You may be aware that the Australian Tax Office (ATO) has issued letters to nearly 18,000 SMSF trustees as part of a campaign to ensure trustees are aware of their investment obligations. Of key concern is ensuring that trustees have considered diversification and liquidity of their assets when formulating and executing their fund’s investment strategy.…
August 2, 2019
3 common SMSF mistakes and how to avoid them
Managing an SMSF can be difficult. However, with the right skillset, effective organisation and specialist advice, SMSFs can be a great vehicle to fund your retirement. Each year the Australian Tax Office (ATO) releases the most common mistakes that SMSF trustees make when administrating their SMSF. Unfortunately, these mistakes continually revolve around an SMSF being…
July 2, 2019
Your new financial year SMSF health check
With a new financial year beginning, it is a perfect time to review your SMSF and give it a clean bill of health for the upcoming 12 months. The following list provides a series of considerations that you and your SMSF Specialist Adviser should review. 1.  Take stock of your SMSF investment return and…
June 4, 2019
Your insurance cover may be changing
In February this year, the Government passed legislation which prevents trustees of APRA-regulated funds from providing insurance to members with inactive superannuation accounts, unless a member has specifically directed otherwise. It is a common practice for many individuals with an SMSF to also have a secondary APRA-regulated fund which provides them with insurance. This may…
June 4, 2019
Are you ready for the end of the financial year?
With the end of financial year fast approaching and certainty with Government and its super policies it is the time to ensure everything is in place for your SMSF before 30 June 2019. Below are some strategies that you may need to consider and ensure the plans you have in place are the best for…
February 7, 2019
Your SMSF investment strategy and portfolio
As a trustee you are required to review your investment strategy regularly to ensure it continues to reflect the purpose and circumstances of your fund and its members An SMSF investment strategy must take into account the following: The risks involving in making, holding and realising the SMSFs investments, their expected return and cash flow…
December 12, 2018
Is your SMSF adequately diversified?
There are numerous benefits of a well-diversified portfolio including mitigating volatility and short-term downside investment risks, preserving capital and the long-run benefits of higher overall returns. By spreading your SMSF’s investments across different asset classes and markets offering different risks and returns, you may better position yourself for a secure retirement. However, did you know…
November 5, 2018
Can your SMSF invest in a racehorse?
A popular question around Melbourne Cup time, can your SMSF invest in a racehorse? Unfortunately, the answer isn’t a simple yes or no. Whilst there is no direct restriction on investing in a race horse, the biggest issue is whether investing in a racehorse satisfies the specific legal requirements of superannuation law. Ultimately, more often…
October 30, 2018
Setting up an SMSF – What do you need to consider?
Setting up a self managed super fund (SMSF) can be complicated. Not getting it right can materially affect your financial situation and retirement plans. But don’t stress, this paper will help you ask the big questions. The first question you need to be sure about is whether an SMSF is the right fit for you…
October 24, 2018
Ready to set up an SMSF?
You’ve weighed up all the pros and cons and decided to establish a self managed super fund (SMSF). The establishment of an SMSF requires a lot of decisions to be made by you as an SMSF trustee in conjunction with appropriate advice from your advisor. Use the below checklist to ensure every step has been…