Smarter Smsf

In episode 44 of the Smarter SMSF podcast, Aaron is joined by Kevin Bungard, CEO of Class Limited to discuss the release of the June 2018 Benchmark Report, titled 'the great pension squeeze'.  In this session, Aaron and Kevin discuss just how much impact from a taxation perspective the super reforms have on Government revenues, in particular with the introduction of the transfer balance cap and the taxation of transition to retirement income streams (TRISs).  They discuss current and future policy settings including the proposed measures of the Labor Government to remove franking credit refunds, in addition to the Productivity Commission's draft report that contemplated a $1.0m balance as a comparative figure for SMSFs.  

In episode 43 of the Smarter SMSF podcast, Aaron takes a look back at his open letter to the profession from the 2014 inaugural Future of SMSF report and reflects upon just how the SMSF sector has evolved during this time.  Legislative change from 1 July 2017, Regulatory change (and more to come), and rapid technology advancement are all impacting the way in which new trustees are entering the SMSF space and also how practitioners look to serve the needs of new and existing funds. Aaron shares some of his observations of topical issues over the past few years and provides some insights into what this might mean as we head into the future of SMSF.  Importantly, this aligns back to the very reason as to why Smarter SMSF has created this year's Future of SMSF survey to help shape a smarter SMSF future.

The shift in the SMSF sector has been happening for some time, but the impact of the super reforms amongst a range of other issues has magnified the focus for professionals to consider real change in their practice more than ever before.  In this week's episode 42, Aaron talks about the need for real change within the SMSF sector and how this forms the basis of his reason for creating this year's Future of SMSF survey.   Change is coming from all directions - some of it in response to the outcomes from the Royal Commission and ASIC's focus on the quality of SMSF advice.  Add to this the efficiency focus impacting SMSFs from the Productivity Commission's initial report into Superannuation competitiveness, ASIC's revised funding model that has impacted the costs borne by approved auditors and the fast paced change occurring with technology, you can start to understand why things are changing and how it is important that as professionals we help shape the sector for a smarter smsf future. To participate in thi

We get a lot of praise and questions from people about how well we have embraced cloud-based technology in our business to deliver solutions for our clients.  In many ways, it not what we have that has built success, but what we did with it that defines us.  As we head into the launch of this year's Future of SMSF survey, Aaron 'lift's the hood' in this week's podcast (episode 41) to share some of the tech stack (applications we use) within our business.  He shares what is used internally within the business to manage tasks, opportunities and performance everyday, along with the client-facing tools that help deliver the products and services. There were mistakes along the way, changing applications and continuing to learn and understand what was right to help the business succeed.  Aaron shares some of these stories and helps you to identify what may be important for you in a modern practice building a truly cloud-based solution for your clients.

In episode 40 of the Smarter SMSF podcast, Aaron is joined by Jeevan Tohki, Product Manager at BGL to discuss the changes to the SMSF Annual Return (SAR) for 2017-18.  The new superannuation reforms from 1 July 2017 has meant a raft of amendments to the current SAR that impacts member information such as total superannuation balances, and transition to retirement income streams (TRISs), along with updates to regulatory data including limited recourse borrowing arrangements and CGT relief information where a fund chose to defer under the transitional CGT relief provisions. Aaron and Jeevan explore the impact of these specific changes, including what practitioners should be aware of when looking at the preparation of the financials and SMSF Annual Return for this income year.

In episode 39 of the Smarter SMSF podcast, Aaron shares his views into the evolving SMSF sector today.  Back in 2014, Aaron created the inaugural Future of SMSF report, the first time ever that we gained insights into how practitioners are servicing the needs of trustees, and how their business model operates.  Throughout the past few years, we have seen the continued shift to cloud-technology within the SMSF sector, huge legislative change from 1 July 2017 and ongoing regulatory reform that impacts how professionals engage with trustees.   Aaron discusses these many challenges and opportunities within the sector and talks about why he is again undertaking the Future of SMSF survey again in 2018.  Whilst there is more competition within the sector than ever before, including through an 'índustrialised' focus at the bigger end of town, this is far from the demise for the smaller practitioner.  However, how you respond in the evolution of your SMSF business model will fundamentally determine you success in the

In this week's episode of the Smarter SMSF podcast (episode 38), Aaron is joined by Kevin Bungard, CEO of Class Limited to discuss insights from the March 2018 Benchmark report.  In this quarterly report, Class looked at the continued growth of ETFs within SMSF as part of the fund's investment strategy.  Both Aaron and Kevin discuss some of the rationale for the popularity of ETFs, not only as a low-cost solution, but also providing exposure to markets that trustees typically don't invest in directly (e.g. emerging markets).   In addition, Kevin and Aaron discuss some of the insights from the updated benchmark data around membership, account balances, member phases and more with a focus on understanding what shifts are occuring in the data since the introduction of the new super reform measures from 1 July 2017.

In episode 37 of the Smarter SMSF podcast, Aaron explores the fantastic opportunities presented by the downsizer contribution rules than commence from 1 July 2018.  Whilst the policy intent and explanatory memorandum appear to design the downsizer contribution rules for those who sell their house to 'downsizer', this in practice in not where the strategy considerations end - rather they simply start with the rules in Section 292.102 of the ITAA 1997 provide far wider scope for downsizer contributions that first thought, with opportunities extending to in-specie asset contributions and more. Aaron discusses the key conditions of the downsizer rules, the requirements of the fund's deed to allow such contributions, and the strategic opportunities that these new measures present.

As we move ever so closer to the first due date with SMSFs for event-based reporting, the transfer balance account reporting (TBAR) framework within a practice has very quickly become the most topical issue for practitioners dealing with SMSFs.  With the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) indicating additional reporting being required within the TBAR for pension members with accumulation accounts, it is the impact of the technical nuances with this reporting framework that may see some practitioners come unstuck.  Whilst the ATO will take an educative approach in the early stages of rollout, the failure to effectively implement a system a process within a practice is likely to lead to inefficiencies, but also leakage of events to report in a timely manner. In this week's podcast, Aaron discusses the recent commentary about reporting accumulation phase values as part of the TBAR, the requirements for reporting 2017-18 events and how practices intend on handling TBAR within their practice moving into the new qua

It is fair to say that we weren't expecting anything too dramatic when it came to superannuation and SMSFs in 2018-19 Federal Budget and the most part we were right.  The Treasurer, Scott Morrison delivered a budget that looked to hand back some of the more than expected revenues generated since the mid-year economic report.  Given that this was most likely the Government's last opportunity to present a budget before the next Federal election, it was always going to have a few 'sweeteners' included.  This extended to SMSFs too... In this podcast, Aaron discusses the proposed measures from the Federal Budget that impacted superannuation and SMSFs more specifically.  This included the announcement to extend the membership of an SMSF from 4 to 6, expanding the work test for certain individuals 65-74 where their total superannuation balance is

The Opposition Leader, Bill Shorten has announced a plan today for the Labor Government (if elected) will change the dividend imputation system to only allow for franking credits to be applied to offset tax on taxable income, rather than act as refundable tax credits.  For many SMSFs, this refundable credit measure introduced back in 2000 under the Howard/Costello Government has played an important role in the vast sums of superannuation monies remaining invested within the Australian share market.  For some SMSFs, this franking credit refund added as much as 2% of the fund's rate of return each year and ensured that the attributable tax rate on the income reflected the rate of tax payable by the taxpayer - i.e. accumulation phase 15%, pension phase - 0%. The ALP would not release the costing, but said the (Parliamentary Budget Office) PBO found: The policy would save $11.4 billion in 2020-21 and 2021-22 The plan would affect about 200,000 SMSFs Some SMSFs received cash refunds of up to $2.5 million in 2

In episode 33 of the Smarter SMSF podcast, Aaron is joined by Kevin Bungard, CEO of Class Limited to discuss the release of the December 2017 - Class SMSF Benchmark Report which explores the topic of pensions and whether they match their SMSF stereotype.  With pension-paying funds now representing half of the SMSF sector today, the characteristics vary significantly from the average and median data typically outlined by the ATO each year in their SMSF statistical overview. Aaron and Kevin discuss some of the insights from the report, including areas for practitioners to be focused on and how these fund's act and operate differently from those SMSFs with a far younger member profile. In the podcast, Aaron and Kevin also talk about the value of what this data is telling us and why it is so critical today in helping to shape the conversation of the SMSF industry with policy settings into the future - in particular with the creation of the SMSF Association's think tank created in conjunction with the Regulator

The SMSF Association's National Conference is always a 'must attend' for those working within the SMSF industry.  It is an event that shapes the future of the SMSF sector, draws industry stakeholders from Treasury, ASIC, ATO and more, along with a high calibre of technical experts to share their views of the latest strategies and issues impacting SMSFs.  It is a conference where you continue to learn through engagement with your peers and once again the conference provided a wonderful platform to showcase the skills of its members. In this week's episode 32, I discuss some of my key takeaways from the conference, which included: Why practitioners need to re-think compliance - how Adam Goldstein in my session on 'thriving or surviving' with the super reforms discussed the approach of 'compliance as a strategy' post 1 July 2017; How well we've evolved our understanding of the super reforms in 12 months from the last conference, but we still have many lingering problems to resolve and/or seeking further clari

This week is a watershed moment, with the rebrand of The SMSF Academy into Smarter SMSF.  Any brand decision you make is an important one as it represents who you are and want to be, in particular in the eyes of your customer.  In episode 31, Aaron is joined by Darren Taylor, Managing Director of Taylor & Grace who has worked exclusively to develop the brand that is now Smarter SMSF.  They discuss in this podcast: the rebrand journey - helping to find your 'why' and what you want the brand to stand for; building a brand model; and what it really means to live your brand This session talks about the journey to Smarter SMSF, but importantly will help you to understand the key ingredients for you business to live your brand everyday and in everything you do.  

We have seen ASIC recently fire a warning shot across the bow of professionals regarding the appropriate completion of binding death benefit nominations for their clients (http://bit.ly/asic-dbn).  This media release by ASIC highlighted the importance of a carefully constructed death benefit nomination.  In this week's episode 30, Aaron discusses the topic of death benefit nominations to raise the point that they are all not the same, in particular when it comes to SMSFs.  Understanding the fund's governing rules and process required for a DBN to be valid is critical to ensure the most appropriate and effective way of distributing death benefits.  He is joined by Chris Hill, Lawyer and SMSF Specialist from Hill Legal to discuss the issues raised by ASIC with DBNs, how this translates for SMSFs and what practitioners need to focus on with their deeds and DBNs as a result of the super reforms.

How members look to take their benefits post 1 July 2017 has become a key strategy to be employed as a result of the introduction of the transfer balance cap.  Where a member intends on taking more than the minimum pension, there are a range of important factors to consider.  In episode 29 this week of The SMSF Academy, Aaron explores some of these primary considerations to deal with the benefit payment amounts that will ordinarily be more than the minimum pension obligation.  Importantly, in this session Aaron discusses the importance of documentation around these decisions and what should be put in place and by when to ensure the right outcomes are achieved.

As we hit the ground running in 2018, the year ahead provides plenty of opportunities for practitioners to contemplate with their SMSF clients (and clients more broadly).  This time of year is traditionally full of optimism as we assess our goals, what we would like to achieve and put in place action plans to go out and achieve them.  All sounds good in theory anyway, right? In this week's episode, Aaron talks about the 8 key things to focus on in 2018 - many of these items are discussed not only to relate to you, but Aaron discusses how he is utilising these key focus areas himself within his business as we advance into the year ahead and beyond.  He provides some personal challenges for you and things you need to put some real prioritisation into to ensure that you have a successful 2018. So, what are your key focuses in 2018?  Tell us through social media via @thesmsfacademy

In this week's episode, Aaron looks at the super reform changes that have had a profound impact on partial commutations.  Prior to these new measures, members had a far greater level of flexibility with both TRISs and Account Based Pensions where benefit payments could be re-characterised for income tax purposes, including having these amounts count towards minimum pension obligations.  The legislation even extended as far to allow for 'in-specie pension payments' through the appropriate process of making elections under the Income Tax Regulations.   Now with the new superannuation measures in play, times have changed and Aaron explains just how these strategies have been impacted, but discusses new ideas and concepts for consideration with partial commutations for transfer balance cap purposes.

In this week's podcast (Episode 26), Aaron discusses the ongoing confusion within the SMSF industry about the decisions being made to apply CGT relief under the segregated method, but where the trustee switches the the proportionate method for income tax purposes on 30 June 2017 to avail the fund to apply CGT relief on any or all of the fund's assets (as they are no longer segregated current pension assets).  Aaron explores the legislative requirements to comply with the object of the relief, but importantly whether a fund needs to obtain an actuarial certificate for the income year where it adopts the proportionate method on 30 June.  This session highlights the importance of how the documentation of applying CGT relief can impact on the approach that needs to be taken within the fund.

In episode 25 of The SMSF Academy podcast, Aaron Dunn discusses with the CEO of Class Limited, Kevin Bungard the release of the September 2017 Benchmark Report.  This report provides key insights to a specific industry feature, benchmark data on SMSF members and investment insights on how SMSFs invest from the more than 145,000 funds currently administered through the Class Super software. The primary focus of the September 2017 report looked at whether the super reforms are set to close the gender gap within SMSFs, including the some of the areas of opportunity for practitioners to deploy strategies in dealing with the differences between male and female SMSF members. As we head towards the six month mark post super reforms, Aaron and Kevin also discuss some of the key challenges within the SMSF sector and what lies ahead.