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Categories | Succession planning

What is a reversionary pension?

What is a reversionary pension?

There is a little known rule that can have huge implications for SMSFs, particularly when it comes to reversionary pensions. This article provides the crucial ‘must know’ details. What is a ‘reversionary pension’? The ATO describes a reversionary pension as follows, without actually using the term ‘reversionary’ (Taxation Ruling TR 2013/5 [29]): A superannuation income [read more]

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What type of dishonesty disqualifies a person from having an SMSF?

Introduction This article examines the nature of disqualification and what convictions can preclude a person from forever being an SMSF trustee/director. Given the serious consequences of disqualification, it is important to consider the circumstances in which a person may have been automatically, and even unknowingly, disqualified. SMSF members should also consider their children as a [read more]

What limits SMSF advisers should be aware of when providing advice

What limits SMSF advisers should be aware of when providing advice

Overview This articles examine what advice SMSF advisers can and cannot provide without ‘stepping over the line’ especially in providing taxation, financial product or legal advice which they may not be permitted to provide. For example, an adviser providing legal advice or services (eg, preparing an SMSF deed update, binding death benefit nomination (‘BDBN’) or [read more]

Reversionary pensions v. BBDNs: advisers’ risks

Reversionary pensions v. BBDNs: advisers’ risks

By Bryce Figot, Special Counsel ([email protected]), and Daniel Butler, Director ([email protected]), DBA Lawyers Introduction There has been a number of commentators suggesting that if a pension reversion nomination conflicts with a binding death benefit nomination (‘BDBN’), the pension reversion nomination prevails. While we acknowledge the answer is not necessarily black and white; as it depends [read more]

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SMSF Succession Planning Day (Face-To-Face)

On Wednesday 20 November 2019 DBA Network is holding a special, once-off SMSF Succession Planning Day (face-to-face). It will provide a practical, step-by-step guide on how to ensure that a member’s SMSF benefits are appropriately dealt with upon their incapacity or death. It is designed for financial planners, accountants, auditors, SMSF administrators and lawyers who want [read more]

Reversionary pension v BDBN: which one wins?

Reversionary pension v BDBN: which one wins?

By Bryce Figot, Special Counsel, DBA Lawyers and Daniel Butler, Director There is a misconception that reversionary pension documentation will always apply before a binding death benefit nomination. If the SMSF deed is silent on the question, it can be entirely possible at times that the binding death benefit nomination (‘BDBN’) will apply before any [read more]

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Reversionary pension vs BDBN: which outcome is preferred?

Daniel Butler ([email protected]), Director and Bryce Figot ([email protected]), Special Counsel, DBA Lawyers Imagine a conflict between pension documentation and a binding death benefit nomination (‘BDBN’) in a self managed superannuation fund (‘SMSF’) context. For example, the pension documentation states that the pension is reversionary to the surviving spouse; however, the BDBN states that the death benefits [read more]

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DBA Lawyers’ SMSF governing rules

Daniel Butler ([email protected]), Director, DBA Lawyers  Not only does DBA Lawyers have the best SMSF governing rules and related SMSF documents available, we offer many value added benefits that are not available elsewhere. Recent changes to DBA Lawyers’ SMSF governing rules The new and improved version of the DBA Lawyers’ SMSF governing rules come with [read more]

Can-a-surviving-spouse-claim-their-deceased-spouses-super-when-they-are-also-the-executor-of-their-estate

Can a surviving spouse claim their deceased spouse’s super when they are also the executor of their estate?

Shaun Backhaus), Lawyer ([email protected]) and Daniel Butler, Director ([email protected]), DBA Lawyers  The recent case of Gonciarz v Bienias [2019] WASC 104 (‘Gonciarz’) continues a line of cases that consider the conflict that arises where a person acts as executor or administrator of a deceased estate while also applying to receive superannuation death benefits in their [read more]

The trustee–member rules explained: Part 2

By William Fettes ([email protected]), Senior Associate, DBA Lawyers The trustee–member rules set out in s 17A of the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993 (Cth)(‘SISA’) must be satisfied on an ongoing basis by each self managed superannuation fund (‘SMSF’). Indeed, it is critical that advisers and SMSF trustees are mindful of these rules to ensure the [read more]