What Happens When an SMSF Member Dies? Death is not something most trustees like to think about when establishing or managing an SMSF. In practice, however, it is one of the most important areas trustees should prepare for properly. When an SMSF member dies, the fund does not simply “pass automatically” to family members. The […]
SMSF News & Compliance Insights
Why SMSF Asset Valuation Requirements Matter More Than Trustees Expect Asset valuations are often treated as a routine compliance task, but SMSF asset valuation requirements are one of the most underestimated risk areas in a fund. They sit quietly in the background yet influence almost every aspect of how a fund operates. Valuations determine member […]
Why SMSF Pension Mistakes Matter Pension phase is where an SMSF begins to deliver its real value. It is also where mistakes tend to have the greatest impact. Unlike accumulation phase, issues at this stage can affect the fund’s tax position, the validity of the pension and the accuracy of member balances. What makes this […]
What Is an SMSF Pension? An SMSF pension, more formally known as an account-based pension, allows members to draw a regular income from their super once they meet a condition of release. Unlike accumulation phase, where contributions and investment earnings build your balance, pension phase focuses on accessing those funds to support retirement. At its […]
How AI Could Change the SMSF Industry Artificial intelligence has quickly moved from a theoretical concept to a practical tool used across many industries. Accounting, financial services and investment management are already beginning to explore how AI can improve efficiency, data analysis and decision making. For the Self-Managed Super Fund sector, the conversation around artificial […]
SMSF Investment Strategies Every Self-Managed Super Fund must have an investment strategy. While many trustees understand this requirement in principle, fewer appreciate how important the investment strategy is from a compliance perspective. An SMSF investment strategy is not simply a document created when the fund is established and then filed away. It is intended to […]
SMSF conditions of release are the legal triggers that allow a member to access their superannuation benefits. Before an SMSF can pay a lump sum or start a pension, trustees must confirm that a valid condition of release has been satisfied and properly documented. The Most Common SMSF Conditions of Release Most SMSF members access […]
One of the most persistent misconceptions in the SMSF space is that compliance revolves around asset types. Trustees often ask whether their fund can invest in property, cryptocurrency, private companies or precious metals. The assumption is that some assets are “allowed” and others are not. In reality, SMSFs can invest in a wide range of […]
What is Division 296 tax? Division 296 legislation has passed both houses as of 11 March 2026 without further amendments and will take effect from 1 July 2026. Division 296 tax is an additional tax on individuals whose total superannuation balance exceeds $3 million at year end. It targets earnings attributable to the portion of […]
Accurate record-keeping is one of the most fundamental responsibilities of an SMSF trustee. While investment strategy and asset selection tend to receive significant attention, it is the quality of a fund’s records that most often determines how smoothly it operates from a compliance and administrative perspective. SMSF trustees are legally required to maintain records that […]