SMSF Association Media Release
With all the conversations taking place around proposed changes to tax structures and the advancements in practice strategies, the SMSF sector is energised. It’s this bristling vibrancy that the SMSF Association is looking to ignite in its attendees at their 2024 National Conference, being held at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre from 21-23 February.
This year’s event will encourage all those working in the sector to embrace these professional opportunities and find new ways to Level Up. This overarching theme will be incorporated across the two and a half days, in technical sessions and workshops designed to elevate specialist superannuation advice and demonstrate how delegates can grow and excel professionally.
SMSF Association’s Head of Technical, Mary Simmons says: “The sector is constantly changing, as evidenced with the possibility of new tax on superannuation earnings exceeding $3 million, we need to ensure collectively that we are always learning to remain at the peak of our abilities, and at the forefront of the industry, so we are best equipped for these new conversations.”
“The SMSF Association’s national conferences have a long history of delivering high quality technical content and bringing together the brightest minds in the SMSF sector.”
“The networking opportunities and ability to share ideas and knowledge among industry peers adds significantly to the depth of learning and professional development.”
“Whether you’re advising clients just starting out in their working careers, clients closer to retirement or who have retired, the program delivers strategies for optimising superannuation contributions and planning for a secure retirement.”
As the new tax on super balances above $3 million becomes an inevitable reality, the Association’s national conference emerges as an essential platform to unravel the intricate details and the impact on the superannuation industry.
“In addition to Meg Heffron’s plenary address on how to address the “doom and gloom” narrative, we have a dedicated workshop to unpack the detail, and using case studies to focus on the nuances of the new tax landscape and how it interacts with elements such as the client’s total super balance and their transfer balance cap.”
“Addressing the needs of high-net-worth individuals, the program features sessions which provide detailed modelling and actionable insights about opportunities and a workshop on wealth management strategies to explore how alternative investment structures can seamlessly complement SMSFs”, Simmons says.
SMSF Association Chair, Scott Hay-Bartlem, will close out the conference with a keynote address on the ramifications that this new tax could have on beneficiaries and estate planning.
We’ve also planned sessions to address the critical need for contingency planning – from navigating the initial death of a member, valid enduring powers of attorney to exercising trustee discretion responsibly and how best to manage rogue trustees.
Given the prominence of direct property holdings in SMSFs, the conference program also offers a range of sessions to explore different ways to structure property ownership, as well as insights into handling complex situations ranging from related party transactions to managing Limited Recourse Borrowing Arrangements (LRBAs) in a rising interest rate environment.
“We also have a compelling series of practice management sessions designed to boost business acumen and operational effectiveness.”
“Sessions will explore the future of the industry with a focus on generational shifts and disruptive technologies including the transformative role of artificial intelligence.
The opening morning of the conference will feature a thought leadership breakfast hosted by Class on the topic of “Holding up the mirror – what the SMSF sector does well and where it needs to level up” followed by the traditional legislative update keynote address by Association CEO Peter Burgess.
Early bird registrations are now open. Following the overwhelming success and popularity of the workshops at previous national conferences, bookings for these are open and we expect the workshops at next year’s conference to reach capacity, so we encourage delegates to register early.
To view the program and register today: SMSF Association National Conference 2024