Trustees looking to raid their SMSFs to prop up a small business would be better off facing bankruptcy than the consequences of illegal early release, according to a legal expert.

Individuals accessing their super early under the government’s new relief provisions should be given the option to top up their super once the crisis has passed without being subject to the limits currently in place, a specialist auditor says.

Individuals should use the government’s coronavirus financial relief measure allowing early access to superannuation benefits sensibly, an industry body has advised.

Clients should be advised to withdraw the full amount allowable from their superannuation fund early if this COVID-19 relief measure is required, a technical expert has said.