The rate of age pension take-up had fallen by 9 per cent since the introduction of superannuation and almost one-third of retirees were now self-funded, putting paid to the myth that compulsory super as a policy was having negligible impact on retirement incomes, according to the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA).

Financial Synergy founder and chairman David Orford has launched a new venture and retirement product offering to operate alongside the regular income stream of an account-based pension.

The partner of a mid-tier accounting firm has warned retirees to find the right level of spending behaviour so as not run out of savings, but also not to live poor and die rich.

The SMSF sector needs to address the issue of longevity risk in a more meaningful manner as the projected age of Australians continues to increase, a senior executive with an industry body has said.

Deciding to “cross that bridge when I come to it” may leave SMSF investors with less-desirable options and outcomes, and their families and advisers with more stress and risk.

Rising costs of living are significantly impacting on Australian retirees, with couples needing to fork out over $60,000 a year for a comfortable retirement, according to new figures from the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA).

A landmark stage in the life of an SMSF is when at least one its members moves from the accumulation phase to retirement phase.