School: Business and Law
This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.
Unit Title
Superannuation and Retirement PlanningUnit Code
ECF3211Year
2016Enrolment Period
1Version
2Credit Points
15Full Year Unit
N
Mode of Delivery
On Campus
Online
Description
This unit examines retirement income planning from the perspective of the individual and for its implications for the wider economy. The unit considers the approaches employed worldwide for retirement income provision with a particular focus on the Australian superannuation system and its sustainability. The history of age pension provision internationally is recounted, and the issues associated with changing demographic profiles are examined. The sections on the Australian superannuation industry are focused on industry structure, service providers, relevant legislation, retirement income products and taxation.
Prerequisite Rule
Students must pass 1 units from ECF1120
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this unit students should be able to:
- Assess recent evidence on individual investment and fund choice within superannuation in Australia and its implication for retirement benefits.
- Contrast the features of the range of retirement income streams including those offered by the social security system and assess eligibility for benefits offered and explain the rules relating to these benefits.
- Describe the role of the three pillars of the retirement income system.
- Identify alternative means of contributing to superannuation and rules governing these contributions and explain how superannuation contributions, income and benefits are taxed.
- Identify risks inherent in all aspects of retirement planning decisions and their implications for asset allocation in listed and sustainable assets.
- Identify the major regulators and legislation of consequence for the retirement income and superannuation system and examine and compare alternative superannuation fund types and structures.
- Identify the responsibilities of superannuation trustees.
- Outline alternative service providers in the delivery of superannuation products, principally fund administrators, insurers, investment managers, consultants, custodians, auditors, actuaries, solicitors, financial advisers and of course employers.
- Outline demographic trends in Australia and assess these impacts on the retirement income system and the wider economy and society.
- Propose ways you can apply principles of sustainability to superannuation.
- Understand the development of the Australia retirement income system in the 19th and 20th century.
Unit Content
- Asset allocation and retirement investment.
- Australian social security system.
- Australian superannuation industry and legislative framework.
- Australian superannuation trustee investment issues.
- Dealing with the "ageing crisis".
- Historical and current international approaches for retirement income provision.
- Investment, fund choice and individual decisions at retirement.
- Retirement income products in Australia.
- Superannuation fund structures in Australia.
- Superannuation product delivery by service providers.
- Taxation of superannuation.
Additional Learning Experience Information
This unit is delivered in the online mode. Learning materials are delivered via Blackboard. Students are guided through a series of learning activities designed to prepare them for the assessments.
Assessment
GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units
Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.
ON CAMPUS| Type | Description | Value |
|---|
| Presentation | Student presentation | 10% |
| Assignment | Assignment | 30% |
| Examination ^ | Final Examination | 60% |
ONLINE| Type | Description | Value |
|---|
| Presentation | Student presentation | 10% |
| Assignment | Assignment | 30% |
| Examination ^ | Final Examination | 60% |
^ Mandatory to Pass
Text References
- ^ Financial Planning (2014). (2nd ed.). Warren McKeown, Mike Kerry, Marc Olynyk (John Wiley & Sons, Australia)
- ^ The Self Managed Super Handbook (2014). (4th ed.). Monica Rule (available from www.monicarule.com.au). ">http://www.monicarule.com.au">www.monicarule.com.au).
- Australian Master Superannuation Guide 2014/15. (18th ed.). James Leow, Shirley Murphy - CCH Australia.
- Australian Master Financial Planning Guide 2014/15. (17th ed.). CCH Australia.
^ Mandatory reference
Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)
For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.
Academic Misconduct
Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:
- plagiarism;
- unauthorised collaboration;
- cheating in examinations;
- theft of other students' work;
Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.
The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.
ECF3211|2|1
School: Business and Law
This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.
Unit Title
Superannuation and Retirement PlanningUnit Code
ECF3211Year
2016Enrolment Period
2Version
2Credit Points
15Full Year Unit
N
Mode of Delivery
On Campus
Online
Description
This unit examines the process of planning for retirement within the Australian context. The focus is on accumulating sufficient funds to provide for an adequate income stream in retirement. Superannuation, as the basis of the majority of retirement savings and investment plans, is examined in detail. Topics include: savings and investment plans, retirement income streams, taxation issues, social security, estate planning, self-managed superannuation funds, and the structure and regulation of the superannuation industry. Recent developments are also examined.
Prerequisite Rule
Students must pass 1 units from ECF1120
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this unit students should be able to:
- Assess recent evidence on individual investment and fund choice within superannuation in Australia and its implication for retirement benefits.
- Contrast the features of the range of retirement income streams including those offered by the social security system and assess eligibility for benefits offered and explain the rules relating to these benefits.
- Describe the role of the three pillars of the retirement income system.
- Identify alternative means of contributing to superannuation and rules governing these contributions and explain how superannuation contributions, income and benefits are taxed.
- Identify risks inherent in all aspects of retirement planning decisions and their implications for asset allocation in listed and sustainable assets.
- Identify the major regulators and legislation of consequence for the retirement income and superannuation system and examine and compare alternative superannuation fund types and structures.
- Identify the responsibilities of superannuation trustees.
- Outline alternative service providers in the delivery of superannuation products, principally fund administrators, insurers, investment managers, consultants, custodians, auditors, actuaries, solicitors, financial advisers and of course employers.
- Outline demographic trends in Australia and assess these impacts on the retirement income system and the wider economy and society.
- Propose ways you can apply principles of sustainability to superannuation.
- Understand the development of the Australia retirement income system in the 19th and 20th century.
Unit Content
- Asset allocation and retirement investment.
- Australian social security system.
- Australian superannuation industry and legislative framework.
- Australian superannuation trustee investment issues.
- Dealing with the "ageing crisis".
- Historical and current international approaches for retirement income provision.
- Investment, fund choice and individual decisions at retirement.
- Retirement income products in Australia.
- Superannuation fund structures in Australia.
- Superannuation product delivery by service providers.
- Taxation of superannuation.
Additional Learning Experience Information
This unit is delivered in the online mode. Learning materials are delivered via Blackboard. Students are guided through a series of learning activities designed to prepare them for the assessments.
Assessment
GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units
Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.
ON CAMPUS| Type | Description | Value |
|---|
| Assignment | Assignment 1 | 20% |
| Assignment | Assignment 2 | 20% |
| Examination ^ | Final Examination | 60% |
ONLINE| Type | Description | Value |
|---|
| Assignment | Assignment 1 | 20% |
| Assignment | Assignment 2 | 20% |
| Examination ^ | Final Examination | 60% |
^ Mandatory to Pass
Text References
- ^ Financial Planning (2014). (2nd ed.). Warren McKeown, Mike Kerry, Marc Olynyk (John Wiley & Sons, Australia)
- The Self Managed Super Handbook (September, 2015). (5th ed.). Monica Rule (available from www.monicarule.com.au). ">http://www.monicarule.com.au">www.monicarule.com.au).
- Australian Master Superannuation Guide 2014/15. (18th ed.). James Leow, Shirley Murphy - CCH Australia.
- Australian Master Financial Planning Guide 2014/15. (17th ed.). CCH Australia.
^ Mandatory reference
Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)
For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.
Academic Misconduct
Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:
- plagiarism;
- unauthorised collaboration;
- cheating in examinations;
- theft of other students' work;
Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.
The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.
ECF3211|2|2
