Superannuation

Superannuation Articles

Coalition and labor superannuation policies

MARK ELLEM | Comments | FRIDAY, 17 MAY 2019

I love an election, particularly a federal one - it's the quintessential characteristic of democracy in action (provided there's no undue influence from foreign governments). It's also a great opportunity ... I ... Read more

Labor's superannuation and related proposals

DANIEL BUTLER , SHAUN BACKHAUS | Comments | FRIDAY, 22 MAR 2019

The next Federal election, according to our current Prime Minister Mr Scott Morrison, will be held in May 2019 and, if the Labor Government is elected, significant change is likely. Thus, a brief 'stock ... The ... Read more

Strategies to reduce your total superannuation balance

JOSEPH CHEUNG , WILLIAM FETTES | Comments | FRIDAY, 28 SEP 2018

An individual's total superannuation balance (TSB) determines many of their superannuation rights and entitlements, such as eligibility to contribute after-tax amounts into superannuation without an ... Read more

Can SMSFs invest in Bitcoin?

DANIEL BUTLER , SHAUN BACKHAUS | Comments | THURSDAY, 12 JUL 2018

While there are a large number of cryptocurrencies in existence (currently over 1600), this article will focus on Bitcoin for simplicity. Our comments contained here may apply to other cryptocurrencies ... While ... Read more

Finding sense (and dollars) in the transitional CGT relief elections

DAVID BARRETT | Comments | FRIDAY, 25 MAY 2018

The transitional capital gains tax (CGT) relief election associated with the 2017 super reform measures is a generous concession offered to super fund trustees. It protects assets which have appreciated ... The ... Read more

Downsizer contributions

LINDA BRUCE | Comments | FRIDAY, 6 APR 2018

The downsizer contributions measure was introduced by the Turnbull Government as part of the Government's broader housing affordability package to reduce pressure on housing affordability in Australia. The ... Read more

The First Home Super Saver Scheme

CHRISTOPHER CHOW | Comments | FRIDAY, 16 MAR 2018

The First Home Super Saver (FHSS) Scheme aims to reduce pressure on housing affordability by enabling first home savers to make voluntary concessional and/or non-concessional contributions into super ... The ... Read more

Who is your relative for SMSF purposes and why is this relevant?

DAVID OON | Comments | FRIDAY, 2 FEB 2018

It is important to understand who is an individual's relative for superannuation law purposes as the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993 (Cth) ('SISA') imposes certain boundaries ... It ... Read more

Do SMSF deeds need to be amended?

PAUL TANTI , PHILIP DE HAAN | Comments | MONDAY, 16 OCT 2017

We have been asked many times recently whether trust deeds of self-managed superannuation funds (SMSFs) need to be amended because of the new superannuation/tax regime that commenced on 1 July 2017. ... Read more

Is maintaining a second SMSF a Part IVA risk?

DANIEL BUTLER , DAVID OON | Comments | FRIDAY, 6 OCT 2017

This article examines the query of whether having a second or, indeed even more than two, self managed superannuation funds ('SMSFs') would give rise to a Part IVA (of the Income Tax Assessment ... This ... Read more

AMP Black Sky Report 2017

TIM KEEGAN | Comments | FRIDAY, 24 MAR 2017

Today, SMSFs control $600 billion in assets. That's one third of all superannuation money invested in Australia, making them the largest and fasted growing segment in Australia's super industr Today ... Read more

International managed portfolios: A gateway for SMSFs to invest overseas

ANDREW ALCOCK | Comments | FRIDAY, 24 JUN 2016

According to the Australian Tax Office's (ATO) latest data, SMSFs have generally had very little exposure to overseas assets. This could be viewed as contradictory to the fundamental principles of ... According ... Read more

Was the Federal Budget all bad news?

DAVID O'CONNELL | Comments | FRIDAY, 24 JUN 2016

It's now been several months since Scott Morrison handed down his first Federal Budget on 3 May 2016, with significant proposed changes to the superannuation system. It's now been several ... Read more

Searching for retirement income solutions

ALEX BURKE | Comments | FRIDAY, 4 MAR 2016

Greater scrutiny on retirement income was a cornerstone of the Financial System Inquiry, and the different theories about how to solve the issue have divided institutions, advisers and researchers. Alex ... Greater ... Read more

The perfect vehicle for the road to retirement

DAMIEN SHERMAN | Comments | THURSDAY, 11 DEC 2014

Many Australians choose self-managed super funds (SMSFs) because of the extra control and flexibility an SMSF can give them in saving for their retirement. That extra control doesn't just relate ... Read more

Putting sequence risk in its place

PAUL RESNIK , PETER WORCESTER | Comments | THURSDAY, 11 DEC 2014

Discussions of sequence or series risk regularly appear in the specialist financial media, and are increasingly appearing in the general press. In simple terms, fear of sequence risk drives investors ... Discussions ... Read more

SMSF Trustees - healthier, wealthier and living longer

DOUG MCBIRNIE , JIM HENNINGTON | Comments | THURSDAY, 11 DEC 2014

Life expectancy is a statistical indication of how long a person may live as opposed to an estimate of how long they will live. It is typically based on their year of birth, current age and gender. The ... Life ... Read more

SMSF borrowing - the need to benchmark

MICHAEL HARKIN | Comments | THURSDAY, 11 DEC 2014

Changes in the Australian Taxation Office's (ATO) interpretation of the treatment of income derived by investments made with borrowed funds means trustees and their advisers need to consider benchmarking ... Changes ... Read more

How much is the Age Pension worth?

CRAIG MCCULLOCH | Comments | THURSDAY, 11 DEC 2014

Perhaps the most obvious question to ask for any client considering the Age Pension is "how much is the Age Pension worth?" As described in our introductory paper, assigning a value to the ... Read more

Mending SMSF advice gone wrong

LAURA MILLAN | Comments | THURSDAY, 10 JUL 2014

Setting up a self-managed super fund (SMSF) has certainly been the flavour of the month for many Australian investors. Today, more than one million individual funds account for $559 billion or one third ... Setting ... Read more

For the want of a BDBN!

MICHAEL HALLINAN | Comments | THURSDAY, 10 JUL 2014

In the absence of a binding death benefit nomination, those who control the trustee will control the destination of the death benefit: hence a battle for the control of the trustee will arise. In ... Read more

Sponsored content: Do SMSFs have a use-by date?

KEAT CHEW | Comments | THURSDAY, 10 JUL 2014

Self managed super funds (SMSFs) continue to enjoy huge popularity. While much of the discussion focuses on when it is appropriate to establish a SMSF, we would suggest that many people remain in a SMSF ... Self ... Read more

New ATO SMSF penalties

GRAEME COLLEY | Comments | THURSDAY, 10 JUL 2014

With the new penalties for SMSFs, trustees and advisers need to ask themselves: "should I be afraid, very afraid," or should they just be mildly concerned? With the new penalties for SMSFs ... Read more

Preservation rules: a little known quirk

BRYCE FIGOT | Comments | THURSDAY, 10 JUL 2014

A little known quirk in the preservation rules can have important implications for clients. This article explains how the quirk arises, and then how to use it to advantage clients. In a nutshell, the ... A ... Read more

Centrelink, work and retirement savings

KIM GUEST | Comments | TUESDAY, 25 MAR 2014

Those leaving the workforce and thinking about applying for a Centrelink income support benefit should consider the effect of actual or intended future employment. Those leaving the workforce and ... Read more

Accessing social security benefits in retirement

VIC RUTH | Comments | TUESDAY, 25 MAR 2014

The decision that clients make throughout retirement affect their pension entitlements. In turn, the pension has far reaching impacts on the cost of aged care. The decision that clients make throughout ... Read more

Will you live too long?

PAUL CAHILL | Comments | TUESDAY, 25 MAR 2014

Australians are living longer than before, but there is a growing disparity between life expectancy and the superannuation balance of an average Australian. Australians are living longer than before ... Read more

How demographics drive long-term returns

PAUL WINTER , VYAS BALASUBRAMANIAN , OLIVER ANTROBUS , LUKE BROWN | Comments | TUESDAY, 25 MAR 2014

From an economic perspective, growth is a function of demographics, capital and productivity. This paper looks at demographics and highlights that ultimately, the demographic structure of a nation drives ... From ... Read more

Making the right super beneficiary nomination

JONATHAN DE FRIES | Comments | TUESDAY, 25 MAR 2014

Super beneficiary nominations is an important area of financial advice, considering a member's death benefit will often be considerably boosted by insurance proceeds and be their largest financial ... Super ... Read more

SMSF trustee dilema: domestic vs. global equities

JACK LOWENSTEIN | Comments | TUESDAY, 25 MAR 2014

Since the greatest difference in asset allocation between big super funds and SMSF is in global equities, it is worth looking at the return and risk issues in this decision making process. Since ... Read more

SMSFs are well-run and cost-competitive

GEMMA DALE | Comments | TUESDAY, 25 MAR 2014

A thorough reading of the Rice Warner report on self-managed super funds (SMSF) reveals that the findings are in fact broadly positive for the SMSF sector. A thorough reading of the Rice Warner ... Read more

Don't forget that exit strategy

MICHAEL HARKIN | Comments | TUESDAY, 13 AUG 2013

With the rush to purchase property via their SMSF, turstees are overlooking what will happen should they become disabled or die. With the rush to purchase property via their SMSF, turstees are overlooking ... Read more

Social media, a shot of credibility

DAVID RAE | Comments | TUESDAY, 13 AUG 2013

Entrant in last year's Smiley's talks to Financial Standard about how entering gave his social media clout a shot of credibility. 1) Tell me why you decided to enter the Smileys On the day the ... Entrant ... Read more

Get your clients to enjoy a long life

AARON MINNEY | Comments | TUESDAY, 13 AUG 2013

As an adviser, there are some simple approaches that you can work with your clients to implement that will improve their retirement outcomes. A basic goal in retirement is for clients' minimum spending ... As ... Read more

Beware of the "use by date" for SMSF

KEAT CHEW | Comments | TUESDAY, 13 AUG 2013

Self-managed super funds (SMSF) have a life cycle with a "use by date" after which clients can go back to their superannuation fund and potentially be better serviced. Self-managed super ... Read more

Superannuation: Survival of the fittest

KRISTEN TURNBULL | Comments | WEDNESDAY, 3 APR 2013

This white paper draws on the views of some of the superannuation sector's leaders to build a picture of the state of the industry and its growth path This white paper draws on the views ... Read more

Creating a reliable lifetime income

KENNETH MUNGAN | Comments | WEDNESDAY, 3 APR 2013

This paper analyses the problem of providing a reliable lifetime income and demonstrates the importance of risk management to achieve investor outcomes This paper analyses the problem of providing ... Read more

Outcome oriented funds: the next generation of super

SARA HIGGINS , JOHN WILSON | Comments | MONDAY, 9 JUL 2012

This research suggests that funds that target a retirement income replacement goal and are outcome-oriented are likely to be the next generation of funds. And more specifically, lifecycle strategies ... This ... Read more

Tightening QROPS - major structural changes to the regime

KEAT CHEW | Comments | MONDAY, 9 JUL 2012

Since April 2006 and after more than five years of QROPS transfers from the UK and monitoring the outflows and transfer outcomes, the British government has decided to move to tighten the regime which ... Since ... Read more

Financial adviser retirement income planning experiences, strategies, and recommendations

REBECCA KING | Comments | THURSDAY, 1 MAR 2012

Advisers report a continued increase in the percent of their clientele base who are receiving retirement income products, services, or advice from them in the past 12 months. This study also shows an ... Advisers ... Read more

Financial advice: risky business or critical growth engine

JO-ANNE BLOCH | Comments | THURSDAY, 1 MAR 2012

Many superannuation funds are thinking seriously about whether providing financial advice can help them retain members and improve awareness of the benefits they offer. Mercer believes funds can easily ... Many ... Read more

Longevity risk: the risk of ruin

MATTHEW DAVIS | Comments | THURSDAY, 17 NOV 2011

To protect and grow the wealth of their clients, financial planners must make significant changes to their traditional approach to portfolio construction and management and look at strategies designed ... To ... Read more

Guide to aged care

TONY NGUYEN | Comments | THURSDAY, 17 NOV 2011

It is important for financial advisers to understand not only the financial and social security impacts of residential aged care facilities and independent living arrangements. There are social considerations ... It ... Read more

Centrelink, work and retirement savings

DEBORAH WIXTED | Comments | MONDAY, 1 AUG 2011

Wixted looks at the effect of Centrelink income support benefit for those client leaving the workforce and the effect of actual or intended future employment. This discusses the importance of planning ... Wixted ... Read more

Limited recourse borrowing

MARK RATCLIFF | Comments | MONDAY, 1 AUG 2011

Mark Ratcliff, managing director of Sequoia Superannuation, discusses in his paper Limited recourse borrowing, how this type of borrowing can be used in conjunction with a self-managed super fund. Ratcliff ... Mark ... Read more

Death benefit nominations in super

TIM SANDERSON | Comments | FRIDAY, 11 MAR 2011

In his paper, "Death Benefit Nominations in Superannuation", Sanderson discusses the issues that arise when a superannuation fund trustee must pay their benefit in the fund to one or more ... In ... Read more

Updated Super Borrowing Rules a Minefield for the Unwary

CRAIG DAY | Comments | FRIDAY, 11 MAR 2011

Given the nature of the new limited recourse borrowing rules and their potential traps trustees, advisers should take special care to ensure they understand the requirements to properly establish and ... Given ... Read more

Superannuation Tips and Traps

DEBORAH WIXTED | Comments | FRIDAY, 11 MAR 2011

In its fourth year of 'Simpler Super' regime, which came into effect from 1 July 2007, Wixted looks at the opportunities available, discussing the different tips and traps around the 'Simpler ... In ... Read more

The Active-Passive Debate: Bear Market Performance

CHRISTOPHER PHILIPS | Comments | MONDAY, 27 SEP 2010

Christopher Philips is a senior investment analyst for Vanguard Investment Strategy Group. In this paper he assesses the questions around the benefits active equity management can provide during periods ... Christopher ... Read more

Instalment Warrant Amendments:Implications for SMSF 'Develop and Hold' Strategies

JAMES MELI | Comments | MONDAY, 27 SEP 2010

James Meli is a solicitor at Binetter Vale Lawyers that deals with all aspects of State and Federal taxes in the SME and high wealth individuals space. In this paper he discusses the instalment warrants ... James ... Read more

Remember those Minimum Pension Payments

MARTIN MURDEN | Comments | MONDAY, 27 SEP 2010

Martin Murden is a director ay Partner Services Superannuation. In his paper he asks why failure to make minimum pension payments into a self-managed supernnuation fund places valuable tax concessions ... Martin ... Read more

Finance and the Under 40s

MARK MCCRINDLE | Comments | SUNDAY, 10 MAY 2009

Generational studies are always popular among financial services specialists. Having been around for a while, information on baby boomers are plentiful. However, research into the younger generations ... Generational ... Read more

Benefits Outside the Square II: Transitioning to Retirement - the Next Phase

DAVID ANDERSON | Comments | THURSDAY, 14 JAN 2010

In the last issue, David Anderson presented the first part of his paper on the Mercer research on employee retention strategies. In this second part, he explores the issues faced by having an aging population ... In ... Read more

SMSFs Paying Complying Pensions - what to do when the Reserves can't pay the Pension Liabilities

ALEXANDRA WERNBACHER | Comments | SATURDAY, 10 JAN 2009

Alex Denham is a well known technical analyst at Challenger. This paper describes what options small fund trustees have when the complying pension they have been paying is not able to get actuarial sign-off ... Alex ... Read more

SMSF trusteeship - corporate or individual?

DAVID SHIRLOW | Comments | MONDAY, 1 JAN 2007

For clients contemplating establishing a self-managed superannuation fund (SMSF) one of the key considerations will be whether the trustee should be a company or two or more individuals. We estimate ... Read more

Super estate planning

SAM WALL | Comments | SUNDAY, 1 JAN 2006

Understanding the various provisions for life insurance and death benefits under the tax act can minimise a Self Managed Super-annuation Fund's (SMSF) taxable income, maximise payments and ensure ... Understanding ... Read more

Would your client benefit from a defined benefit pension?

KEVIN SMITH | Comments | SUNDAY, 1 JAN 2006

This article looks at the window of opportunity for self managed superannuation funds (SMSFs) to commence the payment of a defined benefit pension on or before 30 June 2005. Superannuation law was amended ... This ... Read more

Superannuation contribution and access (cashing) rules

JOHN CIACCIARELLI | Comments | SUNDAY, 1 JAN 2006

This paper explores the planning issues and resulting opportunities from the superannuation rule changes effective 1 July 2004, including the following: No work test for under age 65 contributors All ... This ... Read more

Examining the business of Self Managed Superannuation Funds (SMSFs)

KATE ANDERSON | Comments | SUNDAY, 1 JAN 2006

Examining the business of self managed superannuation funds (SMSFs) investing in Property from which the members can run their business. Over the last couple of years, one of the issues giving rise to ... Examining ... Read more

Increased death benefits The potential for anti-detriment payments

MARTIN BRECKON | Comments | SUNDAY, 1 JAN 2006

What are "anti-detriment benefits"? On the death of a superannuation fund member, certain death benefit recipients may be eligible to receive a top-up amount on their share of the benefit amount ... What ... Read more

The challenges facing SMSF investors

GILES CRAIG | Comments | SUNDAY, 1 JAN 2006

The word "challenge" has several connotations. For many investors, the challenge of running a self-managed super fund (SMSF) is one to be relished. The challenge is to beat the professionals ... The ... Read more

Major super announcements from the Treasurer

DAVID SHIRLOW | Comments | SUNDAY, 1 JAN 2006

Essentially, the plan remains as previously announced, but the new details do indicate a change of position on some proposals as well as a welcome clarification of other proposals (albeit in some cases ... Essentially ... Read more

Self-managed superannuation funds investing in property

GRAEME COLLEY | Comments | SUNDAY, 1 JAN 2006

As a segment of the superannuation industry, self-managed superannuation funds (SMSFs) display a wide range of characteristics. Some have investment portfolios with highly diversified arrangements traded ... As ... Read more

An accountant's view of the SMSF market

GILES CRAIG | Comments | MONDAY, 1 JAN 2007

One often thinks of challenges and opportunities as opposites, but according to the latest research from AMP Capital Investors and Investment Trends, the growing self-managed super funds (SMSFs) market ... One ... Read more

The intersection of advice and clearing exchanges

MICHAEL FIELDING | Comments | MONDAY, 1 JAN 2007

Clearing houses are not just for corporate super funds, they are also very important for advisers who need super funds to be more efficient. Clearing exchanges would be something you would expect to ... Read more

Self-managed superannuation funds and the acquisition of assets

KATE ANDERSON | Comments | MONDAY, 1 JAN 2007

The choice to set up one's own selfmanaged superannuation fund (SMSF) is becoming an increasingly popular one for many Australians in the lead up to the Federal government's reforms to simplify ... The ... Read more

Super Simplification and defined benefit pensions in self-managed super funds

GRAEME COLLEY | Comments | MONDAY, 1 JAN 2007

Until 11 May 2004 it was possible for all types of superannuation funds to provide defined benefit pensions to members. At the time the definition of a defined benefit pension was any pension except ... Read more

Group insurance undergoes a significant change in Australia

MICHAEL ROGERS | Comments | MONDAY, 1 JAN 2007

Group Insurance has always been a tremendous platform for making insurance more accessible to more people, but increased competition and strong economic conditions have meant Group Insurers have had ... Read more

Insurance inside super - some obvious and some less obvious benefits

JONATHAN DE FRIES | Comments | TUESDAY, 1 JAN 2008

When analysing the proposition of holding insurance in super it's tempting to focus on tax - the tax treatment of premiums and the taxation of claims paid in the form of super benefits. While we ... Read more

Trauma insurance - is it necessary and should it be provided via superannuation?

JEFFREY SCOTT | Comments | TUESDAY, 1 JAN 2008

Trauma insurance commenced on 6 October 1983, when Dr Marius Barnard helped launch the first policy in South Africa. The policy was designed to help clients pay for medical expenses associated with heart ... Trauma ... Read more

Superannuation and bankruptcy

MICHAEL HALLINAN | Comments | TUESDAY, 1 JAN 2008

Can superannuation investments be attacked when a person becomes bankrupt? The critical points of attack in relation to superannuation are potentially contributions, a superannuation account balance ... Can ... Read more

The multi-billion dollar battle that you must win

WAYNE WALKER | Comments | TUESDAY, 1 JAN 2008

There are many market myths in the superannuation industry. This paper shows that fund choice is alive and well and constitutes a multi-billion dollar competitive battlefield. This competition augurs ... There ... Read more

Superannuation and the self-employed

ROSS CLARE | Comments | FRIDAY, 22 MAY 2009

Ross Clare works at the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia. In this paper Ross takes data published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics to determine the level and diversity of superannuation ... Ross ... Read more

Account based pensions - more than just a pretty face

GRAEME COLLEY | Comments | FRIDAY, 22 MAY 2009

Graeme Colley delivers some excellent research on how the Better Super accountbased pensions provide a sound basis for retiree clients. It should be possible to place "restrictions on an account-based ... Graeme ... Read more

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