The latest SuperConcepts “SMSF Investment Pattern Survey” has provided tangible evidence that the 2016 federal budget’s proposed super changes are having a significant effect on SMSF trustee’s confidence in retirement savings, with a drastic fall in contributions in the June quarter.

While the real outcomes of the end of the accountants’ exemption would not be known until much later, it was the end clients who would instantly feel the change via limitations in the relationship with their accountant, according to an industry executive.

The first half of the year shows new floats are flying and large caps are struggling.

Social investment network facilitator SelfWealth has released the 2015/16 results for its own indices that show they have outperformed comparable Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) benchmarks.

The latest joint SMSF Association and Accurium sector research has shown the majority of SMSF trustee couples are well placed to have an asset balance high enough to fund at least a comfortable lifestyle in retirement.

Recent analysis into SMSF data has revealed investors are continuing to retreat from the volatile stock market, after recording their lowest investment for five years in this asset class.

The SMSF Association has welcomed the reappointment of Chris Bowen as shadow treasurer and the appointment of Katy Gallagher as shadow minister for small business and financial services.

A specialist trust deed provider has warned against the belief that family trusts might be a preferred investment vehicle over SMSFs due to the likelihood of proposed changes to the retirement savings system being implemented, now that the Turnbull government has been re-elected.

SMSF administration software specialist Class Super has entered into an integration arrangement with automated investment adviser and fund manager, Stockspot, allowing for direct data connection between the two parties to enable income processing and investment tax reporting.