smsfs

The government may have proposed it as a “modest” change to the super system, but the effects will be far reaching. For advisers dealing with this latest regulatory intervention, a handful of key questions need answering.

The Aged Care Act, achieved with rare political cooperation, will put residential and home care on a more sustainable basis with individuals’ contributions more closely attuned to their financial position.

More and more SMSFs are being set up without the assistance of a financial adviser. As the gulf between demand and supply widens, consumers are looking at alternative sources of information for their self-directed retirement needs.

In the 2019 federal election, Labor’s proposal to abolish cash refunds for excess franking credits went down like a lead balloon. So, will the $3 million cap proposal see Labor revisit history?

Tax on unrealised assets is virtually unheard of in Australia, and imposing one on fund members sets a dangerous precedent according to the SMSF Association, which says it’s “completely unreasonable” for retirees to plan for “such a radical departure from existing policy”.

It seems that while the older generations may be tilting towards simplification, the younger generations are looking for control and engagement. For financial advisers, this is a trend worth noting.

The government’s plan to increase taxes on super balances above $3 million will have a costly impact on the SMSF sector, with thousands of members likely to face liquidity stress, according to new research from the University of Adelaide’s International Centre for Financial Services.

A visit to an adviser at a young age gave Paul Nicol pause for thought. Instead of just investing with the help of a financial planner, why not put in the hard work and become one?

Despite facing rising interest rates, a higher cost of capital and concerns about their borrowing base, non-bank lenders have made their place in the Australian economy in moments like this, when funding is needed and otherwise hard to get, says Thinktank’s Jonathan Street.

With new data showing offshore share investments comprise just 2 percent of total self-managed superannuation fund assets in Australia, advisers are warning SMSFs against overreliance on domestic shares and cash and urging diversification.