Zest! / SUPER 101

Seven tips to get super fit for 2025

These practical actions will get your superannuation in shape for a great start to the year.

By Jodie Cook - 3 min read

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A little about Jodie

As a Member Solutions Consultant at Russell Investments, Jodie Cook understands all the ins and outs of super and retirement legislation, and loves to answer questions and help members.

The long summer days of mid-December are often busy with the holiday season in full swing but in January you may find a moment to reflect and prepare for the year ahead. While plans for work, social events or travel may be top of mind, take time to also think about your superannuation.

Here are some actions you can take today to set your super up for a healthy start to the year.

 Hand and buttons icon Check your member statement – It’s a great starting place, as there is a lot of useful information on there. You can see your balance (as at 30 June) and how it is invested. Once you understand your position, you might want to consider if the investment strategy is still right for you. If you contact us, we can help you with that.
 Computer mouse with idea icon Update your details – Log in to your super account and make sure your postal address, email address, phone number and other personal details are up to date in your super fund—that way you won’t miss anything.
 Screen with padlock in a magnifying glass Ensure your account is cyber safe – While you’re checking your details, make sure your super account is protected with a strong, unique password that is difficult to guess. You should also update your password regularly to help ensure your account remains secure. According to the Australian government’s ScamWatch, cybercrime cost Australians more than $2.2 billion from January to September 2024 alone. You definitely don’t want your super account to be one of those statistics. Visit our website for more information on how to keep your online account and your super safe .
 Magnifying glass icon Review your insurance – If you have insurance through your super fund, it’s worth reviewing it from time to time to make sure it’s still appropriate for you. You may wish to vary the amount of coverage you have—if your relationship status has changed, you’ve bought (or sold) a home, started a family, or moved into a more risk-prone job, for example. In some situations, you can opt-in and opt-out of insurance cover through super. But before you change or cancel any insurance cover you have, consider what’s right for you. If you cancel your cover and later want to take out insurance again, you may have to go through a new underwriting process, providing updated health information. This might make it more difficult or costly to get insurance if your health has deteriorated. If you need help understanding insurance, our personalised phone-based advice can help .
 Three people icon standing in circles with one in front Nominate your beneficiaries – Leaving instructions in your will is not enough by itself to ensure your superannuation is distributed as you intend in the event of your death. Super is treated differently from the rest of your estate. Nominating beneficiaries through your super fund is the best way to make sure it goes to benefit the people you want it to go to.
 Bar chart icon with performance line above Track to a super goal – Having a goal provides direction, focus and motivation, and increases the likelihood of success—and it’s no different with super. We all know that super is all about the long term, and so even if retirement is still many years away, tracking to a super goal could be the key to achieving a great life after work. That’s where GoalTracker® comes in. It can calculate the amount of income you’re heading for in retirement, help you set a goal that’s right for the retirement lifestyle you want and offer tailored advice and strategies to help achieve it. With super, it’s never too early to start!
 Bar chart icon with performance line angled up Consider extra contributions – Saving through super is a tax effective way to set yourself up for a healthy income in retirement to support all those dreams. There are several ways you can boost your super balance , including by adding more from before-tax pay or after-tax savings. Even small additions can make a big difference over time . There is plenty of information on our website on where to begin. You can contact us if you have further questions.

To learn more about your super, start with our quick explainer video .

 


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Issued by Total Risk Management Pty Ltd ABN 62 008 644 353, AFSL 238790 (TRM) as trustee of Russell Investments Master Trust ABN 89 384 753 567. Nationwide Super and Resource Super are Divisions of the Russell Investments Master Trust. The Product Disclosure Statement (‘PDS’), the Target Market Determinations and the Financial Services Guide can be obtained by phoning 1800 555 667 or by visiting russellinvestments.com.au or for Nationwide Super by phoning 1800 025 241 or visiting nationwidesuper.com.au. Any potential investor should consider the latest PDS in deciding whether to acquire, or to continue to hold, an investment in any Russell Investments product. Russell Investments Financial Solutions Pty Ltd ABN 84 010 799 041, AFSL 229850 (RIFS) is the provider of MyTracker and the financial product advice provided by GoalTracker Plus. General financial product advice is provided by RIFS or Link Advice Pty Ltd (Link Advice) ABN 36 105 811 836, AFSL 258145. Limited personal financial product advice is provided by Link Advice with the exception of GoalTracker Plus advice, which is provided by RIFS.

This communication provides general information only and has not been prepared having regard to your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before making an investment decision, you need to consider whether this information is appropriate to your objectives, financial situation and needs. If you'd like personal advice, we can refer you to the appropriate person. This information has been compiled from sources considered to be reliable but is not guaranteed. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. To the extent permitted by law, no liability is accepted for any loss or damage as a result of reliance on this information. This material does not constitute professional advice or opinion and is not intended to be used as the basis for making an investment decision. This work is copyright 2024. Apart from any use permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part may be reproduced by any process, nor may any other exclusive right be exercised, without the permission of Russell Investments.

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