Lending roadblocks stall SMSF property buys
Property firm Meriton started marketing its apartments to self-managed superannuation funds two years ago – but sales have been poor as bank lending constraints and low SMSF account balances have dampened enthusiasm.
Actuaries warn of ageing population risks
The risk of many Australians retiring with less than $100,000 in superannuation is likely to grow unless the Federal Government makes drastic policy changes to address the risks of an ageing population, the Institute of Actuaries of Australia has warned.
Beware the retirement traps
DIY super funds have great flexibility when it comes to retirement but there are traps for the unwary.
Trustees need to ensure property title is right
One of the major obligations placed on trustees of super funds is making sure all assets are correctly registered.
Cooper presents artistic challenge but collectables can be kept
The federal government has ignored the Cooper review and will allow those managing their own super to continue to invest in artwork and collectables with a few extra rules. But experts say there are still plenty of other hurdles you need to jump before you can find the right art to hold in your super fund.
Pension that lets you have your cake and eat it too
A tax free pension while you’re still working and building your super fund is entirely legal once you turn 60.
Property investment not a game changer
Fund members have not rushed to borrow to fund properties. Many are hesitant to bank on future growth.
Funds gear up
Self-managed funds may be conservative in their investments, keeping 41 per cent of their investments in Australian shares, mostly in top stocks, but the use of gearing by these funds has doubled in two years.
Property investors look for returns
Demand for property by DIY super funds is building as investors realise the benefits of real estate, with those funds emphasising commercial property including strip retail, office space and to a lesser extent industrial properties.
Investing
Weighing up fixed interest
DIYSuper editor Sally Patten talks to four financial advisers about their views on fixed income products.
Getting the gearing right for SMSFs
Investment property may deliver a bigger profit if bought independently of a super fund, especially if it’s to be negatively geared.
Technical
Adviser education: spoilt for choice
Financial planners will have to be specifically trained in self-managed super to advise in that area from July 2012. There is already a separate category on ASIC’s training register for courses that focus on DIY super, with 22 providers offering training.
Tough new regime for financial planners
Financial planners are facing a tough new regulatory regime that could force them to seek qualifications to become registered tax agents and charge higher fees to cover increased costs.
Retirement
Planning for a longer life
DIYSuper editor Sally Patten asks a panel of experts for their views on how investors can protect themselves from outliving their savings.
Planning your estate
Michael Fitzpatrick of PricewaterhouseCoopers talks to Sally Patten about the dos and don’ts of estate planning – and the need to pay careful attention to your financial affairs.
Industry experts say they are not surprised that Perpetual took a $10.6 million impairment charge against its DIY administration arm, arguing the wealth manager overpaid for the business.
An attraction of do-it-yourself superannuation is either concessional tax rates on investment earnings or tax exempt earnings on investments, depending on whether the member is still working or is drawing a pension.
Financial Review TV
Part III | Financial planning round table
Sally Patten chairs a three-part round table discussion series with a high-powered panel of financial planning experts.
When one loan is not enough
Recently self- managed super funds have renewed their interest in borrowing to purchase assets.
My DIY: A two-pronged strategy
Splitting his superannuation between a DIY vehicle and an employer fund is working well for Richard Borysiewicz, sales director of Apostle Asset Management.
More than one way to hold cash
With so much uncertainty about the direction of markets and the impact of the global financial crisis, many DIY super funds are currently overweight in cash.
The best place for insurance
How can your SMSF help solve your under-insurance problems? The vast majority of Australians are chronically under insured when it comes to insuring their lives against unexpected disaster.
Making the most of food inflation
Inflation, and food inflation in particular, is fast becoming a hot topic for investors and consumers alike.
Getting the most from your pension
Here are five simple steps that can be taken to greatly improve the tax effectiveness and other benefits of starting pensions in a self-managed fund.
DIYSuper at SPAA
Exclusive, live and online – DIYSuper covers the annual SMSF conference. Breaking news, video, papers. Follow us on Twitter @financialreview #spaa.
Cooper review
Click here for full coverage of Jeremy Cooper’s review of Australia’s superannuation industry and its implications.
Is DIY super right for you?
Setting up your own super fund has many benefits. But you need to make sure that it works well for you.
Setting up a DIY super fund
Establishing an SMSF is not especially complicated but there are a few steps to complete and you need to get them right.
How much will it cost?
A self-managed superannuation fund may give you investment control, but “DIY” is something of a misnomer, unless you are an auditor, investment professional and/or regulatory expert.
Binding death nominations
Binding death benefit nominations, which aim to give greater certainty about who should inherit super, should be an essential feature of a well-structured DIY fund.
How to choose an adviser
There are so many horror stories, it can be hard to know where to start when you’re looking for a provider of financial services.
Top DIY super mistakes
SMSF trustees must comply with a plethora of regulations, or face still penalties and the zero-tolerance stance of the Australian Taxation Office.
Advantages of insurance cover
Since the removal of reasonable benefit limits, taking out life and disability insurance through a self-managed superannuation fund has become more attractive.
Planning to live overseas?
One important consideration for anyone with a do-it-yourself super fund who plans to live and work overseas for an extended period is a rule that requires all funds to be managed from Australia.
All expert views
When one loan is not enough
Recently self- managed super funds have renewed their interest in borrowing to purchase assets.
Products
Funds gear up
Self-managed funds may be conservative in their investments, keeping 41 per cent of their investments in Australian shares, mostly in top stocks, but the use of gearing by these funds has doubled in two years.
Lending roadblocks stall SMSF property buys
Property firm Meriton started marketing its apartments to self-managed superannuation funds two years ago – but sales have been poor as bank lending constraints and low SMSF account balances have dampened enthusiasm.
Insurance
The pre-retiree
At 59, Danny De Vere is approaching retirement and like many Australians he’s trying to work out exactly how and when to do it.
Make sure you’ve got it covered
Personal insurance can come in a variety of guises and a do-it-yourself superannuation fund can make it more cost-effective, flexible and efficient.
Pensions & annuities
Opening the door to DIY funds
Borrowing to invest in a residential real estate via a self-managed fund is now possible but the rules are so complex that often investors are dissuaded from the strategy.
Cooper presents artistic challenge but collectables can be kept
The federal government has ignored the Cooper review and will allow those managing their own super to continue to invest in artwork and collectables with a few extra rules. But experts say there are still plenty of other hurdles you need to jump before you can find the right art to hold in your super fund.
Tax
More changes tipped on tax concessions
The coming 12 months is set to be another eventful year for do-it-yourself super funds. On the one hand DIY funds are continuing to grow at a steady rate of between 500 and 600 new funds a week and times have improved on the investment front, albeit with bouts of volatility.
ATO may show lenience
The Australian Taxation Office has indicated it may show some lenience when dealing with DIY superannuation funds that own properties damaged in the recent floods or this week’s cyclone in far north Queensland.
Regulation
Cooper presents artistic challenge but collectables can be kept
The federal government has ignored the Cooper review and will allow those managing their own super to continue to invest in artwork and collectables with a few extra rules. But experts say there are still plenty of other hurdles you need to jump before you can find the right art to hold in your super fund.
More changes tipped on tax concessions
The coming 12 months is set to be another eventful year for do-it-yourself super funds. On the one hand DIY funds are continuing to grow at a steady rate of between 500 and 600 new funds a week and times have improved on the investment front, albeit with bouts of volatility.
Legal
Trustees need to ensure property title is right
One of the major obligations placed on trustees of super funds is making sure all assets are correctly registered.
Opening the door to DIY funds
Borrowing to invest in a residential real estate via a self-managed fund is now possible but the rules are so complex that often investors are dissuaded from the strategy.