The changes to superannuation included in the 2016 federal budget were no cause for panic among SMSF members, according to an accounting firm senior executive. “Let’s not panic. It’s not like superannuation is over; it’s just there’s a cap now for pensions and we’ll see what the rules are,” HLB Mann Judd managing partner Tony […]

Detached housing prices are not set for a dramatic fall in the immediate future, according to an international bank chief economist. Speaking at the Australian Shareholders’ Association Conference in Sydney in May, HSBC Australia and New Zealand chief economist Paul Bloxham said detached dwellings were unlikely to be affected by other factors in the residential […]

AMP Capital has entered into a partnership with exchange-traded fund (ETF) issuer BetaShares and in the coming months will launch an initial three exchange-traded managed funds suitable for SMSF trustees and self-directed investors.  Under the alliance, the AMP Capital Dynamic Markets Fund, Global Property Securities Fund and Global Infrastructure Securities Fund will be listed on […]

Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) has revealed its four-pronged approach for its SMSF arm in the next 12 months is comprised of broadening its offer, filling any service gaps, simplifying its technology and investing in education.

The changes to the superannuation contributions caps announced in the 2016 federal budget will make the administration of an SMSF a great deal more difficult, according to a technical expert for the sector. Miller Super Solutions founder Tim Miller identified the new rule allowing the carry forward of unused portions of concessional contributions caps for […]

The risk associated with hybrids – debt securities with characteristics between a bond and a share – needs to be understood by individuals before they are included in an investment portfolio, a senior executive specialising in fixed income has said. “If you’re holding hybrids as fixed income or as defence, they’re not defensive assets. You’ve […]

Ascentiv Group has provided the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) with an enforceable undertaking (EU) in light of concerns over the appropriateness of advice provided to clients about the establishment and use of SMSFs. ASIC surveillance found the activities of Ascentiv troublesome because the licensee failed to ensure the SMSF advice provided by its representatives was […]

The SMSF Association has welcomed the ATO’s decision to extend the time period for SMSF trustees to comply with the new safe harbour guidelines governing non-bank limited recourse borrowing arrangements (LRBA).

More segregated accounts are likely to emerge as a result of the federal budget’s $1.6 million transfer balance cap, as many SMSFs will want to have control over whether their assets are placed into the accumulation account or pension account.