Self Managed Superannuation Fund

What is a Self Managed Superannuation Fund?

A self managed superannuation fund (SMSF) is a small superannuation trust, where the members of the fund themselves act as trustees.  This means that the members control and run the superannuation fund.  They are thereby responsible for the decisions relating to the develop the investment strategy, investment selection and investment acquisition/disposal of the fund.

A SMSF can invest in almost any type of investment, subject to certain restrictions including commercial and residential property, and other more exotic assets.

Generally, a SMSF is defined as a superannuation fund where:

  • There are less than five members
  • All members are trustees, &
  • No trustee receives

The trustee of the superannuation fund must be run the fund in accordance with the Sole Purpose Test (refer below).

 

What can a Self Managed Superannuation Fund do?

SMSFs can facilitate all major superannuation functions including:

  • Accepting new superannuation contributions.
  • Holding superannuation monies received from a change in employment.
  • Paying a retirement income

 

 

Important information regarding Self Managed Superannuation Funds

 

Members

A SMSF must have between one and four members.  No member is allowed to be an ‘employee’ of another member unless related.

 

The Sole Purpose Test 

To meet the Sole Purpose Test, SMSFs must be established for one of the following purposes:

  • The provision of benefits to members upon retirement or
  • The provision of death or ancillary benefits to members.

 

The trustee of a regulated superannuation fund must comply with the Sole Purpose Test to be eligible for the taxation concessions available to a complying superannuation fund.

 

Investment Guidelines

Legislation requires that the trustees of SMSFs prepare and implement an investment strategy having regard to:

  • The Risk/Return profile of selected investments in light of the investment horizon.
  • The diversification of fund assets.
  • The liquidity of fund assets.
  • The ability of the fund to meet current and prospective liabilities.

 

This strategy must be documented and continually monitored and updated.

In addition, a SMSF may only purchase certain types of investments from you or an associate.  A fund can only acquire the following assets from a member:

  • Shares listed in Australia or on an approved overseas stock exchange.
  • Units in widely held unit trusts.
  • Business real property used wholly for any business purpose.

 

The transfer of any other assets may attract a penalty of imprisonment.

 

Cost Considerations

The costs associated with establishing a SMSF fund may include the following:

  • Preparation of a trust deed including updates following legislative changes
  • In the event of a corporate trustee, costs of establishing and using this framework
  • Costs of using and establishing the administrative framework and,
  • Accounting, audit and ongoing administration of the fund.


Establishing the Trustee/s

The trustee is responsible for compliance with a range of investment related requirements including:

  1. The investment strategy covenant.
  2. Various restrictions on investments and benefits including those related to
  • lending to members or their relatives
  • acquiring assets from members or their relatives
  • in-house assets
  • arms-length transactions
  • borrowing by the fund
  • member reporting obligations
  • contribution standards
  • benefit payments standards.

 

While trustees may outsource certain functions to external service providers such as a fund administrator or an accountant, the ultimate responsibility and accountability for the fund always lies with the trustees.

 

Who can be the Trustee?

The trustee of a SMSF can be a corporate trustee (ie: a private company) or individuals who are members of the fund.

Where the trustees are individuals, the trustee arrangements must be as follows:

  • All members must be trustees
  • Each individual trustee must be a member

 

This arrangement promotes true self management of the fund by ensuring that all the members have the opportunity to be involved in making decisions that directly affect their superannuation.

 

A SMSF may have a corporate trustee providing that:

  • Each director of the company is a member of the fund
  • Each member of the fund is a director of the company

 

Single Member Funds

Where a SMSF has only one member, that person may elect to have a corporate trustee. In this case, the member must:

1. Be the sole director of the trustee company or;

2. There can only be two directors of the trustee company, however the single member:

  • Must not be an employee of the other director of the trustee company, or
  • Must be related to the other director of the trustee company

 

Alternatively if the single member fund does not wish to have a corporate trustee, then the fund must have two individuals as trustees. One of the individual trustees must be the member, along with:

  • Any other person provided the member is not an employee of that person selected to be the other individual trustee, or;
  • Any other person who is a relative of the member

Establishing a Trust Deed

A trust deed is commonly referred to as ‘the governing rules of the fund’. A trust deed is a legal document that establishes the existence of the fund and rules regarding its operation when it is properly executed.

Trust deeds are available from:

  • A solicitor
  • An accountant or;
  • A specialised SMSF service provider

 

The major clauses of a trust deed will normally address the following:

  • Establishment of the fund
  • Structure and purpose of the fund
  • Details of who can be a trustee
  • How to appoint and remove trustees
  • Decision making powers of the trustee
  • Who can be a fund member
  • Who can make contributions
  • When to pay benefits to members
  • Determining members’ benefit entitlements
  • What investments the fund can make
  • Fund records, audit requirements, disclosure and reporting requirements
  • Appointment of actuary, auditor and managers


Advantages of Self Managed Superannuation Funds

Direct Investment Choice - You can invest directly in your own chosen combination of investments, for example, shares, property, fixed interest investments, managed funds and cash.  You may also include business real property (commercial property).

 

Access to Wholesale Managed Funds - You may gain the benefit of access to wholesale managed funds where the investment charges are lower than retail managed funds.

 

Consolidation - You have the ability to have up to four members in a SMSF.  You are therefore able to combine your superannuation benefits into one strategy to reduce ongoing costs and increase the potential for compounding capital growth.

 

Tax Planning - You have the ability to reduce taxation liabilities within the fund by selecting a tax effective mix of investments, including franked dividends. Investment earnings are subject to tax at a maximum rate of 15%.

 

Estate Planning - SMSFs provide estate planning opportunities where there is more than one member in the fund.

A member of a self managed super fund is able to a have a Non-lapsing Binding Nomination which allows them to specify how their benefits are to distributed on their death.

 

Disadvantages of Self Managed Superannuation Funds

Cost Barriers – A typical SMFS is expected to have ongoing costs in a range of $3,000 to $6,000 pa. The cost varies depending on the complexity of investments and level of outsourcing. Upfront costs in establishing the fund are estimated to be between $1,000 and $5,000.

 

Legal and Compliance Obligations – Although as a member/ trustee, many responsibilities can be outsourced, the ultimate responsibility remains with the trustee. Non compliance can result in fines and /or imprisonment.

 

Expertise and Performance – A high level of flexibility in investment choice requires sound knowledge and experience on behalf of the members/ trustees.

 

Time Consuming – It is reasonable to expect a SMSF will take up a considerable more amount of time for the member than alternative superannuation fund offers.

 

When are Self Managed Super Funds Appropriate?

A SMSF is most appropriate for investors who:

  • Prefer to have direct control over their retirement funds.
  • Wish to be involved in investment decisions.
  • Wish to gain from the flexibility and estate planning benefits associated with SMSFs.

 

SMSF members must be prepared for the responsibilities that are associated with being a trustee of a regulated superannuation fund. Members who are prepared to pay for outsourcing much of the administration and investment management of the fund will not need to commit as much of their own time to the fund but will need to be prepared to pay the associated fees for these services.

 

Please Note:

The Superannuation and Insurance Supervision (SIS) legislation codifies some of the most important fiduciary duties of trustees in formal covenants.  The codified duties exist alongside trustee duties under common law.  For trustees, SIS means their basic duties are clearly spelt out.  For members, SIS establishes statutory rights to civil action for loss or damage due to breach of covenants.

This advice may not be suitable to you because it contains general advice that has not been tailored to your personal circumstances.  Please seek personal financial and tax and/or legal advice prior to acting on this information.

Past performance is not a reliable guide to future returns as future returns may differ from and be more or less volatile than past returns.

The material contained in this document is based on information received in good faith from sources within the market, and on our understanding of legislation and Government press releases at the date of publication, which are believed to be reliable and accurate.