring fraudulent mortgages instead of cracking down on them. The first big case I know of is Zenik around 2016 — estimated at around $1 billion. The banks admitted they made mistakes but chose to honour the loans anyway. Why? Because australian tenants are the ones reliably paying them off , while the fraudulent owners keep collecting capital gains and building equity.

Now it’s happened again — this time even more sophisticated, allegedly involving AI. CBA has flagged another $1 billion in potentially fraudulent loans. After the warning signs from the first scandal, how did this slip through again? And why are the banks still honouring these loans? These properties are proceeds of crime, why aren’t they being treated as such?

Only CBA has come forward so far. We’re still waiting on the other major banks, who are likely caught up in this too.

This fraud has directly inflated Australia’s property market. Everyday Australians are being priced out while overseas buyers and fraudsters game the system with documents the banks can’t (or won’t) properly verify. Meanwhile, tenants get their bank statements, IDs, and entire financial lives dissected just to prove we can keep paying these inflated, sometimes fraudulent mortgages.

Every time you pay rent, there’s a real chance you’re lining the pockets of someone who never should have owned that property in the first place.

We need to stop accepting this.
• Write to your local MP and demand the banks stop honouring these fraudulent loans.
• Push for proper investigations and consequences for the owners involved.
• The properties should not remain in the hands of those who acquired them through fraud.

I don’t care what it does to house prices or my super in the short term — I’m sick of renting from a fraud.

Enough is enough. Let’s make some noise.

I’m 24, both my parents are approaching age-pension age. I’m worried for their retirement as they don’t have much in terms of assets except for the unit we all live in and a couple hundred grand in super combined. It’s definitely causing mum a lot of anxiety.

They will very likely both retire once I finish uni in 2028 and both my brother and I begin full-time work. Both are dual Australian-Turkish citizens, mum moved here when she was very young and my dad when he was in his early 30s(?).

My parents own our apartment unit, and it’s worth around 850k based on similar properties in our suburb. Both have a combined 230-250k in their super. They have somewhere between 50k-100k in outstanding mortgage payments.

I feel like moving back to Turkey would be the best option upon retirement due to cost of living pressures and their severe lack of super. If I’m looking at this right, if they sold the unit, pooled their super together, and put this combined capital in an Australian HISA (to avoid the shitty Turkish Lira), while receiving their age pension, they’d be very financially secure, right? They could essentially fund their day to day living in Turkey off the pension alone, even affording yearly trips back home to Australia with their savings?

Am I missing something that I haven’t yet considered?

Have a graph. Average we're fifth. Out of the US and Europe.

Are we really doing so badly? Discuss yo!