Unpacking the data – what’s happening in the SMSF sector from a statistical standpoint
Release Date: 09/25/2024
The Div 296 battle continues
The SMSF Adviser Show
With Labor winning the election with a clear majority, the SMSF sector is now once again poised for battle over the controversial Division 296 tax. In this episode of the SMSF Adviser podcast, hosts Keith Ford and Aaron Dunn sit down with SMSF Association CEO Peter Burgess to talk about the implications of the election results, what it may mean going forward, and the association’s plans to convince the elected politicians on the adverse outcomes of the tax. The podcast will also delve into the latest draft DBFO legislation and how the proposed changes may affect advisers specialising in...
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Election countdown
The SMSF Adviser Show
In this episode of the SMSF Adviser podcast, hosts Keith Ford and Aaron Dunn discuss the issues that may affect super and the policy positions of the two major parties. Tax reform has been the elephant in the room during the federal election campaign, but there has been some mention of the Division 296 tax by the opposition, which has also made commitments regarding advice reforms and adviser numbers. This podcast covers some of the big-ticket items concerning the advice and super sectors, including: Bargaining by the Greens to reduce the super tax threshold to $2 million and its impact on...
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Unpacking the Bendel decision
The SMSF Adviser Show
In this edition of the SMSF Adviser podcast, hosts Keith Ford and Aaron Dunn are joined by legal specialist Phil Broderick, principal at Sladen Legal, to discuss the implications of the Bendel court decision – a landmark ruling with potentially far-reaching consequences for SMSFs and private trusts. This ruling has profound implications for the use of discretionary trusts and corporate beneficiaries, potentially allowing distributions to remain unpaid without triggering Division 7A consequences. The podcast delves into the significance of the case, drawing parallels to pivotal decisions like...
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Budget 2025: The implications for the SMSF sector
The SMSF Adviser Show
In this special post-budget episode of the SMSF Adviser podcast, hosts Keith Ford and Aaron Dunn navigate a complex web of budgetary and political issues. Although it was a budget with nothing much in it for the SMSF sector, it was what wasn’t included that may have dramatic implications for the sector moving forward. With the departure of Financial Services Minister Stephen Jones, the sector faces uncertainty over future leadership and policy direction, while the emergence of the Teal independents and the potential for a minority government add layers of complexity to an already...
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Overcoming challenges in auditing compliance
The SMSF Adviser Show
With auditing season in full swing and the ATO increasing its scrutiny of the sector, this week’s SMSF Adviser podcast focuses on the challenges auditors may face regarding compliance. Hosts Keith Ford and Aaron Dunn are joined by legal specialist Bryce Figot from DBA Lawyers, one of the sector’s leading experts in the intricacies of SMSF auditing, to discuss what’s involved in managing the myriad regulatory obligations SMSF auditors now face. Figot touches on, among other things, the Tax Office’s renewed focus on auditor compliance for 2025 – especially in maintaining professional...
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Part 2: Highlights from the SMSF Association National Conference 2025
The SMSF Adviser Show
In this special two-part episode of the SMSF Adviser Show, hosts Keith Ford and Aaron Dunn are joined by a selection of prominent industry members at the SMSF Association National Conference. In part two, Tracey Scotchbrook, head of policy and advocacy at the SMSF Association, joins to break down the major regulatory issues impacting the sector, including the ongoing confusion around how to apply wholesale investor thresholds for SMSFs. Ben Marshan, director at Marshan Consulting, also joins the show to talk about the importance of financial advisers staying ahead of regulatory shifts to...
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Part 1: Highlights from the SMSF Association National Conference 2025
The SMSF Adviser Show
In this special two-part episode of the SMSF Adviser Show, hosts Keith Ford and Aaron Dunn are joined by a selection of prominent industry members at the SMSF Association National Conference in Melbourne. In part one, SMSF Association chief executive Peter Burgess and Class CEO Tim Steele join the show to talk about the thought leadership breakfast on the first day of the conference, the growth of the SMSF sector, and the major issues impacting professionals. Phil Broderick, principal at Sladen Legal, also joins the show to break down the considerations when advising clients on which type of...
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From politics to property: The first few weeks of 2025
The SMSF Adviser Show
It’s already been a hectic first few weeks of the year in the SMSF sector with legislative changes and political manoeuvring. In this week’s SMSF Adviser Show, hosts Keith Ford and Aaron Dunn delve into what has happened and what may transpire in the coming months. They’re joined by Daniel Butler, director of DBA Lawyers, to talk about the complexities of investing in rental properties within SMSFs, the considerations advisers need to keep in mind, and the impact of various state taxes on property investment. With a burgeoning interest in property as a significant asset class within...
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How digital advice can benefit the SMSF sector and Australia’s growing appetite for financial guidance
The SMSF Adviser Show
There has been significant movement in the digital advice space over the past decade. As the industry accelerates its efforts to address the undersupply of financial advice, digital solutions are essential to meet the demands of Australia’s 12.9 million financial advice beneficiaries. In this episode of the SMSF Adviser podcast, host Keith Ford talks to David Barrett, an independent consultant with a wealth of experience in the industry, to delve into the evolving landscape of digital advice for SMSFs. Barrett highlights a recent partnership between a digital advice provider and a major...
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Litigation, legislation and retirement: What to expect from 2025
The SMSF Adviser Show
In the first episode of the SMSF Adviser Show for 2025, hosts Keith Ford and Aaron Dunn take a look at the hot topics that will impact the SMSF space in the new year. The pair discuss the upcoming federal election, which is set to dominate the outlook for the first half of the year, as a range of measures related to SMSF advice hang in the balance and are unlikely to be decided until the polls are closed. Listen as they discuss: Why litigation over estate benefits is expected to continue to grow. How a strong focus on retirement outcomes will take centrestage in 2025. The possibility of...
info_outlineIn 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