So your client has decided to wind up their SMSF? It’s vital for all involved to be aware of the potential traps in the windup process to avoid unnecessary costs and complexity.

There are some situations where an SMSF is no longer suitable or appropriate for its members. However, it is not always possible to immediately wind up the fund.

There are many reasons why individuals choose an SMSF as their primary retirement savings vehicle. However for some, there will come a time when the SMSF is no longer appropriate for them.

Ideally retirement is planned and eagerly anticipated. But these are times of unexpected job losses – how does superannuation access work for those over preservation age now?

Obviously there have been temporary changes to superannuation conditions of release as a result of the pandemic. There have been no changes to the definition of “retirement” but how does this work in a Covid-19 environment?

Meg Heffron answers why it’s not possible for SMSF members to top up their pension balance - even though it has dropped below the $1.6m pension cap - if the cap had been reached previously. - Originally published in "Australian Financial Review"

There is really nothing good to say about investment markets right now – nor, of course, the existential challenge that COVID-19 poses to society. But what does it all mean for our superannuation and in particular pensions?

On 22 March 2020 the Government announced the second of their stimulus packages to support Australia through the economic consequences of the Covid-19. The rules announced today for retirees are explained here.

In any discussion about the pros and cons of SMSFs, the most common words in the conversation are 'control' and 'flexibility'. And these are certainly highly relevant as they are indeed benefits of SMSFs.

During the 08/09 financial crisis, the Government responded to pensioner concerns by halving the minimum pension amounts. Is there anything pensioners can do to preserve their super capital during this latest economic crisis?

Legislation introduced to fix a problem with market linked and complying life expectancy pensions, but it's not a total solution for all.

The 1 July 2017 changes to superannuation pensions introduced a new rule of thumb – most people can only convert $1.6m to a retirement phase pension over their lifetime.