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Why does the ATO make me withdraw so much from my super fund?

Noel Whittaker Money columnist September 10, 2025 — 5.01am

I am a widow aged 79 with a self-managed super fund. I draw a super pension plus a small wage from my company. Why does the ATO make me withdraw so much money from my super fund for my pension?

The super fund owns a townhouse in Brisbane and has about $1 million in Australian shares. I have looked after all the shares in the super fund for the past 20 years since my husband died, but now I am selling some shares to be able to withdraw the required amount of super pension every year. The unit rental and the share dividends do not cover this required amount. As time goes by, more shares will have to be sold, which

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