Vita Palestrant has contributed to Money for more than 15 years. Previously, she was the editor of the Money section of The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age. Vita has worked on major metropolitan newspapers in Australia and overseas and has won several prestigious journalism awards, including the Citigroup Award for Excellence in Journalism - Personal Finance.
Things to do in 2016 with your SMSF
It's almost the end of the year. With that in mind, Money asked SMSF specialists what they see as the most important things to do (or not to do) in 2016.
Sharemarket volatilty hits SMSF retirees
In a turbulent sharemarket, SMSF retirees don't want to be forced sellers.
SMSFs struggling to balance risk and return
SMSFs are caught between a rock and a hard place during these turbulent times.
Reasons for winding up your self-managed super fund
There are many reasons people wind up SMSFs: they may find DIY, with all its compliance and complexity too demanding.
Don’t squabble over SMSF death benefits
Make sure your super goes where you want when you die by having a binding death benefits nomination in place.
Five-point checklist for the new tax year
Satisfy our five-point checklist and get the tax year off to a safe start, writes Vita Palestrant.
How a super recontribution stratety can help you pay less tax
A recontribution strategy can reduce the tax paid by your beneficiaries.
How to save tax and boost your SMSF
A transition-to-retirement pension can cut tax and increase savings to your SMSF.
Listed and unlisted trusts reliable income for SMSF
SMSFs are under pressure to find assets that will provide them with a steady income. Part of the solution may lie with listed and unlisted property trusts.
SMSF asset allocation: it’s the mix that counts
"A SMSF needs growth assets such as shares but it also needs cash for at least two years' planned expenditure so it won't need to cash in good assets if the market is having one of its normal downturns."
