Administration & Management

Administration & Management Articles

SMSFs and 'Australian superannuation fund' status

DAVID BARRETT , WILLIAM MOLONEY | Comments | FRIDAY, 7 FEB 2020

Being an 'Australian superannuation fund' (ASF) is one of the requirements to be considered a 'complying superannuation fund'. Although this concept is relevant for all superannuation ... Being ... Read more

Limited recourse borrowing arrangements

ALLISON MURPHY , WILLIAM FETTES | Comments | FRIDAY, 6 DEC 2019

The limited recourse borrowing arrangement (LRBA) lending market has undergone a significant shift in recent years, with most first-tier bank lenders withdrawing their LRBA offerings for purchasers of ... The ... Read more

The $1.6 million transfer balance cap revisited

KIMBERLEY NOAH , WILLIAM FETTES | Comments | FRIDAY, 22 NOV 2019

The $1.6 million transfer balance cap (TBC) imposes a limit on the total amount that a fund member can transfer into an exempt (retirement phase) pension. The TBC was introduced with effect from July ... The ... Read more

Superannuation guarantee amnesty introduced ... again

FLETCH HEINEMANN | Comments | THURSDAY, 24 OCT 2019

On May 24 2018, the government first introduced a 12-month superannuation guarantee (SG) amnesty. The relevant Bill failed to pass the Senate and then lapsed when the federal election was called on 11 ... On ... Read more

SMSFs and family law

JANET MANZANERO-CARUANA | Comments | FRIDAY, 4 OCT 2019

There were 49,032 divorces granted in 2017, an increase from 46,604 in 2016, and that's not counting de facto relationship breakdowns (ABS, 2017). What usually follows separation or divorce is the ... There ... Read more

Super contribution options in 2019-20

DAVID BARRETT | Comments | THURSDAY, 29 AUG 2019

From a legislative development perspective, the Federal Government election result on 18 May 2019 has provided a more stable outlook for financial services professionals, at least over the short term. From ... Read more

Unlisted SMSF assets could mean a qualified audit

MARJON MUIZER | Comments | THURSDAY, 15 AUG 2019

At tax time, no SMSF (self-managed super fund) wants a qualified audit. Yet the chance is higher if you hold unlisted assets, particularly unlisted trusts and companies, plus any loans you've made. These ... At ... Read more

SMSF, real property and death

YVONNE CHU | Comments | FRIDAY, 9 AUG 2019

The ability to invest directly in real properties (commercial or residential) is often one of the main reasons that clients decide to establish a self-managed superannuation fund (SMSF). The possibility ... The ... Read more

Impact of super rollovers on clients' eligible service date

YVONNE CHU | Comments | THURSDAY, 25 JUL 2019

Superannuation rollovers are one of the most frequently recommended strategies by advisers. However, care should be exercised when implementing rollover strategies, particularly for clients who have ... Read more

Self-assessments of governance, accountability and culture

SAMANTHA CARROLL | Comments | THURSDAY, 4 JUL 2019

In May 2019 APRA released an Information Paper on the findings arising from self-assessments of governance, accountability and culture. The request for self-assessments followed APRA's release of the ... In ... Read more

Should superannuation funds segregate their assets?

RAEWYN WILLIAMS | Comments | WEDNESDAY, 26 JUN 2019

Last year almost two-thirds of superannuation contributions received by APRA-regulated funds were paid back out to members as benefits. This shift from 'stash' to 'splash' has significant ramifications ... Last ... Read more

Super fund transfers and wind ups

SHAUN MCGUSHIN | Comments | THURSDAY, 23 MAY 2019

The merger of superannuation funds (funds) is becoming a hot topic following several years of scrutiny. Indeed the Australian Securities and Investments Commission has recently stated publicly that it ... The ... Read more

Is an alternate director for an SMSF better than a successor director?

CHRISTIAN PAKPAHAN , DANIEL BUTLER | Comments | FRIDAY, 22 FEB 2019

We compare the option of a director nominating an alternate director in contrast to nominating a successor director in a self-managed superannuation fund ('SMSF') context to determine which is better. We ... Read more

What disqualifies you from having an SMSF?

CHRISTIAN PAKPAHAN , DANIEL BUTLER | Comments | FRIDAY, 25 JAN 2019

This article covers the main ways a person becomes a disqualified person, the consequences of disqualification and the options available to those who are disqualified. (We refer to a trustee in this ... Read more

The new ipso facto regime and SMSFs

JOSEPH CHEUNG , DANIEL BUTLER | Comments | THURSDAY, 13 DEC 2018

The new law pertaining to 'ipso facto' clauses came into operation on 1 July 2018. This article highlights the relevance of the new law for SMSFs. Note that the law in this area is complex and ... The ... Read more

Proposed superannuation guarantee amnesty raises opportunities and risks

CHRISTIAN PAKPAHAN , DANIEL BUTLER | Comments | FRIDAY, 21 SEP 2018

On 24 May 2018, the Government announced a 12 month superannuation guarantee (SG) amnesty that proposes to give employers an opportunity to rectify past SG non-compliance without penalty. If the Treasury ... On ... Read more

How will downsizer contributions and the First Home Super Saver Scheme work for SMSFs?

CHRISTIAN PAKPAHAN , DANIEL BUTLER | Comments | FRIDAY, 9 FEB 2018

The Treasury Laws Amendment (Reducing Pressure On Housing Affordability Measures No. 1) Act 2017 (Cth), which introduces downsizer contributions and the First Home Super Saver Scheme, received royal ... Read more

The game has changed: How technology is disrupting the SMSF industry

PATRICK GARRETT , DAVID BLUMENTHAL | Comments | FRIDAY, 3 NOV 2017

Technology and automation are driving rapid changes to the super industry. The emergence of low-cost SMSF administrators has considerably reduced the costs and complexity of setting up and operating ... Read more

Getting your SMSF valuations right

MARJON MUIZER | Comments | FRIDAY, 18 AUG 2017

Valuing the investments of your SMSF is a key component in preparing the fund's financial statements. For the 2016/17 financial year getting the value right is more important than ever especially ... Valuing ... Read more

Currency risk management: A guide for super fund trustees

TOM CELLA | Comments | FRIDAY, 30 JUN 2017

Introduction to currency risk management To achieve sufficient asset diversification Australian superannuation funds are compelled to diversify into offshore assets. The typical superannuation fund default ... Introduction ... Read more

First class admin

SUZANNE HOLDEN | Comments | FRIDAY, 13 JAN 2017

A former manager in the aviation industry, Link Group's Suzanne Holden says there are more similarities in financial services than one might expect. She tells Darren Snyder how a past career helped ... A ... Read more

Superannuation industry issues in 2017 and beyond

GUY MCKANNA , PAUL O'BRIEN | Comments | FRIDAY, 13 JAN 2017

There is a range of trends, themes and issues ahead that the industry believes it will need to address this year. Rising risk profiles Respondents are most concerned about volatile markets and performance ... There ... Read more

Everything you need to know about self-managed superannuation funds

JONATHAN HOYLE | Comments | FRIDAY, 13 JAN 2017

SMSFs have a few distinguishing features that differentiate them from other superannuation funds in the market place. These features include: Membership - SMSFs are restricted to just four members. In ... SMSFs ... Read more

Why successor directors are better than alternate directors for SMSF succession planning

BRYCE FIGOT | Comments | FRIDAY, 13 JAN 2017

This article will address the problems that can arise in using alternate directors in an SMSF succession planning context and suggest a possible solution. As with all succession planning discussions ... This ... Read more

Taking control of your SMSF

JAMIE WILLIAMSON | Comments | FRIDAY, 13 JAN 2017

Advisers and SMSF trustees are gearing up for the changes facing the industry. Jamie Williamson discusses the key issues ahead of the SMSF Association National Conference. Advisers and SMSF trustees ... Read more

$1.6M balance cap: more tax on death benefits

DANIEL BUTLER | Comments | FRIDAY, 15 APR 2016

The proposed $1.6 million superannuation balance cap will, if introduced, result in substantial changes from 1 July 2017 and is likely to generate significantly more tax on the payment of death benefits. The ... Read more

Helping asset managers navigate the data sea

PETER CHERECWICH | Comments | FRIDAY, 15 APR 2016

A new global study, conducted by The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) and sponsored by Northern Trust, sheds light on how asset managers are dealing with the increasing volume of data they face. In ... Read more

Navigating the insourcing trend

KERRIE WILLIAMS , SARAH CORNELIUS | Comments | FRIDAY, 15 APR 2016

Insourcing has the potential to reduce costs, increase control by the fund and, through this, seeks to provide a better overall outcome for fund members or beneficiaries. It sounds like the obvious next ... Insourcing ... Read more

Mastering digital engagement

ALEX BURKE | Comments | THURSDAY, 29 OCT 2015

Keeping members engaged has become a critical issue for superannuation funds, particularly in light of increasing competition in the sector, and mastering digital channels appears to be the proverbial ... Keeping ... Read more

Top social and technology changes and their impact on the SMSF sector

DARREN STEVENS | Comments | THURSDAY, 29 OCT 2015

A number of years ago Bill Gates presciently observed that: "Banking is essential, banks are not". In the interim, we have seen the emergence and rising popularity of peer-to-peer lending ... Read more

A Federal Court case on civil penalties

BRYCE FIGOT , WILLIAM FETTES | Comments | THURSDAY, 29 OCT 2015

A new Federal Court case underscores the continuing relevance of pecuniary penalties under the civil penalties regime to the Australian Tax Office's (ATO) enforcement toolkit. Facts of the case The ... A ... Read more

Insurance, SMSFs and Limited Recourse Borrowing Arrangements

JEFFREY SCOTT | Comments | WEDNESDAY, 27 MAY 2015

There is a tremendous shift in the focus of individuals to take control of their own retirement funding. Currently in Australia there are more than 528,000 Self-Managed Superannuation Funds (SMSFs) ... Read more

The road to reward

RAEWYN WILLIAMS | Comments | WEDNESDAY, 27 MAY 2015

Investing with an after-tax focus is an idea whose time has come. But every idea is only as good as its implementation, and superannuation funds are now facing the important question of who can help. Investing ... Read more

The end of the road

JONATHAN STEFFANONI | Comments | WEDNESDAY, 27 MAY 2015

Is the market for superannuation administration services in Australia at the end of the road? The marketplace for what we call superannuation administration services is no longer competitive. Yet, competitive ... Is ... Read more

What will our industry be like in 2025?

DAVID BRAGA | Comments | WEDNESDAY, 27 MAY 2015

One thing is certain; the market that we are all operating in today will not be the same in 10 years' time, in 2025. Markets, our industry and the world will keep changing. The next decade will no ... One ... Read more

Top 10 trends in the Australian superannuation industry

DARREN STEVENS | Comments | SUNDAY, 4 AUG 2013

While the Australian superannuation industry has been preoccupied in recent years with responding to a raft of regulatory change, the world has not stood still. A number of forces have come into play ... While ... Read more

Nobel laureates and superannuation

JONATHAN STEFFANONI | Comments | TUESDAY, 7 MAY 2013

In this provocative piece, QMV Super Solutions' legal consultant Jonathan Steffanoni asks some questions around the regulation of SMSFs that are sure to raise some hackles. In this provocative ... Read more

Birth of an outstanding leader in financial services

LYNDA PETROVSKI | Comments | TUESDAY, 7 MAY 2013

Global Partnerships Executive Solutions managing director Lynda Petrovski shares some tips on being an outstanding leader in the financial services industry. Global Partnerships Executive Solutions ... Read more

Change is the only constant with LRBAs

PETER TOWNSEND , MICHAEL HALLINAN | Comments | MONDAY, 19 NOV 2012

Peter Townsend and Michael Hallinan of Townsend Business & Corporate Lawyers run through some of the issues to bear in mind when participating in limited recourse borrowing arrangements. Peter ... Read more

SMSFs are well-run and cost-competitive

GEMMA DALE | Comments | MONDAY, 19 NOV 2012

NabTrade's head of SMSF Solutions Gemma Dale shares her key take-outs from a recent study of SMSF fees and performance. NabTrade's head of SMSF Solutions Gemma Dale shares her key take-outs ... Read more

Scaling up

BRAYDON HEAPE | Comments | THURSDAY, 20 SEP 2012

Lawyer Braydon Heape explores how the Stronger Super reforms will force superannuation funds to seek economies of scale. Lawyer Braydon Heape explores how the Stronger Super reforms will force superannuation ... Read more

Equity and superannuation - the real issues

ROSS CLARE | Comments | THURSDAY, 20 SEP 2012

In this white paper, Ross Clare tackles superannuation equity, arguing that too many Australians have too little in retirement savings. In this white paper, Ross Clare tackles superannuation equity ... Read more

Using trauma proceeds to topup income protection

STEPHEN MILLER | Comments | TUESDAY, 11 DEC 2012

While holding trauma insurance in an SMSF has been a contentious issue for many years, APRA and the ATO have stated it can be done subject to certain caveats. While holding trauma insurance in an ... Read more

But I just wanted to transfer some investments to my super fund ...

GRAEME COLLEY | Comments | TUESDAY, 11 DEC 2012

Graeme Colley, director of education and professional standards at SPAA, explains the finer points of what can and can't be acquired by a self managed super fund Graeme Colley, director ... Read more

A demographic approach to superannuation policy

REECE AGLAND | Comments | TUESDAY, 11 DEC 2012

An effective retirement incomes policy must be one that is based on analysis of demographic data, an understanding of what motivates human behaviour and political will based on effective, long term policy ... An ... Read more

Outcome oriented funds: the next generation of super

JOHN WILSON , SARA HIGGINS | Comments | TUESDAY, 11 DEC 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

Superannuation account consolidation

ANDREW BRAGG | Comments | TUESDAY, 11 DEC 2012

A survey by The Financial Services Council and DST Global Solutions on superannuation account consolidation A survey by The Financial Services Council and DST Global Solutions on superannuation ... Read more

Superannuation account consolidation

Comments | WEDNESDAY, 11 JUL 2012

Outcome oriented funds: the next generation of super

SARA HIGGINS , JOHN WILSON | Comments | WEDNESDAY, 11 JUL 2012

Past vs future in super statements: Focus on retirement, not last year

CAMERON O'SULLIVAN | Comments | WEDNESDAY, 11 JUL 2012

In the Australian superannuation industry, member contributions and benefit statements typically focus on the rear view mirror, emphasising past performance rather than looking at the road to retirement. In ... Read more

Second generation lifecyle funds and MySuper: 10 things to consider

CHRIS CORNEIL | Comments | WEDNESDAY, 11 JUL 2012

This note examines how lifecyle investing has evolved over time and specifically explores its potential to enhance superannuation member outcomes in Australia. This note examines how lifecyle investing ... Read more

Membership driven growth for industry superannuation funds

TONY PAYLING | Comments | TUESDAY, 13 MAR 2012

In this whitepaper, Payling and Kim explore the impact changes that are occurring in the industry superannuation sector. In considering the impact of these changes, growth opportunities for fund executives ... In ... Read more

Using anti-detriment in a SMSF

AARON DUNN | Comments | TUESDAY, 13 MAR 2012

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) Draft Tax Ruling TR2011/D3 has created some debate within the industry regarding when a pension ceases upon the death of a member. The impact of this draft ruling ... The ... Read more

Longevity reinsurance for retirement income

BRUCE GREGOR | Comments | THURSDAY, 1 JAN 2009

This paper presents my views on how Australia can start to move into more effective policy settings for converting superannuation into lifetome retirement income. This paper presents my views on ... Read more

Superannuation Fund Internet Capability Survey 2010

WAYNE HIRT | Comments | MONDAY, 4 FEB 2013

Increasing competition between funds to both increase and retain membership numbers has driven funds to seek ways to differentiate their online services. With this in mind, our 2008 survey sought to ... Read more

Intergenerational Transfer and Protection of Superannuation

KATE MCQUEENEY , ANGELA CORNFORD-SCOTT | Comments | MONDAY, 4 FEB 2013

Superannuation has become one of the most important assets to be taken into consideration as part of a client's estate planning arrangements. This article examines the ways in which superannuation can ... Superannuation ... Read more

The Case for a Universal Default Superannuation Fund

DAVID INGLES , JOSH FEAR | Comments | MONDAY, 4 FEB 2013

The existing superannuation system is built on a contradictory notion of the way people make financial decisions. On the one hand, the concept of compulsory superannuation suggests that Australians are ... The ... Read more

International Trends in the Provision of Retirement Income Solutions Part I - International Market Background

WADE MATTERSON | Comments | MONDAY, 4 FEB 2013

On 13 May 2008, the Australian Government announced a comprehensive review of Australia's taxation system, to be chaired by Dr Ken Henry, commonly referred to as the Henry Review. The final report ... On ... Read more

The Ideal Fund - Reengineering the Fund Value Proposition

CLAIRE KEATING | Comments | MONDAY, 4 FEB 2013

The Ideal Fund - Reengineering the fund value proposition, June 2009 is research from PricewaterhouseCoopers Luxembourg and Caceis Investor Services. It is based on the Undertakings for Collective Investments ... The ... Read more

Supplementary Submission on Retirement Incomes to Australia's Future Tax System Review

Comments | MONDAY, 4 FEB 2013

The Henry review presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reform Australia's tax and transfer system to meet the challenges of the future. With an aging population it is essential Australia ... The ... Read more

A Better Future for Super

CHRIS CORNEIL | Comments | MONDAY, 4 FEB 2013

You can almost hear the collective sigh of relief as 2009 draws to a close. After surviving the near collapse of the global banking system in 2008, this year has seen unprecedented scrutiny of all aspects ... You ... Read more

Major super announcements from the Treasurer

DAVID SHIRLOW | Comments | MONDAY, 1 JAN 2007

Simplifying super the Labor way

WAYNE SWAN | Comments | MONDAY, 1 JAN 2007

Independent office of the trustee: a model for managing conflicts in financial institutions?

ZEIN EL HASSAN | Comments | MONDAY, 1 JAN 2007

The intersection of advice and clearing exchanges

MICHAEL FIELDING | Comments | MONDAY, 1 JAN 2007

All aboard - the unit pricing journey

ANTHONY BATHURST | Comments | MONDAY, 1 JAN 2007

Self managed superannuation funds and the acquisition of assets

KATE ANDERSON | Comments | MONDAY, 1 JAN 2007

The major attraction of an SMSF is that individual members become, as trustees, their own fund manager. But there are several issues trustees need to consider when devising an investment strategy for ... The ... Read more

An accountant's view of the SMSF market

GILES CRAIG | Comments | MONDAY, 1 JAN 2007

Over the past three years AMP Capital and Investment Trends have undertaken extensive research into the characteristics, motivation and behaviours of SMSF investors and their advisers. March 2007 saw ... Over ... Read more

Toxic servicing: Eroding profitability in the financial services sector

MARTIN NORTH | Comments | MONDAY, 1 JAN 2007

While some financial services companies are focusing on attracting and retaining as many customers as possible, the benefits of this approach are questionable. Research commissioned by Fujitsu shows ... Read more

Making the most of anti money laundering systems

LAURIE NEWMAN | Comments | MONDAY, 1 JAN 2007

To catch a mouse, use cheese. But how do you catch a rat? Unfortunately for governments and financial businesses, the best money launderers are like rats - and these rats are reaching new heights of ... Read more

The art of governance and actively managing the IT relationship

STEVE PARKER | Comments | MONDAY, 1 JAN 2007

When US-based IT consultancy The Standish Group first published The Chaos Report in 1994, it rocked the enterprise IT community to its foundation when it revealed that a staggering 31 per cent of IT ... Read more

Performance measurement and transaction cost analysis in transition management

JIM KARELAS , DUNCAN KLEIN | Comments | MONDAY, 1 JAN 2007

Performance measurement and transaction cost analysis can often be confused when assessing the qualities of a transition. Performance measurement is used to measure fund returns over a period, usually ... Performance ... Read more

Retaining Gen Ys - understanding is the key

KRYSTAL HIDE | Comments | TUESDAY, 1 JAN 2008

We are all affected by the "War on Talent" in how we run our organisations, whether we are super fund, a platform, an advisory group, an investment manager, an administrator or some other type ... We ... Read more

Anti-money laundering and counter terrorism financing programmes

KERRY GRASS | Comments | THURSDAY, 1 JAN 2009

September 11, 2001, was the disaster that lead US President Bush to introduce their AML legislation, causing Australia to introduce its own legislation on 12 December 2006. As the Act is principles based ... September ... Read more

Statutory declarations: it's the law

NATHAN HODGE | Comments | THURSDAY, 1 JAN 2009

With the recent press surrounding the use statutory declarations and the consequences of making false declarations, it is worthwhile reviewing how they are used in superannuation. It appears that, while ... With ... Read more

Bringing investment management in house - four "must follow" technology tenets

CAMERON FIELD | Comments | THURSDAY, 1 JAN 2009

Australia's superannuation funds are among the fastest growing in the world, having quadrupled to A$1.1 trillion of assets under management following more than a decade of compulsory contributions. Australia's ... Read more


Higher super contributions make Aussies feel safer HARRISON WORLEY New research suggests contributions above the current rate of superannuation guarantee lead to Australians feeling more secure about their retirement.

SG amnesty bill finally passes HARRISON WORLEY The government's superannuation guarantee amnesty bill was waved through the Senate yesterday, almost two full years after it was first introduced to the parliament.

	Yes

	No

	Unsure