The High Court of Australia has settled the debate on how long an SMSF BDBN can last for. Implicitly this judgement also provides support in answering other critical SMSF succession planning questions, such as: Can a BDBN make a pension reversion mid-stream? Can a BDBN override pension documentation? Do you actually want a BDBN to [read more]
DBA Lawyers latest SMSF governing rules and related documents include many value-added features. This article briefly explains why our SMSF documents are the best available. Recent changes to DBA Lawyers’ SMSF governing rules Our latest DBA Lawyers’ SMSF governing rules (version 2022-23) comes with the following upgrades: express exclusion of reg 6.17A given the High [read more]
On Monday 4 April 2022 the Government made new laws impacting pensions (see the Treasury Laws Amendment (Allowing Commutation of Certain Income Streams) Regulations 2022 (Cth)). Those in particular with legacy pensions should pay close attention! Over 200 years ago, on 7 March 1795, English newspaper The Hull Advertiser announced that ‘[t]he licence to wear hair [read more]
New laws provide a strategic opportunity for exiting certain legacy pensions. We will cover this opportunity in great detail in a webinar to be held at 12 noon (AEST) Thursday 28 April 2022. Those who can’t attend can watch a recorded version. To register visit https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3108445138265877264 In this article we detail the preliminary ‘ins and [read more]
On 10 February 2022, the Federal Parliament passed Treasury Laws Amendment (Enhancing Superannuation Outcomes For Australians and Helping Australian Businesses Invest) Bill 2021 (Bill) which contains an important measure impacting how SMSFs can claim exempt current pension income (ECPI). In broad terms, the ECPI changes in the Bill improve the ability of fund trustees to [read more]
DBA Lawyers latest SMSF governing rules and related documents includes many value-added features. This article briefly explains why our SMSF documents are the best available. Recent changes to DBA Lawyers’ SMSF governing rules Our latest DBA Lawyers’ SMSF governing rules (version 2021-22) comes with the following upgrades: expanded Trustee investment powers in respect of any [read more]
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]
