SMSF audits: Fees and guidelines
An annual audit is one of the necessary tasks associated with running an SMSF, but it can save trustees from inadvertent and costly breaches of the rules.
Articles by Barbara Drury
How much super do I need to retire?
Don’t be rattled by pundits saying you need $1 million to retire. The amount you need will depend on your personal circumstances, not a figure drawn out of a hat.
What is the DVA (Department of Veterans’ Affairs) Service Pension?
The Service Pension provided similar benefits to the Age Pension for veterans, their partners and widow(er)s, but the eligibility requirements are different, as you would expect.
The taper trap: Super and the Age Pension means test
The way super intersects with the Age Pension has a big impact on retirees with ‘middling’ super balances, but it’s important not to fixate on short-term pension entitlements at the expense of long-term financial security.
What are the penalties for SMSF non-compliance?
The ATO has increased scrutiny of SMSFs and common areas of non-compliance with superannuation law, and the penalties for getting it wrong can be substantial.
Asset valuation guidelines for SMSFs
There’s no getting around regular asset valuations for your SMSF, and it needs to be done by the book.
Franked dividends and franking credits for SMSFs
While interest rates have lifted off their historic lows, franked dividends from shares are still a happy hunting ground for income-seeking investors.
SMSFs and financial advice: A matter of cost and trust
The number of SMSF trustees who have unmet advice needs is growing, but upcoming reforms and new technology offer the prospect of improved affordability and access.
What is the cost of living in retirement in Australia?
If retirement beckons, it’s time to work out how much income you think you will need to fund your desired retirement lifestyle. Here’s what you need to consider.
Have you got an exit plan? The importance of estate planning
Older Australians are wealthier than ever before, so careful estate planning is crucial if you want your super and other assets to be distributed in line with your wishes.
How to get ready for retirement if you own a business
It can be easy to put off retirement planning when you are caught up in the demands of running your own business, but it pays to plan ahead if you want to make the most of all your hard work.
Retiring soon? Here are 5 questions you need to answer first
There’s a lot to think about in the run-up to retirement, from where your income will come from to where you’ll live, but answering these questions should help you prepare.
Passive versus active: Which investment style is best?
As the debate over passive vs active investing continues, both have their place in SMSF portfolios, depending on your financial goals and risk tolerance.
The role of cash and bonds in your portfolio and what’s available
Income-generating investments are always in demand, but investment selection is key in a volatile interest rate environment.
2023 year in review, 2024 year in preview
Last year investment markets surprised on the upside, with a late surge in shares and bonds and a resilient residential property market. So what’s in store for 2024?
ATO SMSF supervisory levy: Cost and guidelines
In a world of ever-increasing prices, the ATO’s annual SMSF supervisory levy has been remarkably stable for almost a decade.
Which are Australia’s largest super funds?
Industry consolidation is creating fewer, larger super funds as smaller or underperforming funds are urged to shape up or ship out.
Retiring overseas: Implications for your super and tax
If you dream of retiring to an exotic overseas location where the living is easy, be sure to look at the financial, health and other considerations before you make the leap.
