DIRECTIONS. Simple ways to sort your super. Win an iphone. Autumn Build a bridge between super and pension with Pension Join Online

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1 DIRECTIONS Autumn 2017 Simple ways to sort your super //page 4 Win an iphone //See back page for details Build a bridge between super and pension with Pension Join Online Linking you with super advice //page 7 //page 6

2 02 DIRECTIONS > Autumn 2017 Simple ways to sort your super There are some things in life that are meant to be complicated relationships, science and how to make a good soufflé. But superannuation isn t one of them. That s why we ve made it our mission to simplify the jargon and processes. We ve created a range of services that make it easy to see where your money is going and prepare for your financial future. So you can focus your energy on this wonderful thing we call life. In this issue, we show you how to kick off your pension with our new Pension Join Online service. We invite you to an enlightening talk on navigating marketplace volatility with Scott Fletcher, Director of Client Investment Strategies at Russell Investments (exclusively for VISSF members and guests). And we cover our partnership with Link Advice so you can get expert advice, whenever you need it. If you need a little direction when it comes to boosting your super balance, our feature article outlines the top to-dos and important actions to keep in mind. A few small changes now could make a big difference down the track, so take a look and see how many you can tick off the list. We re also giving away a stylish 32GB iphone 7 valued at $1079. It s sure to make managing your super easier and more enjoyable than ever. All you need to do is follow a couple of simple steps and you will be in the draw for a chance to win. Sorting your super now means more time and money for the good things in life. So together, let s make 2017 the year you re prepared. Happy reading, Rachel Richardson Editor, Directions newsletter HELL If Phone: super@vissf.com.au Post: GPO Box 4974, Melbourne VIC 3001 Web: This newsletter is issued by VIS Nominees Pty Ltd (ABN , AFSL number , RSE Licence number L ), the Trustee of The Victorian Independent Schools Superannuation Fund (ABN , RSE Registration number R , MySuper Authorisation ). The information provided in this newsletter is general information only and does not take into account your personal financial situation or needs. You should consider obtaining advice that is tailored to suit your personal circumstances. you have editorial ideas for future issues of Directions or would like to share your member story, please directions@vissf.com.au

3 IN BRIEF An exclusive presentation: Walking the Trump Tightrope Brexit. Hanson. Trump. Today s economic climate is more complicated than ever. That s why we ve invited Scott Fletcher, Director of Client Investment Strategies at Russell Investments to teach us how to separate market noise from substance. It s an exclusive event for all VISSF members (and their lucky guests). He ll cover topics like expensive valuations, inflation risks, and policy divergence between major central banks. Plus, as a proven investment management expert with a career spanning more than 26 years, Scott will share his analysis of the current economic and financial market landscape. We invite you and your guests to join us for this unique and informative presentation. Venue: Link Group Level 13, Tower Collins Street Docklands VIC 3008 Time: 5pm on Wednesday, 31 May 2017 RSVP: To register go to by Thursday, 25 May 2017 Star performance We are busily preparing your annual statements, but wanted to share these impressive results with you a little earlier. Investment returns for your fund have been very strong this past year, mainly due to share markets having produced double digit returns. Compared to other super funds*, the All Growth, Balanced and Conservative options delivered top quartile results for the period. More importantly, all three options are top quartile performers over the longer term five year period. Crediting rates year ended 31 January 2017 Compound Average % per annum 1 Year % 3 year % 5 year % All Growth Balanced Conservative Cash Defined Benefit Inflation CPI * Compared against multi manager funds which invest superannuation money as compiled in the Chant West Multi-Manager Monthly Survey January Introducing Pension Join Online pension at the click of a button 03 Download the VISSF app for a chance to win They say there s an app for everything. We don t know who they are, but it turns out they re right. Download and log in via the mobile app to manage your super from wherever you are, and we ll put you in the draw for a chance to win a 32GB iphone 7 valued at $1079. All you have to do is: Download and log in to Member Online via the VISSF mobile app by 5pm, 31 May 2017 and we ll enter you in the draw. Not registered for Member Online? Don t worry, it only takes a minute. Just visit our website and click the Member Online button at the top of your screen, then follow the prompts. Once you start using this app, you ll wonder how you ever managed your super without it. We know starting a pension can seem like a hard slog. So, we ve done away with the lengthy forms and time-consuming red tape. Pension Join Online is a new service with a streamlined setup. So, sit down and make yourself a cuppa. You ll be signed up before you see the bottom of the cup. How do I start? If you re of preservation age, Pension Join Online is available through your Member Online account. Just click on the Pension tab and follow the prompts. Not registered for Member Online? Just visit our website and click the Member Online button at the top of your screen. It takes less than a minute to set up and gives you access to a host of online services. To hear more about Pension Join Online, feel free to give our friendly Client Services Team a call on or flip to page seven to learn more.

4 04 DIRECTIONS > Autumn 2017 Simplifying super one step at a time Nothing says simple like a numbered to-do list. With a little help from your friends (that s us), you can save time, money and undue stress. All you need to do is read through the steps and tick them off one-by-one. Now, that s satisfaction. 1. Search for lost super. If you re like many Australians, starting a new job can mean a new super provider too. And if you ve had a few jobs throughout your working life, then you ll probably have a few extra super accounts. Left unchecked, these accounts could be losing valuable money from your retirement savings. And that s never a good thing. Fortunately, searching for those lost super accounts is easy. If you re registered for Member Online, you can ask us to periodically search on your behalf, simply by ticking the box that provides consent. We ll let you know if we find anything. Or you can ask our friendly Client Services Team for help. 2. Cash in by consolidating. Consolidating your super accounts not only saves you time and money, but maybe a few hairs too (you ll stop pulling them out). By having all your super in the one account, you ll only be charged one fee. And, you ll be able to get a clearer picture of your overall financial situation at a glance. Our Client Services Team can consolidate your newly found (and already known) super into VISSF over the phone or through Member Online. In most cases, your money will arrive in your account in as little as three days. To get your super sorted, just head to Member Online at or give our Client Services Team a call on

5 Save more with a salary sacrifice. A before-tax contribution to your super is known as a salary sacrifice (or concessional ) contribution. Here s how it works: first, you nominate an amount with your employer that you d like to contribute to your super (subject to the relevant contribution cap* for the financial year). Second, the amount will be deducted from your total salary before income tax. And finally, this amount is forwarded on to your super account. It s an easy, proactive way to accelerate your retirement savings. the year, you can still help them grow their super by making contributions. In doing so, you ll be eligible to claim an 18% tax offset on super contributions of up to $3,000 that you make on their behalf. That s roughly $540 in your back pocket, just for helping your spouse work towards their retirement savings goal. It s a win-win, if you ask us. 6. Weigh up your investment options. Your super works best when you know how your With a salary sacrifice, generally only 15% tax is deducted from your nominated super contribution. Compared to the tax rate you pay on your income (which could be up to 45%), this can amount to a large saving. 4. Top up with a top up from the government. A little help goes a long way. With co-contributions, you can get an extra top up from the government of up to $500 per annum. This is done through an after-tax (non-concessional) contribution, which is taken from your salary after your income tax has been deducted. If your total income is less than $51,021 per year before tax, including any reportable fringe benefits and reportable employer superannuation contributions, and you make an after-tax contribution, you re eligible. So, if you think you fall in this income bracket, check out how the government co-contribution can work for you. 5. Tackle your super as a team. If your spouse has a total assessable income, plus any reportable fringe benefits and other reportable employer super contributions, of less than $13,800 for investments are performing. Different ages, incomes and risk tolerance call for different strategies. High growth options (like shares) might be fine when you re of a younger age, but if you need regular access to your money, a lower risk option might be more suitable. You can check your investment options by logging in to Member Online. The VISSF team at Link Advice can also advise you about your investment choice at no cost. 7. Think about life insurance through your super. A safety net s never a bad thing. That s why eligible VISSF members are automatically covered for insured death and disabled benefits. For the more cautious at heart, it s worth investigating our voluntary insurance extras. Try our handy insurance calculator to see if you have enough cover. 8. Need some extra help? Get in touch with our team. If you have questions about our super to-dos, the VISSF Client Services Team are always here to help. Just call us on between 8am and 5pm weekdays. And let s get you prepared for the year ahead. *Refer to the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and Member Guide for details which are located at

6 06 DIRECTIONS > Autumn 2017 Linking you with super advice When it comes to experts in the super industry, Link Advice are a wealth of knowledge. For over 20 years, they ve made financial education accessible and affordable for everyday Australians. So, it made sense for us to partner with them in bringing you the same advice. It doesn t matter whether your retirement is a mere thought or an action plan, we have tailored advice to assist you on your financial journey. I need quick advice on a simple issue. If you need advice at your fingertips, we offer a free service designed to answer quick questions about your superannuation savings or retirement. You don t even have to leave the comfort of your home. So, if you ve been itching to ask a question about money, finances or wealth building, just call. We re here to help. I need simple advice about retirement. Managing your way into retirement needn t be complicated. Maybe you d like to know about a better contribution strategy? Or how to access your super to top up your income? That s where our simple advice about retirement comes in. We re here to explain the processes involved and come up with a solution that works for you. What s more, we ll supplement some of the cost of this service. I need the complete package. From time to time you may need the help of a financial expert to get your retirement plans on track. It s worth exploring, especially if you want to make sure you ve left no stone unturned. Our VISSF Advice Team can set you up with a qualified financial planner, so you can make clear financial goals. They ll help you choose the right investment options in the super and pension phases, and show you ways to save tax and boost your super balance. Help at hand, should you need it. One of our VISSF team members at Link Advice may be checking in soon to see if you have any questions about your super or retirement. If you do, feel free to ask away they re here to make your life easier. Don t want to wait? You can always get in touch with our team today by calling between 8am and 5pm (AEST) weekdays.

7 07 Introducing Pension Join Online Building a bridge between your super and pension As you start to wind down from work and think more about your retirement, you ll also be considering your income options. That s where Pension Join Online can help bridge the gap between your super and retirement phases. Pension Join Online not only does away with timeconsuming paperwork. It also means the same team that manages your super, manages your retirement income too. More control over your pension. With Pension Join Online, you can start an Account Based Pension or a Transition to Retirement (TTR) pension both of which have their own unique benefits. A flexible Account Based Pension gives you regular income along with key tax benefits. If you re ready to retire and aged over 60, an Account Based Pension can work for you by allowing lump-sum withdrawals and tax-free payments. A TTR pension gives you access to your super while you re still working. It also enables you to either reduce your work hours or start making (or increasing) salary sacrifice contributions. So, if you re 55 and over and working part time, you can supplement your income with regular pension payments. From 1 July 2017, investment earnings in a TTR pension account will be taxed at 15% (which is generally in line with super) rather than being tax-free. Despite this loss of tax-free earnings, a TTR strategy can still deliver substantial tax benefits and serves as a great way to achieve a target level of income. Getting started with Pension Join Online. Choose the pension that best suits your needs, then nominate your pension amounts and payment frequency. We ll help consolidate any other super you have and give you a choice of investment options. Choose how often you d like updates, then kick back, relax and enjoy your road to retirement. Like any good road trip, you ll need a soundtrack. Might we recommend Frank Sinatra s classic, My Way.

8 DIRECTIONS > Autumn 2017 Tap our app. Win an iphone. Win a 32GB iphone 7 just by using the VISSF mobile app. Getting your hands on a brand-new iphone 7 couldn t be simpler. If you haven t already, just register for Member Online. Then download and log in via the mobile app, and you ll go in the draw to win a 32GB iphone 7* valued at $1079. You ll wonder how you ever managed your super without it. Register, download and log in using the app for a chance to win. Entries close 5pm, 31 May * This is a photograph of an Apple iphone 7. Apple is not a participant in or sponsor of this promotion. The promotion commences 12am AEST on 3 April 2017 and closes 5pm AEST on 31 May The draw will take place on 8 June 2017 at 10am AEST at the offices of Australian Administration Services (ABN ), Level 13, 727 Collins Street, Docklands VIC The Prize winner will be notified by telephone and in writing via by 12 June 2017 with name to be published on NSW Permit No. LTPS/17/ See for full terms and conditions. VI /17 ISS4 08