How to Open a Self Managed Super Fund in Australia
Self-managed super funds (SMSF)
Understand if an SMSF is right for you
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A self-managed super fund (SMSF) is a private super fund that you manage yourself. SMSFs are different to industry and retail super funds.
When you manage your own super, you put the money you would normally put in a retail or industry super fund into your own SMSF. You choose the investments and the insurance.
Your SMSF can have no more than six members. Most SMSFs have two or more. As a member, you are a trustee of the fund — or you can get a corporate trustee. In either case, you are responsible for the fund.
While having control over your own super can be appealing, it's a lot of work and comes with risk.
Only set up your own super fund if you're 100% committed and understand what's involved.
The risks and responsibilities of SMSFs
All members of an SMSF are responsible for the fund's decisions and for complying with the law.
These responsibilities come with risks:
- You are personally liable for all the fund's decisions — even if you get help from a professional, or if another member made the decision.
- Your investments may not bring the returns you expect.
- You are responsible for managing the fund even if your circumstances change — for example, if you lose your job.
- There may be a negative impact on your SMSF if there is a relationship breakdown between members, or if a member dies or becomes ill.
- If you lose money through theft or fraud, you won't have access to any special compensation schemes or to the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA).
- You could lose insurance if you're moving from an industry or retail super fund to an SMSF. See consolidating super funds.
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) explains your responsibilities.
SMSFs take time and money
Managing an SMSF is a lot of work. Even if you get professional help, it's time-consuming.
You need enough time to set up the fund, and time to manage ongoing activities, such as:
- researching investments
- setting and following an investment strategy
- accounting, keeping records, and arranging an audit each year by an approved SMSF auditor
SMSF trustees spend on average eight hours a month to manage an SMSF. That's more than 100 hours a year. (Source: SMSF Investor Report, April 2019, Investment Trends)
The set-up and running costs can be high. Ongoing costs include:
- investing
- accounting
- auditing
- tax advice
- legal advice
- financial advice
In 2019, the average operating cost of running an SMSF was $6,450. The median cost was $4,069. (Source: Self-managed super funds: a statistical overview 2018–19, Australian Taxation Office, Table 25: Expenses. This includes deductible and non-deductible expenses reported at the following SMSF annual return labels: approved auditor fee, management and administration expenses, other amounts and SMSF supervisory levy. It does not include costs such investment expenses and insurance premiums.)
You need financial and legal knowledge
You need the financial and legal knowledge and skills to:
- understand different investment markets, and build and manage a diversified portfolio
- set and manage an investment strategy that meets your risk-tolerance and retirement needs
- comply with tax, super and investment regulations and laws
- organise insurance for fund members
Be wary of anyone who offers to set up an SMSF to withdraw your super to pay off debts. It's illegal. See superannuation scams.
On average, SMSFs haven't beaten APRA-regulated funds
Historically SMSFs have not performed as well as retail or industry super funds, also known as 'APRA-regulated funds' (APRA is the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority).
APRA-regulated funds use highly skilled professionals to manage their investments. You need to be confident that the investments you choose will perform better.
The table below compares the average returns for SMSFs with APRA-regulated super funds over a five-year period. On average, APRA-regulated super funds achieved higher returns than SMSFs.
Source: Self-managed super funds: a statistical overview 2017–18, Australian Taxation Office
The returns you can expect from your SMSF are determined by your balance. If your balance is more than $500,000 it's possible you may get returns that are competitive with APRA-regulated funds.
If you want to set up an SMSF
If you are 100% sure about managing your own super fund, start researching investment options, and consider getting professional advice.
Research your investment options
Part of the appeal of an SMSF is controlling and having access to a broader range of investments.
However, there are some very strict rules about what you can invest your super in. Check restrictions on investments on the ATO website.
Set up your SMSF
The self-managed super funds section of the ATO website is a great resource. It explains what you need to do to set up your fund and to comply with regulations. All SMSFs are regulated by the ATO.
Because everyone's situation is different, it's always best to get financial advice before you make a decision or any investments. You can get independent advice from a licensed financial adviser.
How to Open a Self Managed Super Fund in Australia
Source: https://moneysmart.gov.au/how-super-works/self-managed-super-funds-smsf