Illegal SMSF access a problem, but focus on the bigger super picture
Illegal access to SMSFs by their trustees is one of those issues with a radar signature starting to pulse, but while it must be addressed, it should not overshadow the sector's health.
'Neither simple nor fair': Super stakeholders push back over unrealised gains hurdle
While the move to tax superannuation balances above $3 million at a higher rate would affect only a handful of people at first, if the threshold is not indexed to inflation, future generations may be turned off from investing in their super, industry leaders say.
LRBA holders to ride property market out, despite volatility blip
Australians' penchant for property investment comes with the caveat that patience is a necessary virtue. This applies doubly so for fretful LRBA holders, writes Nicholas Way.
Maroney leaves large footprint on SMSF sector
The CEO of the SMSF Association, John Maroney, will step down after the 2023 National Conference in Melbourne after nearly six years in the position.
Private markets remain key to income, diversification
News that Australian Super had reported a negative return of just 2.7 per cent for the FY22 financial year likely came as a surprise to many.
SOAs do little to address information asymmetry
While the focus of the advice industry groups has very much been around making the day to day lives of those in the industry easier, the likes of the AFCA, Vanguard and several law firms have offered insight into the impact on the consumer.
'Incredible' dispersion in balanced fund returns
2022 has marked just the fifth financial year of negative returns since the SG became compulsory in 1992. This should not be a surprising result.
Is your self-managed super fund capable of buying gold?
Gold has a colourful history, going back thousands of years, as a means to store and transport wealth and a way to help protect against the inflationary impacts on currency buying power.
High court ruling gives certainty on binding nominations
Self-managed super funds have once again returned to popularity in recent years, with establishments seeing growth once again, as more Australians become engaged with their retirement assets.
Regulator warns underperforming funds on member comms
Bringing oversight to a multi-trillion dollar sector was important, but the regulations are far from perfect, with many suggesting they effectively direct industry funds toward an indexed approach, or alternatively, don't appreciate the nuances of investing for the very long-term.
SMSF specialist training should be 'set in stone': SMSF Association
The peak body for those advising self-managed super funds, the SMSF Association, has called for a higher education requirement for the sector.
Renew your client review
During a recent presentation of Invesco Global Consulting's program, Priceless, I asked a room full of advisers how many of them had changed the way they do their annual client review meetings in the last 5 years (COVID19 changes aside).
SMSF numbers jump, top industry fund growth in 2022
The lockdowns of 2021 and a trend for younger people to set up a self-managed superannuation funds (SMSFs) have driven a sharp growth in the number of funds being established in Australia with assets their assets under management (AUM) now approaching $1 trillion.
Super wars renewed by Morrison ahead of election
Once a stalking horse for a small cabal of noisy backbenchers, "Home First, Super Second" has found its way into the Coalition's policy arsenal ahead of an unpredictable election.
Stability, simplification, abolition of Safe Harbour, FDS proposed
"We are at a critical crossroad, with an aging population, and the "Great Australian Wealth Transfer" at our doorstep" explained Lifespan Financial Planning CEO Eugene Ardino in an open letter to Scott Morrison and Anthony Albanese on the eve of the Federal Election.
Superannuation returns hit by volatility
A bounce in share markets in March supported superannuation fund performance in the first quarter of 2022. However, with inflation concerns mounting, global share markets remain volatile, including the hard-hit US share market, which is likely to dent superannuation returns for the current financial year.
