Maximising Your Super: How to Keep Fees Low and Control High

At Nucleus Wealth, we believe your investments should reflect your values. Through our expertly managed accounts, you have the power to apply custom screens and tilts to your portfolio. Whether you want to exclude fossil fuels or increase your exposure to nuclear power, you're in the driver's seat.

But when it comes to superannuation, things get a bit more complicated.

The Superannuation Challenge

Superannuation trustees set strict rules on what you can and cannot invest in. These regulations often limit how much you can customise your investments within super. Because of this, choosing the right investment platform for your current account balance is critical to maximising your long-term returns.

Enter the DASH Platform

For investors building their superannuation balance, we often recommend the DASH platform. Here is why:

• Zero Fixed Fees: The standout benefit of DASH is its fee structure. With no fixed platform fees, it is incredibly competitive for lower investment balances. You keep more of your money working for you, rather than losing it to administrative costs.
• Strong Local Customisation: When it comes to Australian stocks and bonds, DASH offers most of the flexibility and customisation you will find on our premium platforms. You can still seamlessly align your local portfolio with your specific goals and ethics.

The Trade-off: International Exposure

We believe in absolute transparency, which means being upfront about the limitations of any platform. The main downside to DASH is its restrictions on international investments.

To give you global exposure on DASH, we use Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) rather than individual international shares. While ETFs are excellent for achieving broad diversification, they offer fewer opportunities to apply granular ethical screens or thematic tilts to individual overseas companies.

The Nucleus Wealth Playbook: A Platform for Every Stage

We view DASH as the perfect launching pad. Our approach is to match the platform to your progressing wealth, ensuring you never pay more in fees than you need to, while unlocking the customisation you want.

Here is our rough guide on how to navigate platforms as your balance grows:

• Below $150,000: Start on DASH. The lack of fixed fees makes this the most cost-effective way to grow your superannuation.
• Between $150,000 and $250,000: The transition zone. Your choice here depends entirely on how much international customisation you want versus the platform fees you are willing to pay.
• Above $250,000: As your wealth grows, we suggest graduating to platforms like Praemium or Interactive Brokers (often through a Self-Managed Super Fund, or SMSF). These platforms unlock professional-grade access and complete, uncapped control over your portfolio.

The Bottom Line

Investing shouldn't be a black box. By starting on DASH and progressing to more advanced platforms as your balance grows, you get the best of both worlds: low fees when starting out, and absolute control when you need it most.

Ready to find the right platform for your superannuation balance? Contact our team to talk about your future financial plans, or sign up to see how your account can look like!