Self Managed Super Funds
SMSF advice built around suitability, responsibility and control.
Suitability before structure
The first question is not whether an SMSF can hold a particular asset. It is whether the structure is appropriate for you.
A self-managed super fund is a private superannuation fund with up to six members. The members are usually also the trustees — or directors of a corporate trustee — and are responsible for running the fund and complying with superannuation and tax law.
Trustees remain responsible even when they engage advisers, accountants, administrators, auditors or lawyers. Establishing an SMSF means accepting an active governance role, not simply choosing a different investment account. That control comes with significant legal, administrative and investment responsibilities, which is why we assess an SMSF within the context of your broader superannuation, investment, tax and estate planning strategy.
When an SMSF may be worth considering
None of these features make an SMSF automatically better than an industry or retail fund. The value of additional control should be weighed against administration, audit, advice, investment and legal costs — and the time and expertise required of trustees.
- Building an investment strategy around the members' retirement objectives and risk tolerance
- Holding direct investments such as listed securities, managed investments, cash or eligible property
- Coordinating retirement-income and contribution strategies across members
- Integrating superannuation with business succession and estate planning arrangements
- Using a corporate trustee and documented governance process to create greater continuity
Trustee responsibilities
Trustees must ensure the fund is maintained for the sole purpose of providing retirement benefits, and that its investments comply with the law.
- Preparing, implementing and regularly reviewing a documented investment strategy
- Considering diversification, liquidity, liabilities and the insurance needs of members
- Keeping fund assets separate from personal and business assets
- Maintaining records, minutes, valuations and financial statements
- Arranging an independent annual audit and lodging the SMSF annual return
- Managing contributions, pensions and benefit payments correctly
- Reviewing succession, incapacity and death-benefit arrangements
Questions to consider first
A sound decision begins with the reason for establishing the fund.
There is no single balance at which an SMSF becomes suitable. Balance is relevant to cost-effectiveness, but complexity, member circumstances, investment purpose and governance capacity all matter too.
- What can the SMSF achieve that an existing super fund cannot?
- Do the expected benefits justify the ongoing fixed and variable costs?
- Do all prospective members understand and accept their trustee duties?
- Will the investment strategy remain sufficiently diversified and liquid?
- How will the fund operate if a member dies, loses capacity, moves overseas or wants to leave?
How we help
- Comparing an SMSF with other superannuation options
- Developing and reviewing the fund's investment strategy
- Planning contributions, retirement income and member cash flow
- Reviewing diversification, liquidity, insurance and borrowing risks
- Coordinating with specialist accountants, auditors and lawyers
- Integrating the fund with your broader investment strategy and estate planning
A transparent process, with fees disclosed upfront
We are paid only by our clients. We receive no third-party payments and do not charge insurance commissions, removing financial conflicts so we can work in your best interest.
Understand your position
An initial discovery meeting, at no cost or obligation, to understand your circumstances, priorities and the decisions in front of you.
Clarify the decisions
We identify what matters most, separate immediate needs from longer-term goals and explain the trade-offs in plain language.
Agree the terms of engagement
Where there is mutual fit, we prepare terms of engagement setting out our approach, how we would work together and the fees involved — disclosed fully, on a 12-month upfront basis, before you commit to anything.
Implement and review
We help put the agreed strategy into practice and review it as markets, legislation and your circumstances change.