SMSFs

After cutting its teeth as a commercial property lender during the GFC, Thinktank – thanks to strong strategic relationships and conservative credit policies – is well funded and prepared for the market to turn, says BDM Lauren Ryan.

Peter Burgess told the SMSF Association’s National Conference the industry group has pushed for some of the developments, while it continues to oppose others, such as a high-balance cap. The government now plans instead to double the tax rate for funds with very high balances.

The success and popularity of SMSFs has also given several hundred thousand people direct access to their retirement savings. More concerning, the ATO believes, is that fraudsters are starting to take notice.

Speaking at the SMSF Association’s National Conference, the assistant treasurer called out “modern-day Edmund Hillarys” seeking to raid Australia’s “Mount Everest of superannuation” as he pressed the need for an objective for super that prioritises preservation.

Despite a growth hiccup in 2022 the SMSF sector is trending in the right direction, with more younger people opting for choice in the way they manage their retirement savings.

The shift to healthy longer term deposits has begun, and while Australian equities still dominate SMSF portfolios the way they access them is changing.

The federal government is seeking feedback on proposed changes to rules aimed at preventing non-arm’s-length transactions by superannuation funds, in a bid to address concern that SMSFs and smaller funds that breach the provisions could be disproportionately penalised.

The SMSF adviser took an unusual path to joining the profession, one that involved almost a decade playing rugby on the hot sand and gravel of Saudi Arabia.

Litigation involving estate planning and superannuation is ramping up, with major impacts on self-managed super funds, and in particular trustee obligations. Cooper Grace Ward partner Hayley Mitchell discusses key case law SMSF trustees should be sure to know about.

The likely ‘double-bump’ transfer balance cap increase to $1.9 million will exacerbate what is already an “overly complex” indexation rule that advisers have to navigate and explain to clients, the SMSF Association’s Fabian Bussoletti says.

Australians’ penchant for property investment comes with the caveat that patience is a necessary virtue. This applies doubly so for fretful LRBA holders, writes Nicholas Way.

Litigation involving estate planning and superannuation is ramping up, with major impacts on self-managed super funds, and in particular trustee obligations. Cooper Grace Ward partner Hayley Mitchell discusses key recent case law and what it means for estate planning and SMSF management.