Opinion piece written by John Maroney, CEO, SMSF Association First published in Financial Review on 23 January 2023. Licensed by Copyright Agency.  It’s not only about the starting amount, says the regulator – illustrating the point with two different case studies. For anyone considering setting up a self-managed super fund, the updated guidance released recently…

Opinion piece written by John Maroney, CEO, SMSF Association First published in Financial Review on 27 December 2022. Licensed by Copyright Agency.  With government proposals to cap large super balances, there are four key issues to consider. There will be no shortage of issues for self-managed super funds to grapple with in 2023. The debate…

Written by Peter Burgess, Deputy CEO / Director of Policy & Education On December 8 2022 ASIC released information Sheet 274 Tips for giving self-managed superannuation fund advice (INFO 274). This information sheet is designed to help Australian financial services (AFS) licensees and their representatives comply with their obligations when providing personal advice about SMSFs. INFO…

Opinion piece written by John Maroney, CEO, SMSF Association First published in Financial Review on 1 December 2022. Licensed by Copyright Agency.  The income threshold for eligibility for a Senior’s Health Card has just been significantly increased in gift to many self-funded retirees. For some self-managed super fund (SMSF) members, Christmas has come early. Seven…

Opinion piece written by John Maroney, CEO, SMSF Association First published in Financial Review on 4 November 2022. Licensed by Copyright Agency.  An ATO ruling that excludes family members on the death or divorce of their natural parent seems arbitrary in a society where blended families are widespread. For self-managed super fund trustees, the issue…

Opinion piece written by John Maroney, CEO, SMSF Association First published in Financial Review on 5 October 2022. Licensed by Copyright Agency.  The High Court decision in Hill v Zuda has given trustees greater certainty around binding death benefit nominations. The High Court has spoken. In its decision in Hill v Zuda Pty Ltd, it…

Opinion piece written by John Maroney, CEO, SMSF Association First published in Financial Review on 7 September 2022. Licensed by Copyright Agency.  Accountants are crucial to DIY super funds yet their role has been overlooked in the Quality of Advice Review. When the Quality of Advice Review consultation paper was handed down recently, there was…

Opinion piece written by John Maroney, CEO, SMSF Association First published in Financial Review on 10 August 2022. Licensed by Copyright Agency.  Recontribution tactics made possible by rule changes are a game changer for older Australians and their families. The 2021 federal budget introduced sweeping changes to superannuation, most of which have become law. Two…

Opinion piece written by John Maroney, CEO, SMSF Association First published in Financial Review on 14 July 2022. Licensed by Copyright Agency.  The Future of Financial Advice Review offers an opportunity to get the balance right on compliance versus cost. For self-managed super fund investors, financial advice has gone from the sublime to the ridiculous.…

Opinion piece written by John Maroney, CEO, SMSF Association First published in Financial Review on 16 June 2022. Licensed by Copyright Agency.  The sector is anxiously waiting to see if the Labor government will proceed with some crucial changes that were in the pipeline before the election. The self-managed super fund (SMSF) sector is anxiously…