Avoiding future SMSF litigation required death benefit planning to leave no room for argument, a leading lawyer servicing the sector has said.

A co-regulatory model for SMSFs could result in the sector benefitting from the best of both types of regulation, prudential and compliance, according to a specialist industry adviser.

The ATO will this year focus on implementing its extensive transformation program, which includes simplifying its interaction and dealings with auditors, as well as reducing internal red tape.

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

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.

Business owners should consider using an SMSF to house the investments and assets of the business for retirement preparation and risk mitigation, according to a succession planning expert.

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.

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.

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. “Having a surprise rate cut, the potential for another rate cut on the way, we have better prospects for capital return in the equity market in Australia,” Platypus Asset Management […]