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27 May 2026
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In a monthly column to assist trustees, specialist Meg Heffron explores major issues on managing your SMSF.
Download Meg’s Facts and Figures 2023/24 for your records or print it out so you have all the latest information at your fingertips.
Disclaimer: The information, representations & statements expressed or otherwise implied in this article are based on laws in place at 30 June 2023, made in good faith and derived from sources and research believed to be reliable and accurate. Heffron Consulting Pty Ltd accepts no liability in respect of such representations or statements, whether by reason of negligence or any other matter whatsoever. This article is written without any specific knowledge of individuals’ situations. Any person acting upon such information without receiving specific advice does so entirely at their own risk. All rates are for the period 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024 unless otherwise indicated. © Heffron Consulting Pty Ltd 2023.
Meg Heffron is the Managing Director of Heffron SMSF Solutions, a sponsor of Firstlinks. This is general information only and it does not constitute any recommendation or advice. It does not consider any personal circumstances and is based on an understanding of relevant rules and legislation at the time of writing.
For more articles and papers from Heffron, please click here.
Great list and reminders. Some holiday study as well.
I would be appreciated if you could comment on my situation. I have a SMSF $1.7M tax free pension which made up from combination of CSS and my own fund. The CSS was not taxed until last year. This means that my $1.7M tax free pension is reduced. This because the original portion of the CSS component is no longer tax free. How can I top up my tax free threshold of $1.7M and who do I approach?. My accountant said the Legislation do not allow me to top up, is this correct?.
The CSHC income thresholds were updated on 20-Sept-23 to $95,400 pa for singles and $152,640 pa for couples.
Any idea of how the Relevant number is calculated I would appreciate an example where i can include my personal portfolio outside super + my total super to work out ( using the deeming ) for centreLink
Rules for eligibility to contribute to super are simple but there are conditions regarding accessing the bring forward rule that may result in unintended tax consequences. Here's an overview of everything you need to know.
Every SMSF owner should take an interest in David Murray’s Financial System Inquiry because it asks some fundamental questions including issues around limitations, tax breaks, contribution limits and more.
Research now backs up the anecdotal claims that SMSF trustee confidence in the superannuation system is declining. The proposed Council with its independence and long term view will help address this.
A proposal to address Australia's 'stranded balances' in retirement by requiring super funds to transition members to pension phase at 65, boosting retirement income and reframing super as a source of income.
Here is a checklist of 28 important issues you should address before June 30 to ensure your SMSF or other super fund is in order and that you are making the most of the strategies available.
The debate over the budget is increasingly shaped by frustration and perceptions of unfairness, rather than clear-eyed assessment of policy outcomes.
A retirement researcher's take on retirement and her focus on each of her six resource buckets to stay engaged during the transition and beyond.
Marketed as a fix for inequality and housing affordability, the latest budget instead delivers a tangle of tax changes that leave everyday Australians worse off.
Australia may not levy formal death duties, but a growing web of tax measures is quietly shaping what wealth passes between generations. Now, the 2026 budget adds another layer.
From US fiscal pressure to China’s shifting growth model and Australia’s structural constraints, markets are yet to reflect a less forgiving global investment landscape.
Retail investors face an increasingly complex product environment, but simplicity may be the most overlooked advantage in building a portfolio you can actually live with.
A sustained disruption through the Strait of Hormuz is forcing a rapid drawdown of global inventories. Without a resolution, the arithmetic points to a supply shock by early August and a sharp surge in the oil price.
The outbreak of conflict in the Middle East in February 2026 marks an historic shock for oil and gas markets, with major implications for inflation, interest rates and ultimately for listed infrastructure companies.
The government plans to remove negative gearing to help renters buy homes. For those who remain renters, the wrong levers are being pulled to try and increase rental unit supply.
As wealth grows, so does the assumption that risk should too. But in reality, the opposite may be true: once you understand how the value of money changes over time, the case for taking less risk becomes far more compelling.
As super balances grow, SMSFs are becoming central to retirement outcomes. Without proper planning for “Armageddon” scenarios, even well-structured funds can unravel when it matters most.