In this episode of the SMSF Adviser Show, hosts Keith Ford and Aaron Dunn are joined by Tim Miller, SMSF technical and education manager at Smarter SMSF, to break down an early Christmas present for the SMSF sector – the introduction of regulations on legacy retirement product commutations and reserves.

Miller explains why there was a need for these regulations to be put in place and who is set to benefit from legacy pension changes, the important dates for the measures, and considerations for both SMSF members and their advisers when deciding if exiting a pension is the right decision.

The podcast also takes a look back on a big year for SMSF professionals. Even though the Division 296 changes never got across the line, there were changes to the stage 3 tax cuts, the objective of super was legislated, and the government raised the ire of accountants with some ill-advised changes to the code of professional conduct for tax practitioners – and much more.

Listen as they discuss:

• How the SMSF sector was impacted by the biggest events of 2024.
• The key areas covered on the SMSF Adviser Show over the year that was.
• Why a number of these important issues are going to still be on the agenda in 2025.

Following a whirlwind of legislative activity in the last few days of the parliamentary sitting calendar for the year, the Senate passed a number of bills via a guillotine motion.

Although the controversial Division 296 tax was not among them after a last-minute reprieve, several other bills were passed that will ultimately affect the SMSF sector.

In this final episode of the SMSF Adviser Podcast for 2024, hosts Keith Ford and Aaron Dunn, CEO of Smarter SMSF, discuss the implications of these measures.

Listen as they discuss:

• The perseverance and success of the campaign by the SMSF Association regarding the Division 296 tax.
• The objective of super bill and how it may influence future policy decisions.
• The collapse of wealth management companies, particularly Dixon Advisory, and its impact on the Compensation Scheme of Last Resort.
• The ATO’s updated advice on long-running NALI regulations.

In a rapidly evolving financial landscape, cryptocurrency continues to carve out its niche, particularly within the realm of SMSFs.

In this SMSF Adviser podcast, host Keith Ford speaks with Simon Ho, the COO and head of SMSF at CoinStash, about how SMSFs can safely utilise cryptocurrencies as part of their investment portfolio.

In this episode, they discuss:

• The difference between an investor and a trader and differing tax treatments.
• The importance of clear reporting and compliance.
• Methods for gaining exposure to crypto assets.
• Strategies to contend with market volatility.

In this episode of the SMSF Adviser Show, host Keith Ford is joined by Andrew McVeigh, managing partner at Remara, to discuss the changes within investment markets that SMSF professionals and investors should keep an eye on.

McVeigh explains that Remara has seen the appetite for credit starting to slow, which he said the RBA would consider as it starts to look at potentially cutting rates, while equity markets have been volatile, leading to some good opportunities, some bad opportunities, and a lot of sideways movement.

Listen as they discuss:

• The launch of the Remara Opportunistic Development Fund.
• Limitations on how SMSFs can invest in different asset classes.
• Navigating the complexities of the current market and utilising funds to reduce risk.

In this special episode of the SMSF Adviser Show, hosts Keith Ford and Aaron Dunn are joined by a pair of experts on the floor of the SMSF Adviser Technical Strategy Day to provide insight into some of the complex topics facing SMSF professionals.

Daniel Butler, director at DBA Lawyers, joins to discuss the changes to non-arm's length income and expense (NALI/E) rules, why there is still so much confusion, and the need to understand the grey area.

Tim Miller, SMSF technical and education manager at Smarter SMSF, also joins the show to break down the importance of understanding the nuances of different contribution strategies and explain how his contributions matrix can help make things easier.

In this episode of the SMSF Adviser Show, hosts Keith Ford and Aaron Dunn are joined by Julie Steed, senior technical services manager at MLC Tech Connect, to discuss how advisers can refer to the retirement income covenant to help their SMSF clients. As the RIC approaches its second year and new guidance is added, it is becoming clear how well-prepared many SMSFs are in regard to retirement products, but there is still more to be done.

In this podcast the speakers discuss:

• How advisers can assist clients with their retirement income calculations
• Understanding retirement products
• Tax implications for SMSFs in retirement streams
• Incapacity and death and trustee structure in an SMSF

In this episode of the SMSF Adviser Show, hosts Keith Ford and Aaron Dunn are joined by Tim Steele, general manager at Class, to dig down on the information that came out of the annual Class Annual Benchmark Report.

The report is an annual snapshot from a macro standpoint of how the SMSF sector is developing, using data from the Class Super platform, which is representative of the broader Australian SMSF market. This year’s report highlights several trends that are likely to influence the future of the sector.

Listen as they discuss:

• The continued growth of the sector and its projections
• The unmet advice needs of SMSF members
• How the proposed Div 296 may impact funds
• Transition to retirement strategies and their impacts

• How clients are trying to preserve as much of their SMSF assets to pass on to their children.
• The impact that the $3 million super tax will play in designing strategies.
• Why CGT should be top of mind for small-business owners well before they enter retirement.