The federal government has moved to further incentivise retirees to downsize their home through including the former home in its new downsizer contributions rules, meaning many more adviser clients over 65 could be eligible to make additional contributions to superannuation, according to IOOF.

There are a few different ways individuals can contribute money into superannuation for the benefit of their spouse. Taking advantage of these contribution options can help spouses achieve parity in relation to their respective super account balances over time and provide increased flexibility in relation to managing the transfer balance cap.

The latest statistical analysis provided by the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA) has shown a significant increase in women’s share of retirement savings balances over the past 23 years.

The new rules allowing individuals to make tax-deductible voluntary superannuation contributions introduced as part of the super reforms have allowed SMSF members to overcome the inequitable and limiting nature of salary sacrifice arrangements, according to the SMSF Association.

Introducing a national default superannuation scheme is a good idea in theory, but in reality would present numerous issues for the super sector, an industry executive has warned.

The SMSF Association has declared the fundamental right of all employees to have the ability to choose their own super fund, including an SMSF, should be an integral part of the retirement savings system.

Positive influencing factors rather than negative ones are the elements advisers and their clients must be cognisant of when determining whether an SMSF has control over a trust in which it is invested and as such potential in-house asset issues, an industry technical expert has said.