On 21 May 2021, Treasury released exposure draft legislation to implement previously announced measures in the May 2019 Federal Budget to streamline how superannuation funds claim exempt current pension income (ECPI) in respect of pensions. This article examines the proposed changes in the draft legislation using case studies to illustrate how ECPI would be claimed. [read more]
The 2021–22 Federal Budget (released on 11 May 2021) announced changes for some — but not all — legacy pensions. In this article, we examine the strategic implications, remaining questions and what advisers should do for clients with certain legacy pensions. Background — pre 2007 Originally SMSFs were able to commence paying members ‘defined benefit pensions’. [read more]
Introduction The proportioning rule is used to calculate the tax free and taxable components of a superannuation benefit. Having a sound understanding of this rule is key to many super strategies. Overview –– proportioning rule The proportioning rule provides that the tax free and taxable components of a superannuation benefit are taken to be paid [read more]
Overview This article focuses on managing a member’s transfer balance cap (‘TBC’) with a view to minimising excess transfer balance tax (‘ETB Tax’). We provide a brief background to assist members and SMSF trustees to better monitor transfer balance caps (‘TBC’) so they can avoid or minimise ETB Tax. This article covers account-style pensions such [read more]
SMSFs paying market linked pensions (‘MLPs’) should carefully review the potential impact of recent changes to the transfer balance cap (‘TBC’) rules where an MLP that commenced prior to 1 July 2017 was commuted or restructured on or after that date. The Treasury Laws Amendment (2019 Measures No. 3) Act 2019 (Cth) received royal assent [read more]
Many SMSF advisers approach capital gains tax (‘CGT’) questions that arise for SMSFs with a simple rule of thumb in mind: namely, capital gains made by a fund in connection with a CGT event happening are subject to an effective 10% rate of tax (ie, where the asset has been held for more than 12 [read more]
Click here to provide your instructions For many Australians, SMSF investments are a key component of their retirement savings and wealth creation strategies. For example, the ATO confirmed there were more than 600,000 SMSFs with an average value of more than $1.27 million for the quarter ended 30 September 2019. Unfortunately, many do not plan [read more]
Background The Australian Government’s coronavirus economic stimulus package includes several options for individuals to obtain access to money in the short-term if they are financially impacted by coronavirus. One option is to allow a member to access up to $20,000 of their superannuation benefits before ‘retirement’ or attaining age 65. In these uncertain times that [read more]
Minimum pension payments for the current financial year (ie, FY2020) and next financial year (FY2021) have been halved. This measure addresses concerns of the current market volatility and aims to provide SMSF trustees with discretion and flexibility to better manage their cash flows and retain assets that may have substantially decreased in value in recent [read more]
In recent months, we have seen a significant increase in succession planning queries and assignments where we have been asked to provide advice and/or documents, including binding death benefit nominations (‘BDBNs’), reversionary pensions, planning for control of an SMSF and implementing timely member exit strategies for those who may be left with a limited time [read more]
