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5 November 2025
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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.
More Australians are retiring with larger mortgages and less super. This paper explores how unlocking housing wealth can help ease the nation’s growing retirement cashflow crunch.
In any year since 1875, if you'd invested in the ASX, turned away and come back eight years later, your average return would be 120% with no negative periods. It's just one of the must-have stats that all investors should know.
Younger Australians think they’ll need $100k a year in retirement - nearly double what current retirees spend. Expectations are rising fast, but are they realistic or just another case of lifestyle inflation?
Five mega trends point to risks of a more inflation prone and lower growth environment. This, along with rich market valuations, should constrain medium term superannuation returns to around 5% per annum.
Whether for yourself or a family member, it’s never too early to start thinking about aged care. This looks at the best ways to plan ahead, as well as the changes coming to aged care from November 1 this year.
Labor has caved to pressure on key parts of the Division 296 tax, though also added some important nuances. Here are six experts’ views on the changes and what they mean for you.
With investor sentiment shifting and ETFs surging ahead, we pit Australia’s biggest LICs against their ETF rivals to see which delivers better returns over the short and long term. The results are revealing.
Investing in the ASX 20 or 200 requires vigilance. Blue chips aren’t immune to failure, and the old belief that you can simply hold them forever is outdated.
Adding high-quality compounders at attractive valuations is difficult in an efficient market. However, during the volatile FY25 reporting season, an opportunity arose to increase a position in Mexican fast-food chain GYG.
Factor-based ETFs are bridging the gap between active and passive investing, giving investors low-cost access to proven drivers of long-term returns such as quality, value, momentum and dividend yield.
In Breakneck, Dan Wang contrasts China’s “engineering state” with America’s “lawyerly society,” showing how these mindsets drive innovation, dysfunction, and reshape global power amid rising rivalry.
The rules to age successfully include, 'the unexamined life lasts longer', 'change no more than one-eighth of your life at a time', 'nobody is thinking about you', and 'pursue virtue but don’t sweat it'.