Financial Planning
Being involved in the Self Managed Superannuation Funds (SMSFs) sector mean you are part of the largest and fastest growing segment of the superannuation industry.
However, managing one can be complex and time consuming. Regulations are constantly changing and as wealth accumulates there are issues other than simply investing that need to be considered, issues such as taxation issues.
There are 7 different types of super funds to choose from, including:
MySuper Retail funds
Industry funds Public sector funds
Corporate funds Eligible rollover funds
Self-managed super funds
Each type of super fund listed above has different features and benefits, and can be simple or complex, depending on your needs.
An SMSF provides one of the most tax effective and flexible ways to grow wealth for retirement. However, managing your own superannuation takes knowledge, skill, time, and money and it is important that you satisfy yourself that you are willing and able to invest the necessary time and energy to successfully manage an SMSF.
How do SMSFs work? All superannuation funds are managed and controlled by trustees who make the decisions about where and how to invest the funds of members. It is the duty of the trustees to act at all times in the best interests of members of the fund.
An SMSF is a type of trust with specific rules detailed in a trust deed, and also through various forms of legislation. Membership of an SMSF is limited to 4 or less members. All members must also act as Trustees of the trust and who have responsibility for running the fund on a day to day basis.
Trustees are either individuals, or are directors of a company that is Trustee (i.e. a Corporate Trustee). SMSFs are regulated by the Australian Taxation Office. Although the Trustees are ultimately responsible for the fund, Paisley Robertson can provide strategy advice and expertise to ensure that your fund is administered correctly and efficiently.
As with other superannuation funds, the trustees must consider how to invest the fund's assets (according to an investment strategy specifically prepared for the individual fund) and whether life insurance cover is required. This strategy must be put in place when the fund commences and must be reviewed regularly.
All investments made by the trustees are to be made in accordance with the strategy and must also consider any legal investment restrictions. These restrictions are designed to protect members' funds by ensuring that the sole purpose of the fund is to build wealth for retirement and to prevent over exposure to risk.
The advantages and disadvantages of SMSFs
The advantages
You retain control of your own money
You make your own investment and insurance decisions
Flexibility to meet your family's specific circumstances and can be adjusted as those circumstances change over time
Funds can be used to provide benefits to the members, their children, and grandchildren
You can create your own retirement plan, including a transition to retirement pension
They are tax effective e.g. income and capital gains in the fund taxed at 15% (capital gains tax @10% if held for over 12 months)
Benefit from other tax strategies such as salary sacrificing, transition to retirement pensions, re-contributions, etc.
Tax free once a pension started at age 60
Ability to borrow, including to invest in direct residential or commercial property
SME owners can hold their business premises in their SMSFs for the purposes of tax, asset-protection, succession planning (for family enterprises) and security of tenancy.
SMSF members can generally change their investments and/or the asset allocation of their portfolios quicker than larger funds
Potential to cut costs, particularly SMSFs with larger balances
Up to 4 people - generally family members - can pool their super savings to buy assets that individually you could not otherwise afford
Flexible estate planning i.e. the fund can continue after your death
The disadvantages
The burden of legal responsibility that each trustee carries^
Detailed record keeping and administration
Time and resources necessary to run your own super fund
Certain restrictions as to what assets can be bought and sold by the fund and trustees
Need for investment knowledge
Penalties for non-compliance
Risk of poor diversity from investing in one single asset such as an investment property
High costs for small balances
No access to the Superannuation Complaints Tribunal (SCT) in the event of a dispute
Hazard of a dominant trustee
Risk of losing interest
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