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Your SMSF Investment Strategy and COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has seen sudden falls in shares and other investment values over the last four months. As a result, SMSF investments and superannuation balances have been adversely affected. You may wonder what impact this has on an SMSF's ability to comply with its Investment Strategy. The ATO has recently provided some guidance on this as part of its COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions. This article outlines what action trustees can and should be taking with respect to their Investment Strategies during this time.

Melissa Ramov, Maddocks Lawyers

Introduction

Superannuation law requires all SMSFs to have an Investment Strategy (or strategies). The Investment Strategy acts as a framework for the SMSF trustee(s) when making investment decisions on behalf of the SMSF, with the goal of increasing members' benefits for retirement.

During the life of the SMSF, the needs of the members change. The Investment Strategy needs to take into account the following considerations:

  • The risks associated with SMSF investments;
  • The composition of the investments;
  • The liquidity of the assets;
  • The ability of the SMSF to discharge its obligations; and
  • Whether the SMSF's trustees should hold insurance which provides cover for each member of the fund.

There are standards which apply to the operation of SMSFs which concern Investment Strategies. The trustee must formulate, regularly review and give effect to an Investment Strategy which has regard to the above considerations (which are discussed in more detail here).

Asset allocations falling outside target allocations in the Investment Strategy

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, it may be hard for trustees to strictly adhere to their SMSF Investment Strategy and trustees may find that they need to review and make changes to the document.

For instance, the rapid decline in financial markets which occurred in March 2020, followed by wild and unpredictable fluctuations ever since, means that allocations to particular assets, classes of assets, or industries, may be well outside the metrics contemplated in the SMSF's Investment Strategy. For example, members may find that the level of investment in a particular asset class - such as listed retail stocks - falls well outside preferred range stated in the Investment Strategy. Two considerations may arise:

  • With the decline in the relative performance of listed bricks and mortar retailers, the SMSF's asset allocation to that sector may be well below the target asset allocation percentage set out in the Investment Strategy;
  • However, the proper question for the SMSF trustees may well not be whether and when to address that allocation so that it again falls within the preferred range, but rather whether in a post COVID-19 world the preferred range itself should be revised.

Similarly, if the SMSF is invested in commercial property or unlisted property trusts, a similar evaluation of the correct investment settings, and when to take action to match asset holdings to preferred asset allocations, would need to be undertaken.

The ATO in its guidance has confirmed that trustees should take action to address such situations by adjusting investments or updating the Investment Strategy.

However, these are not easy judgments for SMSF trustees to make, particularly while the financial markets and surrounding economic conditions continue to exhibit volatility.

The ATO's guidance appears to support an approach of reviewing the Investment Strategy, revising it to the effect that it will be regularly reviewed during the ongoing volatility and that details in the Investment Strategy such as preferred asset classes, and preferred asset allocation percentages, will be adjusted over time as economic conditions settle.

Review your Investment Strategy

During significant events such as market shocks and associated medium term volatility, Investment Strategies should be promptly and consistently reviewed and updated. This process can be assisted by the SMSF trustees ordering an Investment Strategy product through Cleardocs, by which they can record the trustees' decision-making (and evidence that process) in writing as required by superannuation law.

More information from Maddocks

For more information, contact Maddocks on (03) 9258 3555 and ask to speak to a member of the Commercial team.

 

Lawyer in Profile

Andrew Wright
Andrew Wright
Partner
+61 3 9258 3362
andrew.wright@maddocks.com.au

Qualifications: LLB (Hons), BCom, University of Melbourne

Andrew is a Partner in Maddocks Tax and Structuring team. He has significant experience in advising Australian and multinational companies, high net worth individuals, accountants and financial advisers on all areas of taxation law.

Andrew regularly provides advice on:

  • structuring of businesses and transactions,
  • mergers and acquisitions,
  • sale of businesses,
  • corporate reorganisations,
  • fixed and discretionary trust deeds, and
  • international tax structuring.

His advice covers both direct and indirect tax considerations.

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