With headlines talking of a volatile and challenging year to the end of June; citing geopolitical tensions in Eastern Europe, rising inflation and interest rates lead to equity markets here in Australia and overseas falling. It’s hard to keep any eye on the big picture that is our investment strategy, let alone the bigger one;…
July 14, 2022
Why rules need to change on SMSF financial advice
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.…
June 23, 2022
Issue 34: Half-year review and what may lay ahead
You do not need me to tell you that financial markets are experiencing ‘interesting times’. From what appeared as a full-on recovery in the economy and positive outcomes for investors late last year and early into the calendar year, we are hearing talk of bear markets and even a possible recession. And of course, those…
June 17, 2022
Why self-managed super funds are anxious about these 3 reforms
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…
May 27, 2022
Issue 33: Rising interest rates – one coin, two sides
‘Following the RBA’s decision to raise interest rates yesterday, we will be applying the full increase to all of our deposit and savings accounts immediately’, said no bank ever! And it probably will be sometime, if not decades before this becomes a true statement. Much, if not most of the commentary following the first rise…
May 26, 2022
The outcome of the Federal Election – what it may mean for SMSFs?
Written by Guest Contributor – Ian Irvine While the results and final outcomes of last Saturday’s Federal Election are yet to be completed, it is certain that there will be changes to current policy settings and direction from the incoming ALP government. Before the election both the Coalition and ALP made it clear that they…
May 18, 2022
What the new super rules mean for those aged 67-75
Opinion piece written by John Maroney, CEO, SMSF Association First published in Financial Review on 18 May 2022. Licensed by Copyright Agency. From July 1, they will be able to contribute without having to meet the work test, but they need to watch out for contribution caps and tax deductions. For self-managed super fund trustees, July…
April 28, 2022
Issue 32: The value of advice and a trusted adviser – Part 2
This article was initially planned with a working title of “What came from the Federal Budget?’ and while there may have been a collective ‘Phew, nothing unexpected’, for advisers and SMSF industry specialists the reason for the relief may have been different from that of investors and trustees. For investors and SMSF trustees, true, there…
April 27, 2022
Why poor SMSF planning will leave less for your heirs
Opinion piece written by John Maroney, CEO, SMSF Association First published in Financial Review on 27 April 2022. Licensed by Copyright Agency. A well-considered estate plan will make life easier for any beneficiaries – the invaluable parting gift. For self-managed super funds, now numbering around 600,000 and with assets approaching $900 billion, estate planning has…
April 20, 2022
Research report nails message – SMSFs need to further diversify
Opinion piece written by John Maroney, CEO, SMSF Association First published in Brisbane Times on 19 April 2022. Licensed by Copyright Agency. The evidence is in: self-managed super funds (SMSFs) that have diversified investment portfolios outperform those that do not. This is the compelling finding of a comprehensive new research report entitled “understanding self-managed super…