MLC Market Watch

While 2010 has started slowly for investors, one-year performance figures are continuing to impress. In this update, MLC’s Senior Investment Strategist John Owen looks at:

• the recent performance of the MLC Australian Share Strategy
• the outperformance of manager Sands Capital, and
• what it means for the MLC Balanced and Growth Funds

View the February MLC Fund Performance Update video here.

Download John Owen video script.

As further evidence that the Australian sharemarket is indeed rallying to a sustained recovery, superannuation funds have risen for the sixth month in a row, offering some much needed relief to pensioners and retirees.

The latest SuperRatings research shows the median balanced superannuation fund rebounded 14.3 percent between March and August this year.

This results in a minus 7.9 percent performance for the year and a positive 5.4 percent return for the five year period.

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New social security rules coming into effect on 20 September will bring welcome relief for pensioners or those nearing retirement.

MLC Technical Expert, Gemma Dale outlines a number of key changes and what it may mean for you.

These changes include:

• an increase in the rate of pension
• incentives to remain in the workforce, and
• new arrangements for treating income.

Find out how the new pension system will work, and how you can make the most of the changes before the 20 September deadline.

View the Gemma Dale video here.

The 2009 Federal Budget was one of the more significant in recent history, with the Government tasked with steering the country out of the global financial crisis.

In an effort to regain lost revenues caused by the global downturn, the Government has decided to pull back some of the superannuation tax concessions.

In particular, there are two key changes to the treatment of super that are scheduled to take effect on 1 July 2009.

And while not yet legislated, there may be benefits for you if you act before 30 June.

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Gemma Dale leads a team of technical specialists at MLC responsible for providing information to advisers and investors on a range of superannuation, tax and social security issues.

View the  Budget video here.