What is Self Managed Superannuation?

 

Self Managed Superannuation (also known as DIY Superannuation) is the fastest growing sector within the finance industry. As at June 2011 there was more than $418 Billion held in self managed superannuation across approximately 7,500 superannuation funds. This represents approximately 1/3 of the funds invested across the $1.3 trillion superannuation industry.

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The main reason for this growth is that people ultimately want more investment options which retail superannuation options can't provide. Setting up a Self Managed Super Fund (SMSF) allows you to take control of your super and where it is invested.

Self managed super, like other superannuation (super) funds, is simply a way of saving for your retirement. The difference between an SMSF and other super funds is generally that members of an SMSF are the trustees and the trustees have to be members. This means the members of the fund ultimately run it for their own benefit.

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Self managed superannuation is typically suited for clients who have sufficient assets inside their superannuation account. To establish an ‘SMSF’ it is preferable to have investable assets equal to $200,000 or more across all fund members. (A maximum of 4 members is allowed within an SMSF). This potentially means that a couple can establish a self managed superannuation fund with 2 other family members allowing them to combine their super gaining greater purchasing power.

With a well structured self managed super fund (SMSF) you can take control of your super while gaining access to direct investment such as shares, direct property, currencies, commodities and personalised structured investments. And since the 24th of September, 2007 a self managed superannuation fund (if structured correctly) can secure mortgages which allow you to buy property which you otherwise couldn’t afford.