In Australia there are now almost 600,000 Self-Managed Superannuation Funds (SMSF’s). This is the fastest growing sector of the superannuation industry in Australia.

Provision of SMSF and Superannuation advice

SMSF Advice is provided by the Maxviser Financial Services Pty Ltd [a Corporate Authorised Representative (Authorised Representative No 1265393) of Australia Pacific Funds Management Pty Ltd (Australian Financial Services Licence No 339151)].

Maxviser Financial Services Pty Ltd has a wealth of experience, and are therefore well placed to provide you with the best possible advice.

All advice provided by Maxviser Financial Services Pty Ltd is impartial, and the initial consultation is free and without obligation.

What is a SMSF?

A SMSF is a do it yourself superannuation fund with between one and four members.  (From 1st July, SMSF’s will be permitted to have six members). All members act as trustees of the fund.

Establishing a SMSF is a very important financial decision, however before you decide to do so, you need to understand the costs. This is where Maxviser Financial Services Pty Ltd can help you.

Below is a list of the services they can perform for you:

– Establishment of a SMSF

– Retirement planning and formulation of pre and post retirement   strategies

– Preparation of Financial Statements, Tax Returns and Audit

– Administration of SMSFs

– Formulation of and assistance in managing investment strategies

What are the advantages of an SMSF?

Investment choice

Tax advantages

Estate planning

Borrowing

Cost

Pension planning

Asset protection

Investment Choice

The key driver in SMSF’s has historically been controlling your investments and the ability to access a wider range of investment options. The real benefit, however is not simply in the choice, but rather the ability to have a more sophisticated investment strategy in line with your overall objectives. For example, a business owner can buy the premises in an SMSF and the business can lease the property.

A major benefit of SMSF’s is the control that trustees have over the tax position of the fund. Through proper planning, tax can be minimised and then eliminated altogether in retirement. Assets can also be segregated to provide the ability to structure the timing of asset sales to reduce capital gains tax.

There is even a strategy whereby current and future members can benefit from tax deductions for future years on the death of a member.

Estate Planning

The estate planning benefits of an SMSF are often one of the least publicised benefits as your will does not deal with your superannuation benefits. This includes being able to leave tax advantaged income streams to dependents, and control when and how they receive lump sum payments. When considered as part of the overall estate planning, a SMSF can assist in obtaining great tax benefits.

Borrowing

A few years ago, new rules were introduced which allowed superannuation funds to borrow money under a certain type of arrangement. This arrangement can only be accessed by SMSF’s, however they have next to no application in large commercial funds. This links to the “investment choice” benefit above. This makes it possible for a SMSF to acquire property, where there is some cash spare, when this would otherwise not be possible.

Cost

For most people (but not all – depending on your account balance) the cost of running a SMSF can be lower than that of a retail superannuation fund. As a general rule, when a fund balance reaches $200,000 this is the point at which the costs equalise. Commercial super funds tend to charge a flat percentage rate, whereas the base compliance costs tend to be fixed. So as the balance of a fund increases, the cost advantage also increases.

Another point to consider is that a husband and wife can join the same super fund, so even if they both had $100,000 each – combined they have $200,000 thus making a SMSF a viable option.

h3>Pension Planning

For members reaching the pension age, the SMSF allows the most seamless transition from accumulation into pension streams. It also enables significant planning to occur, involving among other things tax effective asset disposals.

Asset Protection

The asset protection provided in a SMSF is critical for a business owner, given that we operate in a highly litigious society and one where bankruptcies are also increasing. In either of these events, your superannuation is protected, even if you withdraw this to live on. This also applies to a commercial super fund as well.

Disclaimer:

(a) Medic Accountants is not responsible for advice provided by Maxviser Financial Services Pty Ltd (Authorised Representative No 1265393) of Australia Pacific Funds Management Pty Ltd (Australian Financial Services Licence No 339151)]; and

(b) Maxviser Financial Services Pty Ltd is not responsible for advice provided by Medic Accountants.