Whether to invest in superannuation or not is a question being asked more frequently since the Global Financial Crisis struck during the course of 2008. The important issue here is that superannuation itself is not an investment product. It is however a very effective structure under which to accumulate wealth.

Continuum Financial Planners are very well briefed on all matters superannuation and have skills and strategies that will help you to optimize the value of your nest egg as you accumulate wealth for retirement.

The various formats under which your superannuation portfolio can be accumulated include:-

• Personal superannuation account
• Employee superannuation account
• Corporate superannuation account; and
• Self-managed superannuation account.

Personal superannuation accounts are more usually utilized with clients who are mobile in their careers, are self-employed or who want ultimate flexibility, transparency and a tax effective insurance offering. The account is also used by former employees under an employer group.

Advice on employee superannuation accounts are available through an employer who engages Asgard or BT Lifetime Super as their ‘default fund’ for choice of super requirements. Employees benefit from the fact that in the event that they leave the employer’s service for any reason, their account can automatically convert to a personal superannuation account – and retain many of the existing benefits established under the employer group.

Corporate superannuation accounts are less frequently encountered as the public offer funds (including the industry-based funds) become more cost effective for employers to manage their obligations under the superannuation guarantee legislation. More often than not now, employers opt to engage a public offer fund to operate an employer group account.

Self-managed superannuation accounts are used in a range of circumstances, by accumulators who have significant funds under superannuation, likely to be continuing to make significant contributions into the future and who are prepared to take an active role in the ongoing management of the account and its investment portfolio. There are significant trustee responsibilities – and additional administrative costs involved in this style of superannuation account; but the rewards can be well worthwhile if the circumstances are appropriate.