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Tag: Trustees

Has your SMSF been missing out on offshore gains?

SUMMARY: Failing to attain international exposure continues to cost SMSFs big bucks. Here are three ways you can do it easily. It’s not quite “mutual exclusivity”, but Australia’s self-managed super fund investors and international equities are, let’s say, not well acquainted. It’s a pity. A huge shame. That’s partly because, ignoring how much myself and […]

The nine risks for DIY fund operators in 2016

SUMMARY: No time to relax. SMSF trustees need to consider the risks ahead in 2016 and act now. It’s been nicely quiet out there in DIY super regulation land. Occasional jawboning, the odd threat, but little to no action. The lack of big changes in recent years has been welcome, given the turmoil of the period […]

Lending to your SMSF? Look out

SUMMARY: SMSFs who were pushing the boundaries on 0% related-party loans face big tax penalties from the ATO. When the Tax Office wants to close a door, they’ve been known to slam it with a noise that can be heard for miles. This sometimes happens even where they themselves opened the door and then left […]

A million reasons to watch SMSFs

SUMMARY: SMSFs continue to do what they know best – make sure that their own best interests are being looked after. UNDERDOG status is something with which DIY super funds have long been comfortable. Being underestimated has never worried them. Authorities and outsiders often misread them, misunderstand what drives them and mis-judge how they’re going […]

Renewed threat to SMSF property gearing

SUMMARY: Is the end nigh for SMSF property gearing strategies? If you’ve been considering making a geared property investment inside a SMSF for a while, I don’t know that I would be dithering for much longer. It’s beginning to feel like the vice handle is being turned and squeezing SMSFs. The end could be in […]

Watch out: You’re now a sophisticated SMSF

SUMMARY: ASIC lowers the bar. Now more than half of all SMSF trustees will be considered sophisticated. Self-managed super fund trustees are used to fending for themselves and, reasonably successfully, fighting off the sharks. But following a stunning week in news that affects you, it’s clear that you’re going to have become even better at […]

Deferred annuities: A timely review

SUMMARY: Finally, we’re going to get serious about super retirement income-stream products. It’s been a concern of the industry for a long time. When it comes to turning on an income stream from your super, the options have been way too limited. This is part innovation. But it is also partly to do with the […]

Did you beat the super benchmark?

SUMMARY: Did you have a good year as investment manager for your SMSF? The answer is “no” if your portfolio didn’t return 13.8%. It’s not just double digits for the second year in succession, it’s the second year in the teens. If you’re chasing returns – which we all are to a degree, each with […]

How to avoid a super death tax

SUMMARY: Protecting your family from super’s death tax can take a little planning. Superannuation, on the surface, is about saving for your retirement. In fact, that aim is actually enshrined as the “sole purpose” of superannuation. You save via super for decades. At some point close to retirement – before, at or some time after […]

The pros and cons of SMSFs

SUMMARY: Should I start my own SMSF? Why should I, and why should I not? Their numbers topped 500,000 a while ago. And their members have recently passed through the one million mark. Self-managed super funds seem to be the most popular thing since Bob Hawke declared a defacto public holiday for Australia II winning […]