The federal budget’s removal of tax barriers for some retirement income products is only one piece of the puzzle and further measures are required to create greater flexibility, particularly for SMSFs.

Reserving strategies would become more powerful and relevant as a result of the new transfer balance cap of $1.6 million relating to the pension phase of superannuation funds handed down in the 2016 federal budget, according to an SMSF sector expert.

Two separate Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) investigations have resulted in one man pleading guilty to six different charges and another being charged with 31 counts of deception and one count of dishonest dealings with documents.

The federal government’s proposed changes to superannuation rules might affect as many as 85,000 SMSFs with 160,000 members, which was much more than what was suggested in the budget papers, according to BGL Corporate Solutions.

Asset manager VanEck has released two new exchange-traded funds (ETF) on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX). The VanEck Vectors FTSE Global Infrastructure (hedged) ETF (ASX code IFRA) will provide individuals with an avenue to invest in global listed infrastructure securities. The benchmark to be used for the new offering is the FTSE Developed Core Infrastructure […]

The federal government’s intention to implement the Financial System Inquiry (FSI) recommendation to have the purpose of superannuation enshrined in law has been met with a mixed reaction from the SMSF sector. The SMSF Association welcomed the announcement and was optimistic about working with the government to shape the objective. “We have been a strong […]

Macquarie has introduced a new automated advice service to the market aimed at SMSF trustees and self-directed investors.

SMSF advisers and trustees need to be aware the ATO’s practical compliance guideline (PCG) issued last month regarding limited recourse borrowing arrangements (LRBA) does not cover all assets or all aspects of these types of gearing strategies, according to some sector experts. SMSF Design chief executive Tracey Besters pointed out the safe harbour circumstances outlined […]