Business owners should consider using an SMSF to house the investments and assets of the business for retirement preparation and risk mitigation, according to a succession planning expert.

The Australian Securities Exchange has assigned an official debt securities rating service to a credit ratings house in a move that will help SMSF investors gain a better insight into the fixed income asset class.

The recent Australian Securities and Investments Commission announcement signalling its intention to make it easier for SMSF trustees to invest in wholesale financial products will lessen some of the safeguards applicable when these individuals were categorised strictly as retail investors, a specialist law firm has said.