Click here to download/view a PDF copy of the 2009 Newsletter

Click here to download/view a PDF copy of the 2009 Business Checklist

Click here to download/view a PDF copy of the 2009 Rental Property Checklist

Click here to download/view a PDF copy of the New Education Expense Tax Offset

Click here to download/view a PDF copy of the Medical expenses Tax Offset Worksheet

Market Watch is a monthly investment markets overview provided by Colonial First State.
It provides an update on the economy, Australian shares, global shares, listed property and fixed interest.

Market Watch is a monthly investment markets overview provided by Colonial First State.
It provides an update on the economy, Australian shares, global shares, listed property and fixed interest.

If you want to take control of your superannuation or pension, then the setting up of your own superannuation fund could represent an attractive alternative.

With your own fund, you make all the investment and asset allocation decisions. This compares with the traditional superannuation funds where you have no or minimal control over your investments.

Benefits of Your Own Superannuation Fund

• Control over what investments are made;
• Flexibility in deciding when to buy the investments;
• Ability to assess all the benefits of the new superannuation rules starting from the 1st July 2007;
• Can be cheaper than managed funds, if you have more than $250,000 to invest;
• The fund can purchase residential real estate itself or in partnership with you;
• The fund can purchase your business premises;
• Provides asset protection as amounts held within superannuation cannot be assessed by the trustee in bankruptcy;
• Fund can recieve imputation refunds on dividends and the dividend component of share buy-backs;
• The fund can be used to invest directly into term deposits to minimise investment risks;
• The new account based pensions can be paid from the fund.

Disadvantages of Your Own Superannuation Fund

• Additional paperwork.
• Statutory regulations apply to trustees to ensure the fund is operated within government guidelines.
• Time is needed to make and implement investment decisions.

It should be noted that in a recent study, 87% of people who had their own Self Managed Superannuation Fund felt that running their fund was easy or very easy.

The question of whether you can “do it better” than the professional superannuation fund managers, is something only time will tell, but for many investors who have experienced high fees and no control over the investments purchased, they are willing to try.

Market Watch is a monthly investment markets overview provided by Colonial First State.
It provides an update on the economy, Australian shares, global shares, listed property and fixed interest.

Market Watch is a monthly investment markets overview provided by Colonial First State.
It provides an update on the economy, Australian shares, global shares, listed property and fixed interest.