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Self-managed super funds (SMSF)

June 1, 2021 by Patrick Casey

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A self-managed super fund (SMSF) is a private super fund that you manage yourself. SMSFs are different to industry and retail super funds.

When you manage your own super, you put the money you would normally put in a retail or industry super fund into your own SMSF. You choose the investments and the insurance.

Self-managed_super_funds_SMSF

Your SMSF can have up to four members, who are friends or family. Most SMSFs have two or more. As a member, you are a trustee of the fund — or you can get a corporate trustee. In either case, you are responsible for the fund.

While having control over your own super can be appealing, it’s a lot of work and comes with risk. 

Only set up your own super fund if you’re 100% committed and understand what’s involved.

The risks and responsibilities of SMSFs

All members of an SMSF are responsible for the fund’s decisions and for complying with the law.

These responsibilities come with risks:

  • You are personally liable for all the fund’s decisions — even if you get help from a professional, or if another member made the decision.
  • Your investments may not bring the returns you expect.
  • You are responsible for managing the fund even if your circumstances change — for example, if you lose your job.
  • There may be a negative impact on your SMSF if there is a relationship breakdown between members, or if a member dies or becomes ill.
  • If you lose money through theft or fraud, you won’t have access to any special compensation schemes or to the Superannuation Complaints Tribunal.
  • You could lose insurance if you’re moving from an industry or retail super fund to an SMSF. See consolidating super funds.

SMSFs take time and money

Managing an SMSF is a lot of work. Even if you get professional help, it’s time-consuming.

You need enough time to set up the fund, and time to manage ongoing activities, such as:

  • researching investments
  • setting and following an investment strategy
  • accounting, keeping records, and arranging an audit each year by an approved SMSF auditor

SMSF trustees spend on average eight hours a month to manage an SMSF. That’s more than 100 hours a year. (Source: SMSF Investor Report, April 2019, Investment Trends)

The set-up and running costs can be high. Ongoing costs include:

  • investing
  • accounting
  • auditing
  • tax advice
  • legal advice
  • financial advice

In 2018, the average operating cost of running an SMSF was $6,152. The median cost was $3,923. (Source: Self-managed super funds: a statistical overview 2017–18, Australian Taxation Office, Table 25: Expenses. This includes deductible and non-deductible expenses reported at the following SMSF annual return labels: approved auditor fee, management and administration expenses, other amounts and SMSF supervisory levy. It does not include costs such investment expenses and insurance premiums.)

You need financial and legal knowledge

You need the financial and legal knowledge and skills to:

  • understand different investment markets, and build and manage a diversified portfolio
  • set and manage an investment strategy that meets your risk-tolerance and retirement needs
  • comply with tax, super and investment regulations and laws
  • organise insurance for fund members

On average, SMSFs haven’t beaten APRA-regulated funds

Historically SMSFs have not performed as well as retail or industry super funds, also known as ‘APRA-regulated funds’ (APRA is the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority).

APRA-regulated funds use highly skilled professionals to manage their investments. You need to be confident that the investments you choose will perform better.

The table below compares the average returns for SMSFs with APRA-regulated super funds over a five-year period. On average, APRA-regulated super funds achieved higher returns than SMSFs.

Source: Self-managed super funds: a statistical overview 2017–18, Australian Taxation Office

The returns you can expect from your SMSF are determined by your balance. If your balance is more than $500,000 it’s possible you may get returns that are competitive with APRA-regulated funds.

If you want to set up an SMSF

If you are 100% sure about managing your own super fund, start researching investment options, and consider getting professional advice.

Research your investment options

Part of the appeal of an SMSF is controlling and having access to a broader range of investments.

However, there are some very strict rules about what you can invest your super in. Check restrictions on investments on the ATO website.

Set up your SMSF

The self-managed super funds section of the ATO website is a great resource. It explains what you need to do to set up your fund and to comply with regulations. All SMSFs are regulated by the ATO.

Because everyone’s situation is different, it’s always best to speak to us on 1300 79 80 38 before you make a decision or any investments.

Visit our Financial Knowledge Centre where you will access educational videos and articles, plus join our monthly e-Newsletter to help improve your financial knowledge.

If this article interested you and you would like to speak to Pat Casey on the phone, select a time to speak Pat – Financial Planner Sydney.

At Assure Wealth we specialise in helping busy, successful families structure their finances to achieve greater wealth and financial peace of mind.

Author: Pat Casey – Managing Director & Financial Planner Sydney – Assure Wealth

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Disclaimer: The information provided on this website has been provided as general advice only. We have not considered your financial circumstances, needs or objectives and you should seek the assistance of your Walker Lane Pty Ltd Adviser before you make any decision regarding any products mentioned in this communication. Whilst all care has been taken in the preparation of this material, no warranty is given in respect of the information provided and accordingly neither Walker Lane nor its related entities, employees or agents shall be liable on any ground whatsoever with respect to decisions or actions taken as a result of you acting upon such information.

Assure Wealth Pty Ltd ABN 31 965 466 780 Corporate Authorised Representative no. 1244817, Patrick Casey Sub-Authorised Representative no. 1244748 of Walker Lane Pty Ltd ABN 70 626 199 826, an AFSL holder No 509305.

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Assure Wealth Pty Ltd ABN 31 965 466 780 Corporate Authorised Representative no. 1244817, Patrick Casey Sub-Authorised Representative no. 1244748 of Walker Lane Pty Ltd ABN 70 626 199 826, an AFSL holder No 509305.

The information provided on this website has been provided as general advice only. We have not considered your financial circumstances, needs or objectives and you should seek the assistance of your Walker Lane Pty Ltd Adviser before you make any decision regarding any products mentioned in this communication. Whilst all care has been taken in the preparation of this material, no warranty is given in respect of the information provided and accordingly neither Walker Lane Pty Ltd nor its related entities, employees or agents shall be liable on any ground whatsoever with respect to decisions or actions taken as a result of you acting upon such information.