More and more Australians are looking to take greater control and be involved in their superannuation. With over 1/3 of the total superannuation pool of funds in this sector the Self Managed Super Fund (SMSF) appears to be becoming the retirement vehicle of choice for many Australians. There are now more than 591,981 funds in existence covering 1,115,790 members, with the value of assets residing in these vehicles currently standing at close to $673 billion rising faster than any other sector other than mandated contributions to MySuper accounts. (source: Self-managed super fund statistical report – September 2017)

Most commentators attribute the rise in SMSFs to the desire by baby boomers (those born 1946-64) to take control over their retirement assets, rather than leave it to platforms or fund managers they struggle to understand. It’s often not that they believe they can seriously do better themselves but more the fact that they would prefer to have the ultimate control and know that if funds are earning or not earning and that they can clearly see why and adapt if needed. Also a clear trend in the last 5 years has been the rise in Gen X (born 1965 to 1980) starting SMSFs as they have had superannuation for most of their working lives and are now meeting the “rough guideline” of $200K to open a Self-Managed Super Fund.

Today, the main driver for a SMSF is concern that the stock market (where your super funds invest to make money) has been hit hard by the Covid 19 outbreak and resulting world markets loosing huge amounts of money. The phrase “As safe as Houses” has never been so true as now.

However, there are other key benefits that along with this control over investment choice, that make Self Managed Superannuation such an attractive retirement funding vehicle (I say vehicle as it is only an entity and it is the investments chosen and the strategies employed that lead to the ultimate success or failure of a fund).

Investment choice :

The key attribute of SMSFs has always been investment control, and the wider investment choice (such as direct shares, residential and commercial property, collectibles, art work etc) that trustees have compared to retail and industry super funds. You also have access to using derivatives and other more complex strategies to implement some downside protection or hedging of portfolio risk. One of the main reasons I recommend SMSFs is for small business owners to have business real property ( ie. that is used by their business) owned their SMSF and leased back to the business. This provides a steady income for the SMSF and frees up capital to grow your business as well as provide a secure tenancy.

Borrowing :

With the rules now allowing SMSFs to borrow we can aim for larger properties or to implement the strategy earlier in the lives of the members. This ties in with the flexibility of SMSFs and added benefits over and above a retail or industry super fund mentioned earlier.

Tax Minimisation :

All Superannuation funds (let’s ignore Defined Benefit Schemes for now), offer the ability to take tax-free pension income streams in retirement which is a big incentive to keep your funds within the superannuation environment. You don’t need to have all your assets in superannuation, especially with the increase in the tax-free thresholds; however, by cleverly balancing the amount inside and outside of super you can minimise your tax on a relatively large income and possibly access benefits you thought beyond reach such as the Commonwealth Seniors Healthcare Card or even some Aged Pension.

Tax Control:

A further benefit of SMSFs is the control and flexibility that trustees can exert over the tax position of the fund. Through structuring and timing pensions (in some cases multiple pensions) and tilting investment strategies to use the concessional tax treatment of the funds (such as targeting franking credits) tax can be significantly reduced and in for many retirement phase clients refunds can be claimed from the ATO for excess credits!. There is also added flexibility in terms of dealing with the tax liabilities of the fund, as the fund only does one tax return even though there can be up to 4 different members in the fund and each could have an accumulation and numerous pension accounts.

Passing on Tax Benefits :

Using strategies such as Future Service Benefit Deductions your family members can benefit from large tax benefits on the death of a member.

Cut out unnecessary CGT, brokerage and buy/sell spread costs:

When it comes time to enter the pension phase through a Transition to Retirement while still working or a full Account Based Pension on retiring, an SMSF structure allows an almost seamless transition from accumulation into pension or draw-down mode. You do not have to sell down your assets incurring various fees or taxes in the process as you simply minute the move to pension phase via a Pension Kit and retain your investments as is, no need to change. .

Passing on your wealth – Superannuation Estate Planning:

There are many useful estate planning benefits built into the superannuation system and even more so via SMSFs. First, you need to be clear that your Will does not control your superannuation benefits unless you specifically nominate this option. Keeping your superannuation assets outside of your will may be a smart move especially in these days of blended families and “No Win-No Fee” lawyers willing to challenge any and all estates. Within a SMSF you can design a strategy to accomplish exactly what you are after, with superior tax outcomes. This includes being able to leave “taxable” pensions to SIS Dependants who can receive them TAX FREE and tax-free or substantially tax-free lump sums to non-dependants . Likewise you can structure very tax effective income streams to dependent beneficiaries such as a disabled child or sick spouse with control around when they receive pensions and even lump sums and to effectively look after that person long after you are gone. Like the more up to date retail funds, through your SMSF you can make non-lapsing binding nominations unlike older super funds which have to be continually updated a real nightmare if you have an onset of dementia or illness preventing you renewing them).

Asset Protection :

The Asset protection afforded in all superannuation vehicles is crucial in a world where litigation and bankruptcy has become commonplace. In either of these events, your benefits are protected, even if you withdraw some of this to live on. From time to time I advise those in a failing business not to try to prop up the business by accessing their super but rather leave the funds protected to give themselves some chance of getting back on their feet and taking care of their family.

Are you starting to see the trend when it comes to the benefits of an SMSF? It’s all about flexibility and control of outcomes. But what about COST which is often the major initial driver of interest in an SMSF.

Cost / Cost Savings :

This may be an over rated benefit as I find that once people start using the strategies and benefits mentioned above that the cost becomes a minor issue in running a fund. But for some the cost of running a SMSF can be significantly lower than the alternative platforms, especially as service providers bring technological and labour-saving ideas to bear in the administration of the funds. As a guide the average cost of the annual administration of a fund will be around about $1,200 to $5,500 pa including accounting supervisory and audit fees. Yes there are cheaper but you pay for what you get.

As with all vehicles you have the option to drive the strategies yourself to minimise advice costs or take on a co-driver(s) via an SMSF Advisor, Financial Planner, Accountant or Lawyer. Look for professionals with experience in the strategies that suit your needs. The power of the SMSF solution is that you have ultimate control of what advice you seek and how you pay for that advice through negotiation with your chosen advisor and the ability to end the relationship and move on with limited hindrances.

In summary Self-Managed Super Funds have become popular and effective retirement vehicle through satisfied users passing their feedback on to others. However you must also be willing to take on the responsibilities that being a SMSF trustee entails but a good advisor team will guide and educate you along the way if you are prepared to learn.

If you are, then the potential for what I call “The Sleep Factor” is within reach. The ability to have comfortable night’s sleep knowing you have control of your finances, understand your investments, maximised tax effectiveness and implemented effective estate planning along with some asset protection.

Now pick up your last Superannuation Statement and see if that gives you the same feeling!