Category: Blogs

Are small SMSF rollovers really a sign of consumer harm?

In recent months, small balance rollovers into SMSFs have been cast by some as a warning sign – an indicator of poor decision-making and, ultimately, consumer harm. It’s a serious […]

Mischaracterising Risk in the SMSF Sector

Recent commentary has cast SMSFs as a source of significant consumer harm within the superannuation system. While scrutiny is appropriate, the characterisation of the sector as “lawless” or inherently risky does […]

TBC and Contribution Cap Indexation

Key superannuation thresholds set to be indexed While it had previously been widely anticipated, the recent release of Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Average Weekly Earnings (AWOTE) data from the […]

Legacy pension amnesty period – Greater Social Security clarity provided

The commutation of a ‘legacy’ pension that was previously asset test exempt for Centrelink purposes will result in the failing of the Centrelink provisions, leading to a loss of asset […]

Division 296 Advocacy Update

On Tuesday I was in Canberra meeting members of the Senate cross bench. It was apparent from those discussions that some cross bench members had been approached by the Government […]

ATO statistics reveal a resilient SMSF sector

Despite the lingering possibility of the proposed new Division 296 tax being introduced, recently released ATO statistics point toward a resilient and mature SMSF sector – which continues to grow […]

Clarity for Financial Advisers who cease to be authorised as the end of education transition period nears

  With less than 11 months until the transition period to meet the education standards ends for financial advisers, there has been some confusion how the standards may apply if […]

Minimum Pension Underpayments: Compliance win for the sector, but the fight for pragmatic outcomes continues

The SMSF Association, as a key contributor to a joint industry submission, has secured an important compliance win for our industry. In June 2024, an update to TR 2013/5 included […]

Increase in CPI a positive for superannuation strategies

According to the latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) released yesterday, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.2 per cent in the December 2024 quarter and 2.4 […]

New Super Tax: A Sucker Punch to Economic Growth

No one begrudges Treasury’s advice that Australia should have a fair and equitable superannuation system. However, continual claims that the proposed new tax on large superannuation balances will only affect […]