Setting up an SMSF is a major financial decision and you need time and financial skills to manage it. If you set up a SMSF you become a trustee of the fund. This means you’ll be responsible for managing your SMSF according to its trust deed and the laws and rules that apply to SMSF’s. The key principle is that you run your SMSF for the sole purpose of providing retirement benefits to fund members. Your investments must be separate from the personal and business affairs of fund members, including yourself.

Investing in your future

Superannuation, or super is a way to save money for your future. It is important to understand how much super you’ll need, and how best to manage the money for your retirement. Through super, you can hold a wide range of investments such as shares, property and cash.

Superannuation is attractive because it receives favourable tax treatment, both when you are working and once you are retired. Employers must pay superannuation contributions on behalf of their employees and you can also chooseto add money into superannuation out of your own pocket.

Why do it?

Superannuation is likely to become your 2nd biggest financial asset which help funds your retirement. As a guide, a “reasonably comfortable” lifestyle for a couple will require around $60,000 a year.

The Tax benefits include:

• Contributions made to super mat attract a tax deduction of tax offset.
• Investment earnings are taxed at a maximum of 15%, rather than you original tax rate of up to 46.5%. Capital Gains are taxed at a maximum rate of 15%
• Your super benefit can be paid as a tax-free pension or lump sum when you reach 60 and satisfy the criteria to access your funds

How much Superannuation will you need?

The amount of money you will need in retirement varies from person to person, and depends on:

• The kind of lifestyle you want.
• Other income options in retirement (such as part-time work or payments from other investments that will supplement your super).
• The age at which you would like to retire.

When to contribute? The sooner, the better.

If you were to contribute just $25 a week into your super (after tax) for the next 30 years, your super assets could end up $66,000* better off at retirement than someone who relies solely on their employer’s min contributions. That’s more than enough to cover a year’s worth of retirement income.