New website to improve SMSF knowledge offering to trustees

The SMSF Association has taken the next major step in the evolution of its offering of trustee education and knowledge services with the launch of its new website, SMSF Connect (formerly the Trustee Knowledge Centre) www.smsfconnect.com

Association CEO John Maroney says: “SMSF Connect delivers on our vision of enabling Australians to take greater control of their own destiny through a sustainable SMSF community.

“The website makes it easy for trustees to find the latest SMSF information on investment options, strategy planning and portfolio construction, as well as connecting them to product providers who can offer the information and education needed to assist them manage their fund.”

The launch of SMSF Connect is in direct response to ASIC’s views in Report 575, issued in June 2018, which stated that SMSF advisers needed to improve how they educated their clients about their obligations and responsibilities as SMSF trustees. “We believe that SMSF Connect will be a vital tool for our members to deliver on this recommendation by the regulator,” he says.

The Association’s inaugural SMSF Week research report, which used Investment Trends data and findings, found that about 136,000 SMSFs (about 23% of the SMSF population) had unmet tax and superannuation advice needs – the highest of all types of unmet adviser requirements.

Maroney says SMSF Connect will offer trustees a wide range of resources, such as insight papers, guides, checklists, videos and learning modules, to explore these issues.

“The research report also found that 82% of SMSFs believe that diversification is important; however, in practice many don’t achieve it.

“SMSF Connect will arm trustees with the information on how to achieve diversification in their fund, as well as connecting them to accredited SMSF professionals who can help them achieve this goal.”

Other features of the platform include:

  • Offers trustees access to regular advocacy updates from the Association’s policy team and provides them with opportunities for face-to-face meetings at SMSF trustee events. The next event is in Sydney on 9 April and trustees can register now at https://smsfconnect.com/event/smsf-investor-event
  • Current SMSF legislation, rules and trustee administration obligations and responsibilities can be accessed in simple step-by-step modules in one convenient location – https://smsfconnect.com/understanding-smsfs
  • Connects unadvised trustees to a directory of Independently accredited SMSF specialists via the Find a Specialist function – https://smsfconnect.com/find-a-specialist