17 April 2024
Elston Quarterly Portfolio Update Q2 2024
In this video, Portfolio Manager David Seager provides his perspective on the key questions discussed in the recent quarterly asset allocation meeting. Read more
29th October 2015 - Asset Management, Private Wealth
A self-managed super fund (SMSF) is an excellent option for many individuals, particularly for those who prefer to have greater flexibility and control over their investments and financial future.
With many industry and retail funds delivering average, or below average, performance the enquiry from clients interested in the benefits of a SMSF has been strong, particularly over the last three years.
Self-managed super fund’s are in essence highly personalised super funds as they are quite complex in their structure and are also tailored to suit the specific needs and circumstances of each client. They are definitely not a ‘one size fits all’ solution, as a result the easiest and most effective way to navigate the process and to get the most out of the fund structure is to employ the services of an advisor who specialises in this field.
While SMSFs can provide stronger outcomes than external funds, and help you feel more confident about your retirement, they are also not necessarily for everyone. At Elston, we believe it is imperative our clients are aware of not only the cost and fees involved in setting up an self-managed super fund but also their ongoing responsibilities as Trustees.
Here are a few key questions to consider before making the change.
As we advised in an earlier Elston post, a healthy minimum superannuation target for an SMSF is $200,000 – $250,000. With a lesser amount, you run the risk of your benefits being outweighed by the costs of your fund. However, it’s important to keep in mind that personal circumstances will naturally impact on the amount of funds you commence your SMSF with; based on the investment strategy you are using it as a vehicle for. Professional advice is a crucial first step for those who are unsure if they have enough superannuation – or combined superannuation – to successfully execute an SMSF.
The people who see the strongest performance from their self-managed super fund are often those who already have an interest in, or an understanding of, the fundamentals of the various investment and asset class options available. If you have prior experience in property investment, fixed interest, or trading in stocks or shares, this is a good indication that you are better prepared for the investment strategy process that goes hand-in-hand with the annual operating and auditing of a SMSF.
If the world of investment is new territory for you, don’t assume that a self-managed super fund is not a good choice. A little patience, research and effort to tailor a customised plan – coupled with some expert guidance – can enable many individuals to reap the rewards of managing their own super fund. If you’re determined to secure your financial future through the flexibility and control of a SMSF, and are prepared to put in the associated groundwork and maintenance, a SMSF is a viable option.
The concept of controlling your own super may be intimidating for many people. This is why having a professional team like Elston on your side is invaluable. Elston is one of the largest operators of individually managed accounts and manages close to $1 billion for SMSFs and retail investors. Our team of advisers have years of experience, and are able to help you navigate the various aspects of starting of your own self-managed super fund, from initial set-up and registration, through to administration assistance, investment strategy advice, and ongoing support.
If the idea of taking control of your financial future is appealing, and you would like to learn more about SMSFs, contact Elston on 1300 ELSTON (357 866) or email info@elston.com.au and an adviser will be in touch. Elston have offices in Brisbane, Canberra, Gold Coast, Ballina, Tamworth, Bundaberg and Hervey Bay.
17 April 2024
In this video, Portfolio Manager David Seager provides his perspective on the key questions discussed in the recent quarterly asset allocation meeting. Read more
10 April 2024
Elston Portfolio Manager Gary Merkel has picked three constituents of the ASX Small Ordinaries Index in the latest Livewire article. Read more
25 March 2024
Just before Easter, Livewire asked four fundies to pick which businesses they thought had the hop on some of the others in their investment universe. Read more
18 March 2024
Following on from the reporting season, Co-Founder and Portfolio Manager Bruce Williams has provided a brief overview of the recent results and what that indicates for the portfolio positioning. Read more
31 January 2024
The Australian Financial Review has recently named Elston Australian Emerging Leaders in their top performers 2023. Read the article to find out more. Read more
18 January 2024
In this video, Portfolio Manager Leon de Wet provides his perspective on the key questions discussed in the recent quarterly asset allocation meeting. Read more
1 December 2023
HUB24 announced the launch of a new whitepaper, ‘Directing the matrix: meeting the advice needs of high net worth clients’. Read now to get insights from Elston Head of Philanthropic Services Susan Chenoweth and many other experienced advisers. Read more
8 November 2023
Investing in what you are passionate about, or even what you consume everyday, can give you an edge. Find out what local stock Elston Co-Founder Bruce Williams has in mind. Read more
13 October 2023
What should advisers think about as they move to managed portfolios? Elston Head of Adviser Services Mark Smith shared his views on how to successfully make the transition. Read more
4 October 2023
We all know Australia is the lucky country, but could it soon be the luckiest? Elston Co-founder Andrew McKie believes it may be possible, and advisers need to take heed. Read more
21 September 2023
Andrew McKie joined 5 other industry leaders at LiveWire Live 2023 as they presented their shocking prediction for the future. What did he predict? And is it good news or bad news? Read more
14 September 2023
Portfolio Manager Leon de Wet has provided a brief overview of the recent reporting season results and what that indicates for future earnings and the portfolio positioning. Read more
25 August 2023
Are our two big supermarkets worth checking out? Read the latest Livewire Markets article to see what Elston Co-Founder and Portfolio Manager Bruce Williams thinks. Read more
12 August 2023
Should investors buy AMP or bypass it? See what Elston co-founder and portfolio manager Andrew McKie thinks and find out how he’s feeling about the ASX100 in general. Read more
1 August 2023
In this video, Portfolio Manager Leon de Wet provides his perspective on the key questions discussed in the recent quarterly asset allocation meeting. Read more
31 July 2023
What makes Carsales such an attractive stock? Elston Portfolio Manager Bruce Williams examines the key drivers that are working for this digital marketplace both here and overseas. Read more
26 July 2023
Last year, some bond indices fell into a black hole. Are good returns from fixed income investing still a galaxy far, far away? Or are there brighter days on the horizon? Read more
23 July 2023
In the latest Livewire's edition of Buy Hold Sell, Andrew McKie talked about which ASX-listed stocks he would want to own (or not own) in a Goldilocks scenario. Read more
20 July 2023
Elston Co-Founder Andrew McKie sat down with Han Lee from Livewire and Rob Crookston from WILSONS to discuss how they find “quality” companies on the ASX. Read more
15 July 2023
Andrew McKie was asked to analyse three stocks that are widely perceived to have those rock-solid qualities and assess whether they have become overcrowded, and name one quality company in the recent Livewire interview. Read more
12 July 2023
If you had a spare $10,000, how would you invest it? It's an interesting hypothetical and one that Elston Portfolio Manager Leon De Wet was happy to answer for Livewrire. Read the article to see his picks. Read more
7 July 2023
Inflation has proven to be more stubborn than expected. And so, the Reserve Bank has had no choice but to keep increasing interest rates. What could this mean for company earnings and how might that flow through to portfolios? Read more