Chances are, if you have had more than one job, you will most likely have multiple super accounts. Having multiple super accounts means more fees and less savings. Consolidating all your super accounts into one account can help you to keep track of your super, reduce unnecessary paperwork, and most importantly, save on costs. The…
With changes to Australia’s superannuation rules coming into play on 1 July 2017, self-managed super fund (SMSF) trustees would do well to review their fund’s trust deed. Despite the fact that maintaining an up-to-date trust deed is a vital aspect of managing a SMSF, many trustees fail to do so, usually due to the time…
Self-managed super funds (SMSFs) have a number of investment restrictions which apply to transactions conducted within the fund. One such restriction applies to transactions involving ‘related parties’ of the fund and ‘relatives of members.’ No one associated with the SMSF should obtain a present-day benefit from the fund’s investments. The fund needs to meet the…
Running a self-managed super fund requires trustees to adhere to complex laws and follow a number of onerous rules. One of the most fundamental investment rules for SMSFs is that the trustees must transact on an arm’s length basis to ensure no conflict of interest arises. An arm’s length transaction requires trustees to conduct on…
Self-managed super funds can access Capital Gains Tax (CGT) relief to provide temporary relief from certain capital gains that might arise as a result of individuals complying with the transfer balance cap, and Transition to Retirement Income Stream (TRIS) reforms, commencing on 1 July 2017. The transitional CGT relief is designed to preserve the income…
The introduction of a $1.6 million transfer balance cap for superannuation will take effect from 1 July 2017 which is likely to impact fund members who collectively with their spouse exceed $1.6 million in super. When an individual with a super account dies, the trustee of the super fund will generally pay the deceased’s remaining…
Taking out insurance through a super fund can be a great option for some members, but it does also come with some pitfalls. Most super funds provide their members with insurance options and an option to increase, decrease or cancel your default insurance cover. There are many benefits of taking out insurance through super, which…
Pre-retirees can take advantage of a range of strategies to boost their nest egg. Here are three popular ways to top up your retirement savings: Maximise contributions Take advantage of the concessional (pre-tax) and non-concessional (after-tax) contributions by contributing as much as you can afford before reaching the caps. From 1 July 2017, the annual…
The reforms to superannuation made in the 2016 Federal Budget are on their way with most of the changes commencing from 1 July 2017. Some of the changes to take place from 1 July 2017 onwards will include: Lowering the concessional and non-concessional contribution caps The cap on concessional (before-tax) contributions will be decreased from…
Tighter superannuation rules will apply from 1 July 2017 as part of the super reforms announced in last year’s Federal Budget. The new rules include the introduction of a $1.6 million super balance cap for after-tax contributions; a maximum of up to $25,000 for concessional contributions; and the removal of the current “bring-forward” rule allowing…
