SPAA welcomes regulatory scrutiny of SMSFs



The level of regulatory scrutiny being directed towards self-managed superannuation funds (SMSFs) should give trustees greater confidence in the sector, according to SMSF Professional's Association chief executive, Andrea Slattery.
Slattery has pointed to increased surveillance of the sector by both the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) and the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) together with the position adopted by the Government as being positive signs for trustees.
She said the other critical element to assist in building consumer confidence in the sector had been the growth in the SMFS profession and the reality that trustees could access quality advice.
"It is important at a time when the ATO is focusing on SMSFs to ensure they (trustees) comply with the superannuation tax laws and get specialist advice," she said.
"Such advice is particularly pertinent for funds that are in pension phase to ensure that trustees abide by the rules, especially as they relate to the minimum payment," Slattery said.
She said it was important that trustees who are in pension phase complied with the tax and superannuation rules in order to retain the concessional tax treatment that their pensions receive.
Recommended for you
The new financial year has got off to a strong start in adviser gains, helped by new entrants, after heavy losses sustained in June.
Michael McCorry, chief investment officer at BlackRock Australia, has detailed how investors are reconsidering their 60/40 portfolios as macro uncertainty highlight the benefits of liquid alternatives.
Having reset its market focus to high-net-worth advisers, Praemium’s administration solution has been selected by Bell Potter in a deal that increases the platform's funds under administration by $6 billion.
High transition rates from financial advisers have helped Netwealth’s funds under administration rise by $3.7 billion in the fourth quarter of FY25.