• I will need to dedicate more time to manage a SMSF and understand the legal requirements associated with managing a SMSF;
• All SMSF trustees, whether as individuals or directors of a corporate trustee, must understand their duties and responsibilities;
• The SMSF trustee is responsible to establish an Investment Strategy and should undertake an annual review of the strategy. I understand that there are some restrictions on SMSF investments and that certain transactions are prohibited;
• SMSFs are not subject to the same government protections that are available in APRA regulated superannuation funds. This means that in the event of theft or fraud the SMSF does not have access to statutory compensation;
• The SMSF does not have access to the Superannuation Complaints Tribunal in the case of a dispute;
• There are strict rules with harsh penalties (including financial penalties and jail terms) that apply to the types of assets that can be acquired, how contributions can be made and when benefits can be paid to members;
• With a SMSF, the trustee (or the directors of its corporate trustee) is responsible for compliance with those rules. This includes responsibility for amendments of trust deeds resulting from legislative change, minutes of trustee decisions and ensuring that the fund structure, strategies and investments comply with both the trust deed and legislation. I understand that if I outsource compliance with some obligations, the trustees remain responsible.