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…
Run your own super fund? This is what to watch out for in 2023
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…
Issue 40: What’s ahead in 2023
There is always a temptation to look at a year in isolation, rather than placing it in the context of a slightly longer view, maybe within the last — not to mention the next two, three or even five years. So, it’s not surprising to see commentary for 2023 suggesting home prices continuing to fall,…
ASIC releases updated SMSF advice guidance
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…
How retirees can save more than $3000 a year
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…
Issue 39: A recap on 2022 and a peak at 2023
It may seem a little premature to be writing about what happened this year, however let’s get in early as plenty of others will write on the subject as we cross over from 2022 to 2023. And of course, it’s always good to look back and see what was suggested for 2022 and how we…
When stepchildren miss out on inheritance
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…
Issue 38: Australia gained 400,000 new millionaires and it has a lot to do with property!
Now I have your attention, that’s according to the Credit Suisse Research Institute’s Global Wealth Report released in September, now more than a year after the study was conducted. Another factor contributing to the growth in Australian millionaires is from stock market gains, which when added to those of property and other investments saw Australian’s’ average wealth…
Deciding who gets your super after you die? Follow these three steps
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…
Issue 37: What will be the next big thing in investing?
With many commentators, be they financial journalists, investment managers or perhaps those around the Sunday barbeque predicting the next big thing… ‘will it be lithium to create batteries for EVs, biotech or ESG investing for social good or the return of small cap companies’… it may be time to reflect on where we are in…