Self Managed Superannuation

More Control Over Your Super. More Say in Your Future.

An SMSF puts you in the driver’s seat when it comes to your retirement savings. Instead of handing your super over to a large fund and accepting whatever investment options they offer, you decide exactly where your money goes — whether that’s Australian shares, international investments, direct property, or a mix that reflects your own view of the world.

That level of control appeals to a lot of people. But an SMSF isn’t for everyone, and getting the structure right from the start matters more than most people realise.

At I.P. Financial Advisers, we help you work out whether an SMSF genuinely makes sense for your situation — and if it does, we help you set it up and manage it properly.

Is An Smsf Right For You?

The honest answer is: it depends. An SMSF can be a powerful wealth-building tool for the right person, but it also comes with real responsibilities and costs that need to be weighed carefully.

An SMSF tends to work well if you:

• Have a super balance that justifies the running costs — generally upwards of $200,000, though this varies
• Want to invest in assets not available through a standard super fund, such as direct property or a broader range of shares
• Are interested in taking a more active role in managing your retirement savings
• Have a business and want to use your super to purchase the commercial premises your business operates from
• Want to combine super balances with a spouse or family member to invest more effectively together
• Are looking for more sophisticated tax and estate planning options within your super structure

On the other hand, if you prefer a hands-off approach, have a smaller balance, or aren’t prepared to take on trustee obligations, a well-chosen industry or retail super fund may serve you better. We’ll tell you honestly which way we think you should go.

What You Need To Know Before Setting One Up

Running an SMSF means becoming a trustee — and that comes with legal obligations. You are responsible for ensuring the fund complies with superannuation law, that it has a documented investment strategy, that it is audited annually, and that it lodges its tax return on time. The penalties for getting it wrong can be significant.

That’s not meant to put you off — it’s just worth going in with clear eyes. With the right professional support, most people find the trustee responsibilities entirely manageable. The key is having advisers and administrators who keep you on track and make sure nothing falls through the cracks.

How I.P. Financial Advisers Can Help

We work with clients at every stage of the SMSF journey — from people who are just starting to consider whether an SMSF is right for them, through to existing trustees who want a second opinion on their investment strategy or compliance position.

Working out if it’s right for you — before anything else, we sit down and look at your full financial picture. Super balance, investment goals, tax situation, risk appetite, and time horizon. If an SMSF stacks up, we’ll tell you why. If it doesn’t, we’ll point you in a better direction.

Setting up your fund — we coordinate the establishment of your SMSF, including trust deed preparation, trustee structure, ATO registration, and rollover of your existing super. We make sure it’s done properly from day one.

Investment strategy — every SMSF is required by law to have a documented investment strategy. We help you build one that reflects your goals, your risk tolerance, and your retirement timeframe — and review it regularly as your circumstances change.

Ongoing advice — your SMSF doesn’t run itself. We provide ongoing advice on investment decisions, contribution strategies, pension commencement, and tax planning to keep your fund performing and compliant year after year.

Property inside super — one of the most common reasons people set up an SMSF is to purchase property, particularly commercial property used by their own business. We help you understand the rules, structure the purchase correctly, and ensure the fund remains compliant throughout.

SMSF and estate planning — super doesn’t automatically form part of your estate. We help you put the right death benefit nominations and succession arrangements in place so your super ends up where you intend.

A Straightforward Conversation First

If you’re thinking about an SMSF, the best place to start is a conversation — not a commitment. We’ll take the time to understand your situation, answer your questions honestly, and give you a clear picture of whether it’s the right move for you.

Contact I.P. Financial Advisers on 02 9635 9353 or visit us at Level 49, 8 Parramatta Square, Parramatta NSW 2150 to arrange a no-obligation chat with one of our advisers.

I.P. Financial Advisers — Independent, specialist financial advice tailored to you.