5 questions to ask before setting up self-managed super
<p>Self-managed super funds (SMSF) continue to attract retirees looking for greater control over their finances, but is managing your own super for everyone? Here’s five questions to ask yourself before setting one up.</p>
<p>Retirees continue to establish self-managed super funds, with SMSFs the fastest growing area within the superannuation industry. For many Australians, the advantage of managing your own super means greater flexibility in choosing where to invest the money, lower fees and better performance on average compared with industry and retail funds, and ultimately, more control of the future of your retirement income.</p>
<p>Are you looking to manage your own SMSF? Before you do and to get a better understanding of what can be involved, wealth management firm BT Financial Group recommends asking yourself these five questions to see if setting up a SMSF is right for you.</p>
<p><strong>1. Why are you looking to establish a SMSF?</strong></p>
<p>Historically, many prospective SMSF members have used the terms “control” and “choice” as reasons to establish a SMSF. But, this is not necessarily a feature confined to SMSFs. The ability to choose underlying investments (often thought of as also giving control by some) is a feature that is today available in a number of other types of superannuation funds. In general, the only asset classes that SMSF trustees will potentially look to invest in that can’t be achieved through a retail fund are direct property investments and investments in collectibles.</p>
<p><strong>2. How many money do you have to start your SMSF?</strong></p>
<p>You can start your SMSF with less, but the industry recommended investment is around $200,000. This makes the cost of running the fund more competitive with other funds with a similar amount of money invested. There are incidental costs to running your SMSF which should be taken into account when deciding whether it’s a cost effective option with the balance you have.</p>
<p>There are also costs in moving money from one fund to another, such as realising capital gains tax on the sale of existing investments, and time out of the market until investments are re-purchased. Any potential loss of insurance coverage (and the loss of possible benefits around group insurance arrangements) also needs to be considered.</p>
<p><strong>3. What trustee structure will you utilise?</strong></p>
<p>As a trustee you have two choices here – individual or corporate. Most SMSFs have been established with an individual trustee structure, on the basis that it’s initially cheaper and easier. However, the benefits of a corporate structure should not be ignored. It has future benefits for the efficient running of the fund. For example, any direct shareholdings of an SMSF need to be registered in the name of the trustees.</p>
<p>With individual trustees, when new members are added or removed, changes are required to the share register. If held via a corporate trustee, however, any changes in membership of the fund doesn’t require share registry changes, as it’s only the directors of the corporate trustee that change – not the trustee itself.</p>
<p><strong>4. Have you thought about the fund’s investment strategy?</strong></p>
<p>One big requirement in managing a SMSF is to have a sound investment strategy, which complies with the sole purpose test requirements and assists in managing and growing super savings. You should consider diversification, risk and return.</p>
<p>Given the recent amendments to super law, trustees should be aware that they’re also required to review their investment strategy regularly (a good idea would be annually) and to consider the insurance needs of the fund. This doesn’t mean that insurance needs to be taken out if members are adequately covered through other means, but the considerations should be documented for future reference.</p>
<p><strong>5. Do you understand your obligations and responsibilities as a SMSF trustee?</strong></p>
<p>One of the most common comments from new trustees is that it takes more time than they anticipated in running their own fund. All new SMSF trustees are required to sign a standard trustee declaration issued by the Australian Taxation Office.</p>
<p>While this document does a great job of summarising many of the requirements of being a trustee and the responsibilities associated with running a SMSF, the question still remains whether trustees truly understand this or are just signing it as a matter of course for establishing the fund. In the event that something goes wrong, ignorance won’t be an excuse for trustees who have signed the form.</p>
<p><strong>Did you know?</strong></p>
<p>Not to equate a SMSF with a do-it-yourself fund. If you decide to start your own fund, you should choose experienced service providers to assist with the efficient and compliant running of your fund. This includes administrators or accountants to ensure the accounts are maintained, a lawyer for the appropriate drafting of the terms of the SMSF’s deed, a tax agent for completion of annual tax returns, and a financial planner to assist with strategy and investment decisions. </p>
<p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>
