The SMSF sector was currently putting too much emphasis on legislative and compliance issues and needed to increase the attention given to the investments of funds, according to a former ATO official.

Legislation clarifying and consolidating the tax treatment of limited recourse borrowing arrangements (LRBA) has been introduced into Parliament.

Research house Zenith’s latest review of the infrastructure sector has found it generated a healthy return of 19.9 per cent to 30 April 2015, as reflected by the S&P Global Infrastructure Index ($A hedged). “Pleasingly, the overall performance of listed infrastructure managers on Zenith’s approved product list was strong, with the majority of rated managers […]

The ATO’s SMSF compliance activity over the next 12 months will pay particular attention to dividend stripping, asset values and related-party loans.

Technology systems were crucial in creating frictionless processes that leveraged the SMSF sector against the rest of the market.

The latest research into the SMSF sector has produced results showing claims SMSF trustees are underinsured may be exaggerated.

SMSFs could begin to consider lifetime annuities as a viable retirement income option rather than traditional account-based pensions (ABP) as more trustees entered the sector with lower fund balances.

Specialist software provider BGL Corporate Solutions has facilitated a threefold boost to its Simple Fund 360, with the inclusion of a licensing solution for accountants, an actuarial certificate capability and an increase in the data feeds associated with the application.

Dealer group Sentry has partnered with technology company IDS Super to provide its advisers with leading-edge online self-managed super fund (SMSF) services, starting in August.