The SMSF Adviser Show

In this episode of the SMSF Adviser Show, hosts Keith Ford and Aaron Dunn are joined by Peter Johnson, director of Advisers Digest, to give a sneak peek at his upcoming session at the SMSF Adviser Technical Strategy Day and why it’s vital to understand the evolving needs of older clients.   Johnson explains some of the opportunities that are available for older clients as the intersection between contributions and pensions grows and how to deal with uncertainty through careful forward planning. Listen as they discuss:

• How clients are trying to preserve as much of their SMSF assets to pass on to their children.
• The impact that the $3 million super tax will play in designing strategies.
• Why CGT should be top of mind for small-business owners well before they enter retirement.

In this episode of the SMSF Adviser Show, hosts Keith Ford and Aaron Dunn are joined by Matthew Burgess, director of View Legal, to take a look at some of the estate planning considerations that SMSF professionals need to keep top of mind.   Burgess explains why the outcomes of a number of recent court cases hold valuable information for everyone in the SMSF sector, as well as highlighting the importance of professionals ensuring they work together to reach the best outcome for their clients.

Listen as they discuss:

• Why a project manager role is vital when professionals collaborate on a client’s estate planning.
• What SMSF advisers can learn from the mistakes of others.
• How taking a holistic approach can help avoid pitfalls in the estate planning process.

In this special episode of the SMSF Adviser Show, hosts Keith Ford and Aaron Dunn celebrate the 100th episode of the podcast with a discussion of how the sector has changed over the last four years. SMSF Association CEO Peter Burgess also joins the show to break down the current state of the $3 million super tax bill and why the growing support for amendments to the legislation is a positive sign that the controversial elements, such as taxation of unrealised gains and the lack of indexation, might be fixed. Listen as they discuss:

• What the SMSF Association wants to see happen with Div 296 and why the current delays could be a good thing.
• How SMSF professionals can deal with the uncertainty that currently pervades the regulatory landscape.
• Whether there could be changes to the recent code of conduct for tax practitioners determination.

In this episode of the SMSF Adviser Show, hosts Keith Ford and Aaron Dunn are joined by Chris Hill, co-founder – legal at Inherit Australia, to dive into all of the issues and challenges that can arise when an enduring power of attorney and an SMSF collide.

Hill explains why SMSF professionals need to have discussions with their clients around incapacity and estate planning so they aren’t caught out when the time comes, particularly when they may not be aware that power of attorney can also come with SMSF trustee responsibilities.

Listen as they discuss:

• The role of an enduring power of attorney in the context of the definition of a SMSF.
• Why setting up a trusted professional as a “fund guardian” is an important consideration.
• How the two roles can work together in the member’s best interests.

In this episode of the SMSF Adviser Show, hosts Keith Ford and Aaron Dunn are joined by Craig Day, head of technical services at Colonial First State, to discuss the nuances surrounding invalidity for SMSF trustees and members.

Day breaks down some of the positives and negatives of holding TPD insurance within an SMSF and explains what advisers who may be recommending their clients go down this path need to understand.

 

Listen as they discuss: • The most pressing considerations around invalidity and SMSFs. • Why it is important to understand the compliance rules related to SMSFs and insurance. • The role of beneficiaries in the context of recent legal challenges relating to spouses and de facto relationships.

In this special budget episode, hosts Keith Ford and Aaron Dunn discuss the flurry of activity happening on the regulatory front – and the noticeable absence of the $3 million super tax from the final two sitting weeks of Parliament.

They discuss what has led to the debate over Division 296 being delayed, including the government’s increasingly precarious position in the Senate, as well as some of the recent changes that will have a more tangible impact in the short term, such as the ATO’s update to its tax ruling on pensions commencing and ceasing.

Listen as they discuss:

• The Senate’s recent report on ASIC and its recommendation to overhaul the way the industry funding model operates.
• How TR 2013/5 will operate and what SMSFs need to know.
• The changes to NALI and the impact it will have on SMSF members.

In this episode of the SMSF Adviser Show, Adrian Fisher, head of distribution and product at RedZed, joins host Maja Garaca Djurdjevic to discuss why the self-employed lender has launched a new offering for SMSFs.

Fisher explains that SMSFs are a natural fit for small business owners, but they often run into hurdles, with infrequent super contributions scaring off traditional lenders and making it difficult to secure a loan at all, particularly when it comes to property investments.

Listen as they discuss:

• Why investing in property through an SMSF can be difficult for the self-employed.
• The importance of assessing each borrower on their unique circumstances.
• Filling the gap left by traditional lenders exiting the space.

In this episode of the SMSF Adviser Show, host Keith Ford is joined by Tracey Scotchbrook, head of policy and advocacy at the SMSF Association, to discuss the intricacies surrounding possible changes to the wholesale investor tests.

Scotchbrook explains the background to the current inquiry into the wholesale thresholds, including how SMSFs find themselves in a grey area between the standard $2.5 million threshold and the $10 million professional investor level, as well as why accountant’s certificates are no longer fit for purpose.

Listen as they discuss:

• How the stagnating levels have dramatically increased the number of Australians that meet the requirements.
• The complex regulatory framework surrounding financial services.
• Concerns around the disparity in regulatory costs between wholesale and retail advisers.

In this episode of the SMSF Adviser Show, hosts Keith Ford and Aaron Dunn are joined by Tim Miller, SMSF technical and education manager at Smarter SMSF, to discuss some of the contribution considerations advisers need to keep in mind ahead of 30 June.

Miller explains the concept of a ‘contributions matrix’ and how it can help SMSF members consider the future distribution of their superannuation funds, particularly in the context of blended families and estate planning.

Listen as they discuss:

• How to deal with benefit payments before the end of the financial year.
• The considerations around different fund assets from a tax perspective.
• What advisers need to be talking to their SMSF clients about.

In this special budget episode, hosts Keith Ford, Maja Garaca Djurdjevic, and Aaron Dunn discuss the outlook for financial advice and SMSFs on the back of a budget that revealed little in terms of detail for either sector. They also take a look at some of the measures that were included, as well as why some high-profile topics were left out completely, such as the $3 million super tax being conspicuously absent.

Listen as they discuss:

• The need for more structural change within the taxation system to provide a meaningful impact.
• Why the headline-grabbing inflation predictions could be little more than a mirage.
• The missed opportunities to make a difference for advisers and clients.