SMSFs AND YOUR RETIREMENT HORIZON

What should my SMSF look like if I need it for 40 years? 30 years? Or 20 years?

Self-Managed Super Fund (SMSF) trustees often ask themselves, “What is the right mix of investments for my SMSF?” It’s a very common question, and one that will need to consider individual preference and the time until retirement. The answer will not be the same for everyone, even for members within the same SMSF.

The ‘right’ mix will be based on things like tolerance to investment risk and various other factors such as the cash flow needs of the SMSF and the investment mix of assets held by members outside of the SMSF. First and foremost the mix of the investments within the SMSF must be in line with the SMSF’s investment strategy. This is developed and reviewed by the trustees of the SMSF, and stipulates what types of assets the SMSF is allowed to invest in and over what timeframe.

Here we look at what to consider when deciding on the right mix of investments for your SMSF as you countdown the years to retirement.

40 years to go

Someone with a 40-year investment timeframe is likely to be at the accumulation stage of their SMSF. This person may generally have a higher appetite for investment risk (when compared to someone with a 10-year investment timeframe). This means they may invest larger parts of their SMSF in growth orientated assets such as shares and property. These assets generally have a higher rate of return over the long-term compared to defensive assets such as cash and term deposits.

It is always important to be mindful of the “sleep at night factor”. Just because the funds are locked into super for 40 years in the SMSF with plenty of time to recover from market downturns, it does not mean that when we do have a significant market downturn (and especially if for an extended period of time) that everyone will have the solid nerves to “ride the waves” of the investment market. There are sometimes examples of people in their 30s and 40s, despite the advice of their financial planner, cashing out their super investments and realising large capital losses, to their financial detriment, because they could not bear seeing their investments drop to a large extent, even if it is for the short-medium term.

However, for those that are prepared to take more short-medium term risk in exchange for the potential for greater long-term return, the 40-year horizon might afford the opportunity (especially if there are multiple members in the SMSF). When the SMSF has amassed a decent sized balance, this could potentially be used as a deposit to purchase a commercial or residential property while borrowing within the SMSF can fund the rest of the purchase.

SMSF trustees could also consider internally geared investments such as self-funding instalment warrants.

These types of transactions are often subject to strict lending rules, with limitations on what assets can be purchased using borrowing, and with specific borrowing terms and conditions that are different to the terms and conditions used for borrowing funds outside of super. It is also important that such transactions are entered into at arm’s length, and there are superannuation rules that strictly mandate what kind of borrowing an SMSF can make and what kind of transactions members/trustees of the SMSF can enter into with related parties (relatives, business associates etc).

Of course it’s important to seek financial advice to make sure these type of investment strategies are appropriate for your situation.

30 years to go

Someone with a 30-year investment time frame (typically 50 years+) is likely to be at the wealth preservation phase. They generally have more working years behind them than ahead of them. They still need growth in their SMSF as they may potentially be retired for 30+ years and need an asset base to sustain them. At the same time, they do not have the same timeframes as they did previously to recoup large investment losses if there is a significant market downturn and they plan on retiring in the next few years. This is a stage where there needs to be a delicate balance between growth assets to address longevity risk (the risk of outliving your retirement savings) while having enough defensive and liquid assets (such as cash and bonds) to mitigate any potential capital losses from a market downturn and provide a regular income in retirement.

20 years to go

Someone with a 20-year investment time frame (typically 60 years+) is generally in the pension phase of their SMSF. They are looking for the asset base within their SMSF to provide them with regular and reliable income. Other issues may present themselves during this age. A member of an SMSF may become incapacitated and may need to liquidate assets of the SMSF to pay for large lump sum medical expenses or fund a bond to enter an aged care facility. Or it could be that it is the member’s goal to utilise the SMSF to maintain lifestyle in retirement whilst leaving behind a legacy for loved ones.

At this stage it’s really important to have liquidity, especially if instant and unexpected access to funds is required to fund large outlays such as a bond for aged care. Furthermore, given that members are expected to draw down income in regular intervals, this can become problematic when it comes to holding direct real estate.

Let’s say for an example a single member SMSF holds an investment property as the sole investment of the SMSF yielding net rental of 4% per annum. And let’s say that at the same time, this member needs to draw down 7% of the SMSF balance to meet living expenses in retirement. The rental yield will not keep up, as generally speaking, direct real estate cannot be sold down gradually. It is not a divisible asset like a share or managed fund portfolio that can be sold down in parcels over time. Rather, it is an asset that you buy in its entirety and sell in its entirety, incurring significant transaction costs every time you buy and sell. This is not to say that there are no high yielding investment properties out there, however this is an issue that some people at this life stage may face especially when their SMSF has a significant holding in a residential investment property that has a greater capital growth versus an income yield focus.

All in all there is no one ‘right’ mix of assets when it comes to investing at different life stages for members of an SMSF. The right mix for you, will not necessarily be the right mix for someone in similar circumstances. The right mix for you will be based on your unique circumstances, financial goals, investment timeframes, and your psychology towards investing and money.

Disclaimer

This information is current as at March 2018. This information does not take into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs and so you should consider its appropriateness, having regard to your personal objectives, financial situation and needs having regard to these factors before acting on it. This information provides an overview or summary only and it should not be considered a comprehensive statement on any matter or relied upon as such. This information may contain material provided by third parties derived from sources believed to be accurate at its issue date. While such material is published with necessary permission, we do not accept any responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of, or endorse any such material. Except where contrary to law, we intend by this notice to exclude liability for this material. Any super law considerations or comments outlined above are general statements only, based on an interpretation of the current super laws, and do not constitute legal advice.