Everybody needs to invest in superannuation. Our system of compulsory super is in many respects the envy of the world and forms the cornerstone of our national strategy to fund our ageing population beyond retirement age.
One of the frustrations for many people though is that the performance of some retail and industry super funds ds not meet their expectations. That has caused many to look to alternatives and particularly to opening their own Self Managed Super Fund (SMSF).
A SMSF, or a private superannuation fund, is a legal structure regulated by the ATO, and a way for you to take full control of your retirement and future finances. It differs from other super funds in that the members of a SMSF are also the trustees, so they're responsible for complying with superannuation laws.
KEY FEATURES OF A SMSF
There must be no more than 6 members
All the members must be trustees or, if the fund has a corporate trustee, all the members must be a director of the corporate trustee
The money in the fund can only be used to provide for your retirement
In recent years, the growth in SMSFs has been explosive.As at June 2021, tne nearly 600,000 SMSFs in Australia had a combined 1.1 million members, controlling $822 billion in asset. This accounts for about 25% of all assets in the super system.
Choosing to start a SMSF is a great way to gain flexibility and control over your retirement. But it's also a big responsibility, and takes a lot of time and effort to make sure it's set up and managed correctly.
SMSF BASICS
Make sure you have all the basics covered before you start because, when setting up a Self Managed Super Fund, there are many things to consider.
You have to decide whether an individual or corporate trustee structure is right for your SMSF. Your SMSF can have up to six members and all members must be trustees, or directors, if you've appointed a corporate trustee.
You need to think about the costs associated with starting and running a SMSF, which generally are fixed. There's no minimum balance required to set up an SMSF, but it usually becomes cost-effective once you have a balance of $250,000 or more.
You will need to pay the annual supervisory levy to the ATO and arrange for an accountant to prepare the financial statements and tax return, and conduct an independent audit. You may also choose to pay for financial advice and insurance for members.
THREE THINGS YOU NEED TO SET UP A SMSF
First you'll need enough money in the SMSF to make the set up and annual running costs worthwhile. The exact amount of money needed within an SMSF to make it viable is a topic of some contention and will depend on factors including how involved you wish to be in making decisions and also what your future contribution strategy looks like (if you plan to rapidly inject contributions, a lower balance in the early days of the fund can be viable).
Next you'll need to budget for ongoing costs including accounting, tax, audit and legal fees, as well as the costs of financial advice if you choose to take professional advice on your investment strategy. These costs will eat into your investment returns so you need to ensure your fund is generating sufficient income both to cover the costs and to build up your fund long-term.
Finally, you'll need the financial skills – or access to others with the financial skills - to be confident that you're making the right investment decisions. You'll need to create an investment strategy that will generate sufficient returns to provide for you in your retirement.
BENEFITS AND RISKS OF SETTING UP A SMSF
There are many benefits to starting a SMSF. You have full control over your finances and future, and can make choices that benefit your specific circ*mstances to maximise your earnings. You're able to make your own choices about your investments, and can invest in anything provided it's allowed by the investment strategy prepared by the trustees, and meets the sole purpose test (which means assets must be held ONLY to provide for members in their retirement). You can also derive significant tax benefits.
There are also some risks involved such as penalties for non-compliance, lack of statutory compensation and lack of access to conflict resolution channels if disputes arise.
Deciding if the benefits outweigh the risks is up to you – but be careful as you assess the information and don't be put off by some of the myths surrounding SMSFs.
Some key myths that persist around SMSFs are:
You need to be wealthy to have a SMSF. While you need to have a substantial opening balance (around $200k) there's no minimum balance needed to open or run a SMSF.
SMSFs are too risky. You're in charge so the level of risk depends on how you choose to manage your SMSF. But getting the right professional help and support will ensure you comply with all the rules and minimise the risk factors.
SMSFs are a simple way to buy property. There are numerous conditions associated with the purchase of property through a SMSF, so we recommend you research this option thoroughly (check out our Guide to Buying Property through a SMSF) and get professional advice before making any decisions.
BUYING PROPERTY THROUGH YOUR SMSF
The most important thing to know is that buying a property through a SMSF dsn't follow the same procedure as buying a property personally. There are additional restrictions associated with getting a bank loan (including considerations for using a limited resource borrowing arrangement), and tax implications that need to be considered. You should also look at the implications of purchasing a commercial property or an overseas property through your SMSF.
YOU SHOULD ALSO KNOW...
Your SMSF only needs to be registered for GST if it owns a commercial property that receives rent of over $75,000 per year
It's important that you upgrade your SMSF Trust Deed and review it regularly to make sure you're complying with laws and getting full benefits
It's possible to invest in cryptocurrencies through SMSF, but there are conditions
LET US HELP WITH YOUR SMSF
Navigating the path to setting up and managing your own SMSF can be challenging, and it really helps to have knowledgeable advisors by your side to avoid making mistakes and running into trouble with the Australian Tax Office.
SMSF Solutions is a specialist division of the H&R Block Group providing administration, compliance, accounting and taxation services for Self-Managed Superannuation Funds (SMSF).
We're experts at what we do, and strongly believe in educating our clients to help them make the very best decisions. Our goal is to help you prepare for your future and to make the most of your money. We're on your side, and we will always advise you with your best interests in mind.
