Lets focus on the basics......

While the world appears to be sinking beneath the weight of ever escalating petrol prices and growing uncertainty around the war in the middle east, I thought this month I would focus on some basics, starting with some good news.

All up the Australian market is currently expecting some $23 billion to be paid out to shareholders by way of their 2026 interim dividends. Half has already been paid during the past week while the remaining dividends will be paid across the next two weeks.

A large number of these dividends will be fully franked, adding potentially an extra $6 billion dollars to the dividends being paid out. Don’t know what franking credits are or whether you will receive any dividends? You need to read my first article.

While you’re pondering this question spare some time for some simple housekeeping.

Few Australians realise they have lost super but the Australian Tax Office estimated that as of June 30 last year some 7.3 million accounts together holding some $18.9 billion were declared as being ‘lost super’ either by funds or the ATO as of June 30 last year.

This is money just sitting with the ATO. It is not invested and it attracts no interest. Its just dead money. None the less it is still your money, and you should be claiming it as quickly as you can and putting it to work with the rest of your super. I explain how in my second article.

Finally, the Federal Government has put in place three key strategies to help low-income earners boost their superannuation balances and I would urge everyone on a low income to consider implementing at least one of these initiatives.

I know your first response will be most likely that “My super balance is so low it’s not worth worrying about’, but I know from experience that is not the case. Just a few simple steps now and each year could add a potential $55,000 to your super with a third coming from the Federal Government. Make sure you don’t miss out.

Finally, April of course is financial literacy month and so, as I do in most years, if you contact me and mention this newsletter, I will happily send you a copy of my book, “The No-Regrets Guide to Retirement”, free of charge.