Did you know that there are approximately 10 million unintended multiple super accounts, which represents around 35% of all member accounts held by funds? While in some cases this outcome may be intended, more often than not the creation of multiple accounts is unintended and mainly occurs when employees change jobs and do not nominate...

Commencing a pension from an SMSF can be easy process provided it is done the right way and you follow the rules that apply. Once a pension has commenced from a SMSF, ongoing administration, such as obtaining an actuarial certificate, may be required to determine how much of the pension’s investment income will be exempt...

SMSF trustees that are financially impacted due to COVID-19 because of extended lockdowns in certain States and Territories will be granted extended relief to cover the 2021-22 financial year. The relief was originally offered by the ATO to SMSFs for the 2019-20 and 2020-21 financial years where certain situations may have caused SMSF trustees to...

A new law will level up the playing field for divorcing couples to ensure both partners have fair and equitable access to superannuation, particularly during acrimonious family court proceedings. For many Australians, superannuation is their second biggest asset aside from the family home. In a divorce situation, it’s important that both partners, including those with...

SMSF trustees must get ready to process rollovers via SuperStream by 1 October 2021. This means trustees will no longer able to send and receive paper rollover benefit statements and cheques between superannuation funds. SuperStream requires employers to pay superannuation and send employee information electronically in a standard format. This links the data to the...

Superannuation fund trustees who receive compensation from financial institutions and insurance providers must consider how receipt of these payments may impact a member’s contribution caps. A superannuation fund may have a right to seek compensation if it entered into a legal contract or agreement with a financial services provider or insurance provider, paid the fees...

The Federal Government has put measures in place to help protect businesses from insolvencies stemming from the COVID-19 economic downturn. Yet not all businesses will come through to the other side and bankruptcy will be a reality for some. So, what happens to super benefits (ie, lump sums and pensions) when a superannuation fund member...

There has been an increase in the number of SMSFs entering into arrangements where real property is purchased and developed to subsequently be sold or rented out. Such investments can help the fund build up its wealth more quickly than other forms, and from a tax standpoint, any rent or eventual capital gain may enjoy...

Recent legislative reforms to the superannuation arena are set to change the retirement savings landscape for many Australians. The Federal Government says the Your Future, Your Super reforms will help ensure superannuation works in the best financial interests of all Australians by removing unnecessary waste, increasing accountability and transparency, and providing more flexibility for families...

There will most likely come a time when your SMSF will need to be wound up, with a change in members, the fund’s finances, perhaps separation or other family reasons among the many reasons why winding up the fund becomes necessary. For example, the reasons to wind up an SMSF could include: there are no...