Beating Inflation with Ease: Our Investment Returns

Beating Inflation with Ease: Our Investment Returns

Using risk optimisation techniques gained from over 25 years experience in aggregating insurance risks, connectingthedots is able to "cherry pick" the ASX and apply the same techniques to investment portfolios.

This gives an average return for Australian equities of 26.1% per annum since 2017 with 30.0% in the last year. This is achieved by applying our Investment Strategy and by systematically optimising the risk-return balance at a portfolio level over regular time periods. When managed actively, these returns can be boosted by an additional 10-20% p.a.

Our cumulative performance is set out in more detail in the chart following (passive strategy):

This performance compares more than favourably to that for all MySuper funds with an average of 7.9% for 2023.

This methodology is reflected in our Corporate Investment Strategy.

Access to these returns is only available to our shareholders and employees via our superannuation fund.

All our applications are built in R using shiny-server. Consultation services are available to wholesale and corporates via our contact form.

Australian Life Tables 2020-22

Australian Life Tables 2020-22

The latest Life Tables for 2020-22 have been released by the Australian  Government Actuary at 13 December 2024. This updates the previous tables by 5 years (2015-17).

The average life expectancy has increased by 0.55 years to 85.3 for females and by 0.49 years to 81.3 for males (without further improvement).

Historic Annuity Table
Historic a(55) Annuity Table

A more in depth article about this can be found on the Actuaries Institute website at https://www.actuaries.digital/2024/12/18/release-of-australian-life-table-2020-22/.

Our services can be engaged via our contact form.

Regulated MySuper Funds Return an average 7.9% for 2023

Regulated MySuper Funds Return an average 7.9% for 2023

The Australian Prudential Regulatory Authority (APRA) surveys all MySuper funds each year for performance monitoring via mandatory statistical returns. This forms part of an annual superannuation performance test as detailed at https://www.apra.gov.au/2023-annual-superannuation-performance-test-mysuper-products.

Looking at the Fund Level data in the latest Annual Survey of MySuper funds - released in December 2023 - the average fund return was only 7.9% over the last year (after fees).

Full details of APRA's latest MySuper publication of Fund Level data and the list of surveyed Funds can be found at https://www.apra.gov.au/annual-fund-level-superannuation-statistics

SMSF Ownership of Crypto-currencies

SMSF Ownership of Crypto-currencies

SMSF’s and Crypto-currency

Self-Managed-Super-Funds are permitted to own crypto-currencies with the case for holding crypto-currencies within an SMSF as follows:

  • They are liquid assets with a deeply supported market of sufficient capitalisation
  • They offer diversification benefits with respect to all other asset classes such as bonds, cash, equities and property
  • They are not subject to sovereign default risk
  • They offer asset protection equivalent to gold and other precious metals
  • They are priced across multiple currencies and thus hedged internationally
  • They are arguably more suitable than many Personal Use assets (some of which are highly illiquid)

Crypto-currencies are not risk-free – nothing is, even cash. But they are highly amenable to “risk management” strategies and are a valid asset class when considered within an overall portfolio. However when it comes to investing in crypto-currencies outside the top 5 inclusive of bitcoin, it’s buyer beware.

Whether you are a believer in crypto-currency or not, it is not going away anytime soon.

Finally, if you were in any doubt about its legitimacy then consider the ATO’s SMSF Annual Tax return which has a separate line item for crypto-currency under Item 15C – Other investments in Section H as follows:

ATO SMSF Crypto

PS: connectingthedots accepts crypto-currency payments from superannuation funds and other clients.

NB: Crypto currencies (i.e. coins) are not a financial product and hence their recommendation or otherwise is not considered financial advice under Australian law at December 2024. Please note that by using this website, you are agreeing to our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy. These can be found on our homepage in the footer.

ATO Superannuation News

ATO Superannuation News

The Australian Taxation Office issues regular updates on superannuation matters. These have been aggregated for 2023 and are listed here.

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Retirement Income Covenant – Sample

Retirement Income Covenant – Sample

Connectingthedots is pleased is offer a sample “Retirement Income Covenant” for use by SMSFs and superannuation trustees alike. We’re making setting retirement objectives seamless.

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A clean template of this document is also available by email here.

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Retirement Income – Interactive Heatmap

Retirement Income – Interactive Heatmap

Connectingthedots is pleased to launch its superannuation heatmap for setting retirement income objectives. Simple and interactive, you can see how your superannuation balance compares.

Just by setting a few retirement income objectives - namely your target income, gender and retirement age - you can see if your superannuation balance is adequate to meet your retirement objectives.

Just move the cursor to match your age on the bottom axis and your assets on the left to see your result immediately.

Just click on the chart above to be redirected to this live, interactive chart. You can return to this page anytime.

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The results presented in this tool are consistent with the principles of the Actuaries Institute’s Professional Standard No. 402 – “Accrued Benefits for Defined Benefit Superannuation Funds” and Australian Accounting Standard Board Standard 1056 – “Accounting Standard for Superannuation Entities”.

Life Tenant Factors – Australian Life Tables 2015-17

Life Tenant Factors – Australian Life Tables 2015-17

Life tenant factors for 2015-17 Australian Life Tables are available here using a discount rate of 5% per annum. It is noted that these factors have increased materially at advanced ages since the previous version.

Life Tenant Factors – Australia

The table above is available for online purchase at $99 +GST here.

For queries on the use and appropriateness of these factors for a stated purpose, please contact us directly.

Alternatively, you could use our online calculator here.

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