News

SMSF trustees’ confidence boosted

February 27, 2015

The outlook of SMSF trustees should be increasingly positive as a result of the government’s declaration of support for the key principles of superannuation and increased ATO and Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) sector surveillance, according to the SMSF Association.

read more

Compliance & Regulation

Sole purpose test a trustee obligation

February 27, 2015

Elizabeth Somerville

SMSF trustees must take full responsibility for their decisions as breaches to investment standards could lead to problems with the sole purpose test as well as possible non-compliance, an industry expert has warned.

read more

Business news

SMSFs deserve proper debate: Ripoll

February 27, 2015

Krystine Lumanta

The industry and major political parties needed to take a common-ground approach to dealing with the many challenges facing the superannuation sector, especially complex SMSF issues, the opposition financial services and superannuation spokesman Bernie Ripoll has said.

read more

ETFs

New UBS ETFs take ethical stance

February 27, 2015

Krystine Lumanta

UBS Global Asset Management has expanded its IQ suite of exchanged-traded funds (ETF) in Australia to include six new ethically-framed equity funds covering different parts of the world.

read more

Compliance & Regulation

LRBAs need clear policy setting: Frydenberg

Person balances on a tightrope above the ground.

February 27, 2015

Darin Tyson-Chan

The federal government will consult “with an open mind” on the future of limited recourse borrowing arrangements and talk to all stakeholders before making a decision, according to Assistant Treasurer Josh Frydenberg.

read more

ATO

Tax body publishes new SMSF trustee book

February 27, 2015

Darin Tyson-Chan

Taxpayers Australia has launched a book designed to boost SMSF trustee knowledge and assist them in running their own retirement savings vehicles.

read more

Direct Domestic Shares

Small local equity growth achievable in 2015

February 27, 2015

Darin Tyson-Chan

The Australian equities market is capable of generating small capital gains along with some yield income for investors in 2015, according to an investment specialist.

read more

Compliance & Regulation

Small related-party loan can be LRBA safety net

January 30, 2015

Darin Tyson-Chan

An SMSF strategy expert has recommended trustees with a limited recourse borrowing arrangement (LRBA) in place set up a small related-party loan as a safety measure to guard against the uncertainty surrounding the current superannuation gearing rules.

read more

Compliance & Regulation

Favourable developments to excess NCC refunds

January 30, 2015

Darin Tyson-Chan

Changes made late last year to the draft legislation tabled in parliament governing the refund of excess non-concessional contributions (NCC) have provided further clarity on how the rules will operate and a positive result for SMSF trustees already drawing a pension.

Perpetuity rules mustn’t be overlooked

January 30, 2015

Krystine Lumanta

SMSF trust deeds must be checked thoroughly for vesting dates as shorter perpetuity periods were not unheard of, according to an expert SMSF lawyer.

read more