Super &
SMSF Advice
No matter what stage of your earnings journey you are at, it's important to maximise your superannuation contributions to achieve a healthy stream of income in retirement.
There are many things to consider, such as your need to access capital, your ability to contribute, your investment horizon for long-term financial growth, and determining your retirement income needs.
Super &
SMSF Advice
Your Trusted SMSF Financial Adviser
Why Choose Hewison Private Wealth?
Over four decades our team have become specialists in developing strategies that maximise Superannuation outcomes for clients, this often includes the design and management of Self-Managed Superannuation Funds (SMSFs). Where appropriate SMSFs can offer unrivalled control and flexibility, a signature trademark of our investment philosophy.
Our team is equipped with the knowledge and technical expertise required to correctly establish an SMSF and apply current superannuation legislation to client strategies, adapting as needed over time. Our team is experienced in all aspects of superannuation and SMSF advice, and as our expert team manage and grow your SMSF overtime you will be able to experience the freedom of independence.
Our SMSF Services
Self-Managed Superannuation Funds (SMSFs) can be an incredible savings vehicle in the right circumstances. As an investment strategy they provide great control and flexibility over your super and offer the freedom to select investments that are tailored to your individual needs and objectives. This also means they are not a ‘hands-off’ or set and forget strategy and managing a SMSF does come with considerable responsibilities.
However, our genuine care and expertise in developing strategies to maximise your superannuation outcomes, coupled with our team’s comprehensive portfolio administration means we seamlessly manage the maintenance of your portfolio. This includes balances, pension payments and all associated reporting for you – clients take great comfort in the knowledge that we always act in their best interests.
As part of the financial advice process it is possible that we recommend the establishment of a SMSF, should you not already have one in place. At Hewison Private Wealth, our team are here to help you establish, set up and run your SMSF. Establishing an SMSF can be complex and time consuming, and it is imperative that it’s done correctly. To ease the burden for clients, we manage the entire process for you, including all administrative tasks required during the establishment process.
SMSF Administration
Once established and investments made, the continued day-to-day running of the fund, including reporting and administrative obligations, can be managed by Hewison Private Wealth. We also work closely with legal practitioners, auditors, and tax agents as a part of our all-inclusive fund management services. The investments held within an individual’s SMSF will be maintained in accordance with the bespoke investment strategy, and frequently rebalanced to ensure drift from the set asset allocation is avoided.
SMSF Advice
Implementing a SMSF isn’t a set and forget superannuation strategy. SMSFs are highly bespoke with investments chosen specifically for individual goals and objectives. The expert team at Hewison Private Wealth understand this and are here to ensure each client has the most appropriate advice for their circumstances. With the correct spread of investments, clients would be able to accelerate retirement savings, preserve hard-earned assets and provide a steady income stream in retirement.
Our SMSF Consultants
If you are considering an SMSF or moving the management of your SMSF to Hewison Private Wealth, you can take comfort in the knowledge that all Advisers have the highest possible level of accreditation. Our Advisers are all tertiary qualified, Certified Financial Planners (CFP®) and are Self-Managed Super Fund (SMSF) Specialist Advisers (SSA®)
– accredited by the Self-Managed Super Fund Professionals Association of Australia (SPAA®). Collectively we manage over 750 SMSF’s on behalf of our clients, this expertise provides clients with great confidence and a high level of trust with the entire Hewison team.
What Our Customers Say
Ruppy House
Highly recommended. They are a very professional group that provide a tailored investment service and are by no means high pressure, sign here quick company. Gains did not happen overnight, but my SMSF is now ticking alone nicely and I can see the benefits of the strategy they recommended for me.
Noriko Tremul
My husband and I have started our SMSF with Hewison this year. We are impressed with the professionalism and high quality services. Travis, in particular, is very approachable and always responds to our enquiries promptly and with great clarity.
Christine Gallagher
The staff and financial advisers have always operated very professionally and always have our interests forefront. But saying that they also treat us like extended family. So far all their advise has been reliable and profitable, with minimal risk which has been designed for us. We have no hesitation in recommending Hewisons to any of our friends and family, if they are interested in a SMSF or an investment advice.
Where to find us
You’ll find the Hewison office conveniently located on Melbourne’s iconic boulevard, St Kilda Road, neatly nestled between Fawkner Park and Albert Park. Just 1.5km from the Royal Botanic Gardens and 3km from Melbourne’s CBD, our office offers easy access for clients who live or work in Melbourne, surrounding suburbs or further afield.
Many clients reside interstate and overseas and regularly check in with their Advisers over Zoom. There is paid parking available on St Kilda Road and an underground carpark onsite that has limited parking available. For those making their way via public transport, the 3, 5, 6, 16, and 67 tram routes will all bring you within a short walk of our office, taking no more than 15 minutes.
Common Questions
Common Questions
What is a Self-Managed Super Fund (SMSF)?
A Self-Managed Super Fund (SMSF), as the name suggests, is a type of superannuation fund that you manage yourself, or with the assistance of SMSF specialists such as Hewison Private Wealth. Unlike regular super funds, where your money is managed for you, an SMSF allows you to make decisions about how your super is invested. While this gives you more control and flexibility, it also means you’re responsible for following super and tax rules. This is where we can and do help. Read more about how to maximise superannuation for retirement here.
Why Set Up a SMSF?
Setting up a Self-Managed Super Fund (SMSF) gives you complete control and transparency over your investments, allowing you the choice and flexibility to achieve your desired retirement savings and income. This is achieved by the ability to choose your own investments in line with a diversified and set asset allocation across a number of asset classes. You will maintain complete hands-on-the-wheel control of your investments allowing you to achieve your financial goals. Establishing an SMSF can be a particularly cost-effective vehicle for high income earners; by seeking the right advice and putting an investment strategy in place appropriate to your circumstances you’ll have a clear pathway towards your financial independence.
How much does it cost for an SMSF Setup in Melbourne?
The establishment costs to establish an SMSF will vary depending on the structure and whether any advice has been sought. As an indication, comprehensive advice for a relatively complex SMSF may start around $3,300 inclusive of GST. The specific costs in 2024 to establish an SMSF are:
• Purchase of an SMSF Trust Deed - $385
• Purchase of the trustee company constitution - $597
• ASIC registration fee for the company - $385
• Binding Death Benefit Nominations of $220 per member. This will vary depending on the individual circumstances.
• Purchase of an SMSF Trust Deed - $385
• Purchase of the trustee company constitution - $597
• ASIC registration fee for the company - $385
• Binding Death Benefit Nominations of $220 per member. This will vary depending on the individual circumstances.
How much money do I need to start a SMSF?
Like many areas of financial advice, the amount needed in super to justify using an SMSF to hold and invest your retirement savings depends largely on your circumstances. If you are a young accumulator that will have a rapidly growing balance and you have wealth both inside and outside of super, then it could be highly valuable to take control of the investment strategy with a balance as low as a few hundred thousand dollars. However, if you are planning for retirement and will no longer be contributing to super then you would likely need a higher balance to justify the administration costs. SMSFs can be a highly valuable investment vehicle in the right circumstances, and to determine how it could benefit your wealth journey it is best to seek quality independent advice.
How is an SMSF Different From a Regular Super Fund? Is it better?
Firstly, it's control. With an SMSF you are in complete control of your superannuation investments. You, along with the help of your Adviser, can decide what investments to hold and when. You can choose when to act, or not.
Second is flexibility. A SMSF provides flexibility to access different types of investments, like direct property or alternative investments, which could be unavailable with a Retail Fund.
Third, cash flow. A SMSF allows you to manage the cash flow of your superannuation investments. Due to the increased control and flexibility, you know exactly what investments you hold and can determine what income they pay and when. This can allow you to craft a cash-flow strategy to ensure your investments are providing the right amount of income to meet your goals and objectives.
Fourth, non-unitised structure. When you invest in a Retail Superannuation Fund you are buying units in the respective Investment option (e.g. Balanced, Growth, Default). In retirement, when you are relying on your superannuation to meet your income needs, you access this income from your retail super fund through the sale of units on a periodic basis. If the investment market suffers a downfall, then the price of your units could fall, meaning you have to sell more units to fund the same amount of income than before. When the market eventually recovers you will be holding less units, because you were forced to sell more units during a market downturn to meet your cash-flow needs.
Most importantly, transparency. A SMSF provides complete transparency over what investments you hold. You can craft an investment strategy to meet your individual goals and objectives and exclude specific types of investments if you desire. With a Retail Fund you have limited opportunity over the types of investments you hold and usually get what you are given.
Second is flexibility. A SMSF provides flexibility to access different types of investments, like direct property or alternative investments, which could be unavailable with a Retail Fund.
Third, cash flow. A SMSF allows you to manage the cash flow of your superannuation investments. Due to the increased control and flexibility, you know exactly what investments you hold and can determine what income they pay and when. This can allow you to craft a cash-flow strategy to ensure your investments are providing the right amount of income to meet your goals and objectives.
Fourth, non-unitised structure. When you invest in a Retail Superannuation Fund you are buying units in the respective Investment option (e.g. Balanced, Growth, Default). In retirement, when you are relying on your superannuation to meet your income needs, you access this income from your retail super fund through the sale of units on a periodic basis. If the investment market suffers a downfall, then the price of your units could fall, meaning you have to sell more units to fund the same amount of income than before. When the market eventually recovers you will be holding less units, because you were forced to sell more units during a market downturn to meet your cash-flow needs.
Most importantly, transparency. A SMSF provides complete transparency over what investments you hold. You can craft an investment strategy to meet your individual goals and objectives and exclude specific types of investments if you desire. With a Retail Fund you have limited opportunity over the types of investments you hold and usually get what you are given.
How many members can an SMSF have?
Self-Managed Superannuation Funds (SMSFs) are private superannuation funds that may be established for up to six members. They are operated under a governing trust deed that must comply with the requirements of the Superannuation Industry Supervisions Act (SIS) and are controlled by the trustees on behalf of the members.
