University of Adelaide

While the APRA funds benefited from a surge in overseas equity markets in 2022-23, over the past five years to June 30, 2023, SMSFs have outperformed them, on average, by 1.2 percentage points a year.

Two reports highlight the fact that trustees getting professional advice enjoy better returns due to more diversified portfolios and exposure to overseas markets – particularly the US.

The not-for-profits flourished when their members were in the accumulation phase. It’s a different story now as increasing numbers want a more personalised service as the decumulation phase beckons. If they can’t get it, SMSFs are a tantalising option.

The government’s plan to increase taxes on super balances above $3 million will have a costly impact on the SMSF sector, with thousands of members likely to face liquidity stress, according to new research from the University of Adelaide’s International Centre for Financial Services.

With new data showing offshore share investments comprise just 2 percent of total self-managed superannuation fund assets in Australia, advisers are warning SMSFs against overreliance on domestic shares and cash and urging diversification.

The regulator’s recent removal of a controversial $500,000 minimum-balance guidance for self-managed superannuation funds provides an opportunity to re-engage with lower-balance funds that have been steered away from SMSFs, the SMSF Association says.