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.

It is imperative for advisers to inform their clients about the federal government’s planned superannuation changes during the current period of uncertainty about the proposals resulting from a lack of legislation and the upcoming election, according to a specialist superannuation lawyer.

The federal government needed to provide much more information on the practical implications of the $1.6 million transfer balance cap applying to the pension phase of superannuation announced in this year’s budget, according to an accounting firm partner.

The SMSF Association and Morgans Financial have joined forces to offer the stockbroking and wealth management firm’s advisers a range of education, training and accreditation offerings.