Self-managed super funds (SMSFs) are a great way of ensuring you have extra money for your retirement, plus there are many things you can opt to do with them. Your SMSF will essentially allow you to do anything your trust deed permits. It can open the doors to a host of different opportunities. For instance, you can use your SMSF to invest in properties and buy off the plan. Does that sound interesting? Let us give you more ideas about that. Here, we discuss the pros and cons of buying off the plan with your SMSF. What is buying off the plan? Buying off the plan means purchasing a home or com ..read more

Self-managed superannuation funds (SMSFs) are required by law to submit an annual return to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) every year. Trustees of an SMSF have huge responsibilities. If they miss important details or commit ATO violations, they could face financial, civil or criminal penalties. This is why understanding SMSF taxes and getting the details right is so important.  Since SMSFs usually have more than one member, the chance of not following the rules increases. You might be doing the right thing, but can you say the same about the other trustees? You should never take th ..read more

For many property investors, their SMSF investment properties have become an integral part of their investment strategy. They can take advantage of the existing tax structure with self-managed superannuation funds, making it easier to borrow money and purchase a property asset they can put up for rent. If you’re planning to do the same, you will have to meet various criteria to be considered for SMSF home loans. You also need to be aware of some limitations. For instance, renting an SMSF property to family members can be a legal minefield. So read on to find out the legal implications and whe ..read more

Divorce is a complex process, both emotionally and financially. When splitting up assets, one question often arises: whether an ex-spouse can claim the money in a superannuation fund. In Australia, the answer is likely to be yes, but some crucial factors are to consider. So, if you’re going through a divorce and are wondering about your superannuation, keep reading. We’ll explain everything you need to know.  What Is a Superannuation? The superannuation, often referred to as “super,” is a pool of funds set aside by individuals to prepare for retirement. This money is usually invested in ..read more

If you have chosen an SMSF investment property, you need to keep up to date with the rules regarding whether you can live in your SMSF property after retirement.  Real estate is often the easiest route for Self-Managed Superannuation Fund (SMSF) investments. After all, it’s generally easier to understand than other types of investments. So knowing where you stand regarding living in your SMSF property once you retire will help you plan more effectively for the future. Can I Live in My SMSF Property When I Retire? The answer is yes, but also no.  When you retire, you have two options ..read more

What makes for a good SMSF investment strategy? Well, there’s no single answer to this. When it comes to your SMSF (self-managed superannuation fund), your strategy should be aligned with your retirement goals. So how should you manage yours? Consider the following five points.  Preparing the Strategy As with any investment decision, it’s important to consider the risks and whether they are balanced against the potential returns. While there are no guarantees about what will happen in the future, looking at the past and analysing trends enable us to see what returns certain types of SMSF ..read more

When you’re investing for retirement, it’s more than likely that you’re thinking long-term, so investing in a brand new asset within your SMSF is no doubt a great strategy that can offer fewer headaches but higher rental yields. But can SMSF buy house and land packages? Will such properties help take your SMSF’s investment portfolio to another level? This quick guide aims to answer that question, so read on to discover more.  So, Can SMSF Buy House and Land Packages? In short, yes. You can use an SMSF to borrow the money you need to invest in a house and land package. But here’s the th ..read more

When it comes to property investment, there are a few different ways you can go about it. You could buy a property outright with your savings or acquire it through a self-managed superannuation fund (SMSF). If you’re thinking of investing in property through your SMSF, one factor you may be considering is whether joint ownership is an option. In this blog post, we’ll answer this question: can an SMSF own part of a property? What Is an SMSF?  But first, let’s talk about SMSF. An SMSF, or self-managed superannuation fund, is a type of superannuation (retirement) fund that allows its membe ..read more

Buying SMSF investment properties costs a lot of money and involves complicated legal steps. No wonder you get different pieces of advice for this move. But it can be hard to sort through all the noise and know that you are buying the right property in the right place at the right price that will give you a good return in the future and also meet your SMSF Trustee obligations. Fortunately, you can learn from the mistakes of others. If you’re a trustee or owner of an SMSF investing in property, here are some mistakes to avoid.  Mistake #1: Failing to understand the LRBA rules The SMSF pr ..read more

It’s a topic most of us would rather not think about, but it’s important to know what would happen to your superannuation funds if you were to die before retirement. So if you’ve asked yourself, ‘what happens to my super if I die before retirement?’ you’ve come to the right place. In this post, we’ll take a look at what happens to your super when you pass and how you can ensure your loved ones are taken care of financially. What Happens to Your Super? Upon your death, the rules regarding your superannuation will depend on a few factors. These include your age, relationship status and whether ..read more