Helpful Resources

In the Press

We are frequently quoted in the financial press as experts on SMSFs. Click the PDF icon to view some of the topical press articles to which we have contributed.

Cooper Review

Meg Heffron was one of seven panellists on the Federal Government’s Review into the Governance, Efficiency, Structure, Operation of Australia’s Superannuation System (the “Cooper Review”).

The Cooper Review final report was delivered to the Minister in late June and we now await his recommendations. For further information on the Cooper Review please go to:http://www.supersystemreview.gov.au/.  

Click on the links below to listen to Meg Heffron discussing the final Cooper Review Report. 

  Interview with Phil Dobbie on BTalk 6/7/2010

  Interview with Carol Duncan on ABC Afternoons 6/7/2010

Behind the Scenes - Asset Magazine - 1/09/2010

Meg Heffron served on the Cooper review panel. She tells there were a lot of good discussions and plenty of agreement despite participants coming from different backgrounds.

 Click here to download article 

It takes a crowd to run a super fund - Australian Financial Review - 1/09/2010

Few people can run a DIY super fund by themselves.  The rest of us require the help of professionals."Martin Heffron, from DIY fund administrator Heffron, argues a serious examination of issues such as how a fund might be run and how much it might cost should be part of the fund establishment process..."

  Click here to download article

Future holding collectibles in SMSF's - Labor Party Announcement - 30/07/2010

Post the Final Cooper Review report, we have attached the latest announcement from the Labor Party (30/07/2010) in respect of the future holding collectibles (including artwork) in SMSFs.   Click here to download article

Assigning pension payments? - Weekend Australian Financial Review 14-15/08/2010

To whom can trustees of a SMSF assign their pension benefits? 

"Ben Smythe, from super administrator Heffron, says pension payments cannot be assigned to another person while the original pension beneficiary is alive..."

  Click here to download article

Pension Can Keep on Giving - Australian Financial Review 26/06/2010

If a SMSF is paying an account-based pension it is important to ensure that the minimum pension has been paid each year. 

"Meg Heffron, from super administrator Heffron, says one question regularly asked about account-based pension minimums is what happens if a member receiving a pension dies..."

  Click here to download article

Why SMSF? - Sydney Morning Herald Money 2/06/10

As the super industry matures and the average balance grows, more people are opting out of large one-size-fits-all funds to chart a financial course of their own via a SMSF.

"Meg Heffron, principal of SMSF administrators Heffron, says people who run their own fund most often say the benefits of doing so are control, flexibility and cost once you have a certain level of assets..."

  Click here to download article 

SMSF Members should consider Lump Sums - SPAA Investor Daily 1/06/10

Electing to take income as a lump sum can have benefits for some SMSF members.

"Meg Heffron, principal of SMSF administrators Heffron, says SMSF members between the ages of 55 and 60 should not ignore the merits of taking lump sum payments as an income stream, according to Heffron principal Meg Heffron..."

  Click here to download article 

SMSF fraud measures increasing rollover red tape - IFA 24-30/05/10

Increased compliance requirements are faced by financial advisers and individuals trying to arrange rollovers.

"Meg Heffron, principal of SMSF administrators Heffron, says asking for more documentation before a rollover is approved is adding to the burden and further slowing down the rollover process, with some of the requests questionable..."

  Click here to download article

Dealing with pension payments from transition to retirement pensions - Weekend Financial Review 27/03/10

The flexibility surrounding the maximum pension payment allowed under a transition to retirement pension does require further consideration.

"Meg Heffron, principal of SMSF administrators Heffron, says this question highlights the way the law that allows maximum pensions to be paid from transition to retirement pensions is interpreted..."

  Click here to download article 

Rules may change but plan anyway - Weekend Financial Review 20/03/10

Australians are going through yet another period when there is speculation about possible changes by government to superannuation.

"Meg Heffron, principal of SMSF administrators Heffron, says the only thing people planning their retirement can do is apply the current rules..."

  Click here to download article

Make your super fund work harder - Weekend Financial Review 20/02/10

SMSF investors have to take active measures to get the most out of their funds.

"Martin Heffron, principal of SMSF administrators Heffron, cautions anyone who is advised to invest large sums at once should check whether this advice comes from someone who won't be remunerated until the money is invested..."

  Click here to download article

SMSF defined benefit pensions under the Microscope - Money Management 11/02/10

The Heffron technical team take a look at the current state of play for defined benefit pensions and the social security asset test exemption rules and how they affect SMSF members.

"Defined benefit pensions are a thing of the past for many SMSF retirees.  The new superannuation rules introduced from July 1, 2007 prompted many to convert their lifetime, life expectancy or fixed term income streams to alternatives, such as market-linked pensions or - where permitted - account-based pensions..."

  Click here to download article  

Dealing with the ATO as a SMSF trustee - Financial Review 3/02/10

The ATO is unlikely to be as forgiving of a SMSF trustee's compliance errors.

"Meg Heffron, principal of SMSF administrators Heffron, discusses the major challenges for SMSF's complying with the plethora of regulations that govern them..."

  Click here to download article

Push to ease up on penalty taxes - Weekend Financial Review 30/01/10

This article by Meg Heffron discusses the effects of government contribution rules and Meg's call to put less focus on penalty rates, thereby allowing more contributors to escape penalties. 

"Meg Heffron, principal of SMSF administrators Heffron, discusses how the punishment of penalty taxes can often be out of proportion with the 'crime' of exceeding limits."

  Click here to download article