1. Why Set Up Your Own Super Fund?

It's your money. You should be able to do whatever you want with it. And that's exactly what having your own fund provides. Owning your own fund offers many benefits when compared to professionally managed funds. That's why around 50,000 funds have been established in the last 2 years alone. Anyone can establish their own fund subject to the requirements of the Australian Tax Office (ATO) and Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA). Smartsuper, however, deals primarily with asset funds of $300,000 or more alone. There are two kinds of funds you can use:

1. Self Managed Superfund (SMSF)

Self Managed Superfunds are regulated by the ATO and are the most common type used due to their improved flexibility. A Self Managed Superfund must have 4 members or less, and every member must be either a trustee or a director of the Trustee Company. All members are required to sign off on all actions of the fund. Note: SMSF's are suitable for all individuals except those under a legal disability or those choosing to live overseas for extended periods.

2. Small APRA Fund (SAF)

Small APRA Funds are of similar structure to an SMSF except that an Approved Trustee is appointed to administer the fund. They are regulated by APRA, rather than the ATO. Appointing an Approved Trustee provides an additional level of protection, but reduces flexibility as the Approved Trustee must sign all cheques and generally the range of investment options are restricted. SAF's are most suited to those with legal disabilities (e.g. compensation recipients with reduced faculties) or those who wish to reside overseas for long periods. Please contact us directly if you feel you need a SAF to meet your needs.

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2. What Are The Advantages Of A Self Managed Super Fund?

There are many advantages to having a Self Managed Superfund.

• Control:
  You choose where, when and how to invest. And you can change your portfolio at any time.
• Flexibility:
  Invest in just about anything - real estate, shares, bonds, term deposits, collectibles, and more. (Providing it is allowed by superannuation legislation - refer investment restrictions)
• Tax Benefits:
  The maximum income tax rate you pay is 15%. This can be further reduced by dividend franking credits when in pension mode the fund pays no income tax.
• Protection:
  Using a professional administrator reduces the risk of fines and ensures your fund is constantly monitored for issues relating to the compliance of the fund. We hold your hand through the process of fund compliance.

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3. Why Are We Different?

We do not pretend to be the cheapest administration service available. We do, however, deliver a service which is full and complete. If you are looking for a firm to work alongside you on a monthly basis, assist you to meet your Trustee responsibilities and ensure the things that need to be done are done, then Smartsuper is your best choice.

We dedicate specific people to your account, but don't leave everything to one person ensuring that you continue to be looked after even if your administrator is on holidays. Our service is designed to make your life easy. We have never had a client walk into our office and say: "Today I'd like to become the Trustee of a self managed super fund and take on all the Trustee responsibilities, please". We recognise that you want to use the fund to manage your investments the way you want to mange them, provide retirement income and make sure the right people benefit from your assets in the event of your death. Our job is to assist you in making the right decisions with the least amount of effort on your part.

The benefits of using Smartsuper can be summarised simply as follows:

• Personal control of your investments.
• Simple, easy to understand position and performance reports (monthly, quarterly or a minimum of six months).
• One statement of position, rather than a myriad of different funds and reports.
• Flexibility of investment types.
• Amalgamation of you and your spouse's super or joint investments.
• Control of contributions made by your employer.
• Fees are similar or less than those paid in a retail fund.
• Improved efficiency.
• Increased flexibility and adaptability to change.
• You have the ability to focus on maximising your investment returns while leaving the compliance and day-to-day administration and recording to us.

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4. What Do We Offer?

Fund Set up, Transfer and Services. We can,

• Set up a brand new fund for you
• Transfer the administration of an existing fund to ourselves
• Transfer a fund from one type to another (e.g. from SAF to SMSF or SMSF to SAF)
• Provide a "fix it" service, if able, to bring a current fund up to date and make it comply.
• Set up a trustee company for your fund, for ongoing administration and other services.
• Technical and structural design service to help you structure your fund to best suit your position.

If you need updated information about Trust Deeds, Fund Establishment, Actuarial, Statutory Obligations, Technical Service, etc. * See our FAQ's "Corporate or Individual Trustee" to help you decide on using a company or individual or trustee.

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5. How Do I Set Up a Fund?

You can call our client services team on 1300 138 348 and we will assist you through the process, or

1. Download a Product Disclosure Statement (PDS), which will provide you with full details of the services offered and our costs
2. If you wish to use a Macquarie Cash Management Account for your fund, download their Product Disclosure Statement
3. Print out and complete the application forms attached to the fund PDS (and Macquarie Cash Management PDS if required) and forward to us

Group Insurance

Should you wish to take out group life insurance or income protection through your super fund, please call us and we will discuss your needs.

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6. How Does The Set Up Process Work?

During your time with us, you will be looked after by various departments according your needs. Our key client divisions are Fund Administration and New Business.

Fund Administration

• Accumulation funds
• Pension funds
• Compliance and Audit

New Business

When we first receive your application, our New Business team will start setting up your fund. We will:

• Review your application for any omissions
• Organise a new trust deed
• Apply for an Australian Business Number (ABN) and a Tax File Number (TFN)
• Organise any roll over of existing balances
• Set up a bank account (if required)
• Complete all relevant minutes and other documentation

Once all documentation is received we will forward you a welcome folder to store all your documents.

Fund Administration

Depending on whether you are in accumulation mode (i.e. building up assets for retirement) or pension mode (i.e. in retirement) you will be allocated to a relevant department to handle your ongoing administration needs. Each quarter you will receive a report on where your fund is up to, whether your investment mix is still in strategy, and what compliance events are coming up. We organise for your fund to be audited for the purpose of statutory accounts.

Compliance and Audit

At the end of each financial year, your fund will need to lodge an income tax return and a regulatory return. If you have a corporate trustee you will also need to pay an annual fee to ASIC (Australian Securities and Investment Commission)

Our Compliance and Audit team attends to these tasks, so that your ongoing, and regular, administration is not interrupted.

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