There are no guarantees to a secure future. Life often moves in unexpected directions which are out of your control. People take different measures to prevent themselves from any uncertainty that would arise in future.
DIY self-managed superannuation is one of the popular measure people are going towards. It is different from other investment schemes which often turn up giving you no benefit on your investment. DIY self-managed superannuation is recommended by many of the accountants and financial advisers. It gives you a secure future, giving an end to all you after retirement worries. DIY self-managed superannuation funds are a great way to invest your money.
Purpose of DIY super
The only purpose of DIY super is to secure your post retirement life; all you need to do is keep aside part of your income for future use and gain tax benefits given by Australian government of superannuation funds. There is a lot that DIY super provides you with. You can enjoy with options like, managed investments, direct shares and direct property.
Can you set up your own DIY super?
There are no restrictions or specific criteria regarding people who can set up their DIY super. Anyone, whether employed or not can join the scheme. There are flexibilities for everyone who wishes to set up their funds. If you are not employed or are just a house wife, your spouse can make a payment on your behalf until you reach the age of 65. It’s an additional benefit for people who are self-employed to just join a fund and make contributions in it. They can then claim a full tax deduction on their contributions.
Advantages of setting up a DIY super
The first and foremost benefit of setting up a DIY self-managed superannuation fund is to have complete control on your investments. You are the one deciding your investment strategies, planning how you want to manage your funds without any interference or restrictions from other members. Every member in DIY super is also a trustee. Other super funds charge a high tax rate on your investment, DIY super charges comparatively a low rate of 15% on your investments. After you cross 60 all your funds get free of tax. There is some fee charged on behalf of your funds, though if your transactions are at minimum levels you get to pay reduced amount of fee.
Disadvantages of setting up a DIY super
There are some limitations to DIY super. In fulfilling your role as a trustee you get a lot of responsibilities on your shoulders. Keeping a record of your transactions and checking them for accuracy every now and then gets burdensome. Time management is very important if you choose to set up a DIY super. Deciding relevant strategies and planning your investment is not easy, it requires time and skills. You are also required to get your accounts audited annually and maintain a statutory report.