Blogs

SMSF Pension Phase: Managing Pension Commutations and TBAR Reporting

Moving part or all of your SMSF into pension phase is a milestone worth celebrating. It also introduces a layer of reporting that many trustees are not expecting, and that catches out even experienced fund members:

The Hidden Cost of a Siloed SMSF: Why Your Accountant and Financial Planner Need to Talk

Here is a scenario we see constantly across the Gold Coast and Queensland. A business owner has an accountant who handles their business and tax, and a financial planner who manages their personal investments. Their SMSF

What the New Residential LRBA Rules Mean for SMSF Trustees

Superannuation law around Limited Recourse Borrowing Arrangements, commonly known as LRBAs, has changed in a way that directly affects anyone considering property as part of their SMSF strategy. Legislation banning new residential LRBAs received Royal Assent

Contribution Strategies: How to Maximise What Goes Into Your SMSF Each Year

For business owners with variable income, super contributions are often an afterthought, something dealt with in a rush in June rather than planned deliberately across the year. That approach usually means leaving genuine opportunity on the

SMSF Trust Deeds Explained: Why an Outdated Deed Could Be Costing You

Your SMSF’s trust deed is the legal document that governs how your fund operates. It sets out what the fund can invest in, how benefits can be paid, how members and trustees can be added or

SMSF Audits Explained: What Happens and Why Independence Matters

Every Self Managed Super Fund is legally required to be audited every year by an approved SMSF auditor, regardless of the fund’s size or how simple its investments are. There is no minimum balance exemption and

Transition to Retirement (TTR) Pensions: A Strategic Guide for Business Owners

If you have reached your preservation age but are not ready to fully retire, a Transition to Retirement pension, commonly called a TTR, allows you to draw an income from your SMSF while you are still

SMSF Estate Planning: Why a Binding Death Benefit Nomination Isn’t Optional

Many trustees assume that because they have a will, their superannuation is covered. It is not. Your super, including your SMSF balance, sits outside your estate unless you have specifically arranged for it to be dealt

SMSF Suitability: Is a Self-Managed Fund Actually Right for You?

An SMSF is often marketed as the ultimate way to take control of your retirement savings. That is true for the right person. It is not true for everyone, and a genuinely good SMSF adviser will

Corporate Trustee vs Individual Trustee: Which Structure Is Right for Your SMSF?

One of the first decisions when setting up an SMSF is how the fund will be governed: through individual trustees or a corporate trustee. It sounds like a minor administrative choice buried in the setup paperwork.