SMSF trustees must take full responsibility for their decisions as breaches to investment standards could lead to problems with the sole purpose test as well as possible non-compliance, an industry expert has warned.

Business owners should consider using an SMSF to house the investments and assets of the business for retirement preparation and risk mitigation, according to a succession planning expert.

The industry and major political parties needed to take a common-ground approach to dealing with the many challenges facing the superannuation sector, especially complex SMSF issues, the opposition financial services and superannuation spokesman Bernie Ripoll has said.

The outlook of SMSF trustees should be increasingly positive as a result of the government’s declaration of support for the key principles of superannuation and increased ATO and Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) sector surveillance, according to the SMSF Association.

The Australian equities market is capable of generating small capital gains along with some yield income for investors in 2015, according to an investment specialist. “Having a surprise rate cut, the potential for another rate cut on the way, we have better prospects for capital return in the equity market in Australia,” Platypus Asset Management […]

UBS Global Asset Management has expanded its IQ suite of exchanged-traded funds (ETF) in Australia to include six new ethically-framed equity funds covering different parts of the world. The firm recently unveiled the UBS IQ MSCI Australia Ethical ETF, World ex Australia Ethical ETF, Europe Ethical ETF, USA Ethical ETF, Japan Ethical ETF and Asia […]

The federal government will consult “with an open mind” on the future of limited recourse borrowing arrangements (LRBA) and talk to all stakeholders before making a decision, according to Assistant Treasurer Josh Frydenberg.

A financial services firm has warned business owners against holding buy/sell cover inside an SMSF in order to receive a tax deduction for the associated insurance premiums.

The SMSF Association has announced it will be making a new accreditation available for its members in 2015.