The SMSF Professionals’ Association of Australia (SPAA) has hit back at the critics of SMSF investing strategies, claiming this group levels negative feedback at the sector regardless of the investment techniques it employs.

Advisers should encourage their SMSF clients to act now on legitimate strategies and not allow them to be dissuaded from pursuing their desired course of action due to a fear of proposed legislative change, according to a specialist superannuation lawyer.

Specialist SMSF administration provider Xpress Super has warned SMSF members they are in danger of losing their Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC) as a result of the impending legislative changes to the sector.

SMSF investor behaviour is beginning to influence financial product development, with one recognised fund manager using this factor in designing a capital-protected offering it recently released to the market.

AMP is looking to leverage off its newly developed SMSF research and education centre to provide an official facility for trustees to satisfy any education orders received from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) as part of the regulator’s new penalty regime.

The increased level of automation involved with the establishment and administration of SMSFs could lead to some advice being provided by computers in the short term, an industry specialist has suggested.

The risk of SMSFs being targeted for fraudulent activities increases in conjunction with the growth of the sector, placing greater onus on accountants and auditors to put procedures in place to protect their clients from the actions of criminals, according to a fraud prevention specialist.

The failure to comply with formalities when exercising the discretion associated with executing a binding death benefit nomination (BDBN) is the most likely avenue of challenge against these SMSF estate planning instruments, according to a specialist superannuation lawyer.

Online SMSF legal document provider Cleardocs has been integrated into the Macquarie Cash Management Account (CMA) application process.