We’re nearing 30 June, which means it could be time to invest in your super. The Federal Government may make a co-contribution to your retirement account up to a maximum amount of $500.

It may sound too good to be true, but it’s really not. Here’s how to receive a handy boost to your retirement accounts today.

How to invest in super and receive $500

The basic premise of the scheme is to encourage Aussies to support their own retirement. More self-funded retirees are good for the government as it reduces the burden on Australia’s social security.

It’s important to note that this co-contribution is only available for ‘low or middle-income earners’ who invest in super. That’s a little bit vague, so let’s dive into exactly who fits this category.

To be eligible for the contribution, you must have made at least 1 after-tax super contribution during the financial year (i.e. 23 before June), be less than 71 years old, not hold a temporary visa, lodge your tax return and have a total superannuation balance less than $1.6 million.

There’s also the income test which is key to this. To be eligible for a co-contribution, you must have total income (i.e. all income before salary packaging) of less than $53,464.

If you earn less than $38,564 and invest $1,000 in super, you may be eligible for a 50% match or $500. According to the ATO, “if your total income is between the two thresholds, your maximum entitlement will reduce progressively as your income rises.”

That means a $1,000 investment could get matched with an instant $500. It’s hard to beat an instant 50% return on investment right now.

What’s the catch?

There really is no catch to this if you want to invest in super. Of course, that money is locked away until the preservation age and is subject to potential liquidity or regulatory issues.

If you really want to invest in Afterpay Ltd (ASX: APT) shares or other ASX shares then maybe the co-contribution scheme isn’t for you.

However, savvy investors could do well to invest in super and cash in on the Federal Government’s retirement boost.

More reading

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• ASX 200 falls 1.9%, big 4 ASX banks retreat
• Tech shares! Should we even invest in anything else?
• S&P quarterly rebalance: A2 Milk added to ASX 50 & NEXTDC in the ASX 100
• All Technology Index sees stunning comeback

Ken Hall has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns shares of AFTERPAY T FPO. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

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Investing in high yield dividend shares has both pros and cons.

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) interest rate is now very low at just 0.25%. I think ASX dividend shares are the best way to solve this income problem. But are high yield dividend shares a good idea? To answer that, I’m going to tell you about franking credits first.

Franking credits

Australia gives dividend investors a unique advantage compared to the rest of the world. The Australian taxation system generates franking credits for companies.

According to the ATO: “dividends paid to shareholders by Australian resident companies are taxed under a system known as imputation. This is where the tax the company pays is imputed, or attributed, to the shareholders. The tax paid by the company is allocated to shareholders as franking credits attached to the dividends they receive.”

This is really helpful in making the high yield dividend share’s yield even bigger.

For example, a large company could generate $100 of net profit. The ATO will tax it at rate of 30%. Then there’s $70 left in the company’s hands and $30 in tax is paid to the ATO. If the company pays out that $70 as a dividend it will attach the $30 as franking credits for the shareholder.

Franking credits can turn a fully franked dividend yield of 7% into a grossed-up dividend yield of 10%.

The pros of high yield dividend shares

Get more income from your capital 

We only have so much money at our disposal. Depending on your needs, you may want to generate a certain amount of investment income each year. High yield dividend shares could allow you to achieve the required income from a smaller capital balance. For example, a 10% grossed-up dividend yield would generate $10,000 of income from $100,000 of capital. You’d need $200,000 of capital to make $10,000 with a 5% yield.

Don’t have to sell shares to be rewarded 

Some shares like Berkshire Hathaway are famous for not paying a dividend. However, if you need money to live then you’d have to sell shares to get money. I wouldn’t want to be worrying about when I should be selling shares. High yield dividend shares allow you to regularly benefit from the profit they’re making as they pay out those nice dividends.

The cons of high yield dividend shares

Tax

If you’re earning income from your work you’re probably paying tax. Dividends count as taxable income. The more you receive in dividends the more you have to pay in tax.

If you’re in one of the highest tax brackets then high yield dividend shares could mean handing over a lot of your annual return over to the ATO each year.

Low re-investment

If a business makes $10 million of profit and pays out $9 million of it as a dividend then it’s only retaining 10% to re-invest back into the business. It might be better for the long-term returns of the business to keep $2 million or even $5 million to re-invest.

We should want our shares to invest back into the business if it’s possible to earn a decent return on that money. Dividends are important, but capital growth is also an important part of total returns.

A high yield could indicate a risky share

Some high yield dividend shares have a yield simply because they pay out most of their profit each year.

However, other shares could have a high yield because the market doesn’t price the company’s earnings very highly.

For example, two businesses could have the same dividend payout ratio of 50%. One could have a price/earnings (p/e) ratio of 10, which would equate to a dividend yield of 5%. The other could have a p/e ratio of 20, which would equate to a dividend yield of 2.5%.

The lower p/e business may be valued lower because it’s riskier and there may be more of a chance of a dividend cut. Dividends are not safe like term deposits. We’ve already seen some dividend cuts in this COVID-19 era. 

Foolish takeaway

High yield dividend shares can be a good way of getting more income for your money. However, I’d only be interested in some of the more reliable dividend shares out there like WAM Research Limited (ASX: WAX), Naos Emerging Opportunities Company Ltd (ASX: NCC) and Rural Funds Group (ASX: RFF).

More reading

• 12 top ASX dividend shares to buy in June 2020
• 3 ASX shares I’d buy if the market hits 23 March levels again
• Get paid huge amounts of cash to own these ASX dividend shares
• 3 high yield ASX dividend shares for income
• Not keen on Westpac? Then buy these top ASX dividend shares instead

Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison owns shares of RURALFUNDS STAPLED. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of and has recommended RURALFUNDS STAPLED. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

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The recent stock market crash means that many high-quality businesses are now trading on attractive valuations. Although they could experience further challenges in the short run from threats such as geopolitical uncertainty concerning the United States and China, over the long run they offer recovery potential.

With the stock market having always recorded higher highs following its past bear markets, now could be the right time to buy a diverse range of companies and hold them for the long run.

Recovery potential

The stock market’s track record of recovery is extremely strong, and is the key reason why now could be the right time to buy bargain shares.

Certainly, it has experienced major declines such as that recorded in the recent market crash. However, it has always been able to post new record highs in the months or years following its declines.

For example, major indexes such as the FTSE 100 lost more than half their value during the global financial crisis. Yet they were able to recover to record levels in the decade-long bull market that took place as the world economy gradually recovered from the challenges it experienced in 2008/09.

Although the global economy looks set to experience a significant slowdown in its growth rate in the short run, the stock market is likely to post high returns in the coming years as investor sentiment gradually improves. Therefore, investors who are able to invest now while many companies trade on low valuations could maximise their returns as the economy, and stock market, experience improving growth rates in the coming years.

Risk management

Of course, the stock market is unlikely to grow in a smooth and uneventful fashion. Past recoveries have shown that volatility can be high while risks remain on the horizon. For example, over the coming months, a second wave of coronavirus cases could hurt investor sentiment and cause stock prices to come under pressure.

As such, it is crucial that investors manage risks through strategies such as diversification and purchasing companies with sound finances.

Diversifying across a range of industries and geographies may limit your exposure to companies that experience challenging trading conditions, as some sectors and regions may be less affected by the likely economic slowdown than others. And, by purchasing companies with sound balance sheets, it may be possible to increase your exposure to those businesses that are most likely to survive difficult operating conditions.

Starting today

Although it may require a significant amount of self-discipline to buy bargain shares after a market crash, doing so could boost your long-term return prospects. The stock market has an excellent track record of rebounding from its various bear markets. It is very likely to do likewise after its recent market crash, which could make today the ideal time to buy a range of solid businesses to hold for the long run.  

More reading

• Got $20,000? These are the ASX shares I’d buy during COVID-19
• Here’s how you invest in super to get a free $500
• The pros and cons of investing in high yield dividend shares
• 12 top ASX dividend shares to buy in June 2020
• Why the Seven Group share price was up 2% on Friday

Motley Fool contributor Peter Stephens has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

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