Superannuation Accounts Articles

A growing number of Australians are turning to self-managed super funds (SMSFs) to take greater control of their retirement savings—and for many, property sits at the heart of that strategy. According to the latest ATO figures, SMSFs held $1.02 trillion in assets at the end of the December 2024 quarter. While listed shares remain the largest allocation, direct property makes up 16.5% of total SMSF assets.

Retirement today comes with more choice—and more complexity. With longer lives, rising living costs, and more personal control over income, navigating this phase takes more than just a solid super balance.

For most Australians, superannuation is their most important financial asset after the family home—and the primary vehicle for funding their retirement.

A secure and stress-free retirement isn’t just the result of how much you save—it’s about how well you invest and manage those savings when the time comes. If you’re approaching retirement, having a well-planned strategy for your SMSF is crucial.

Self-managed super funds (SMSFs) are growing in popularity amongst investors seeking greater control over their retirement savings. While their benefits are significant, the costs—both setup and ongoing—can pose challenges, particularly for smaller funds. The good news is there are some costs-cutting tips which make SMSFs accessible to a wider portion of the investing population.

The trend of Australians taking control of their own superannuation investments has been steadily rising over the years. Despite challenges like sticky inflation and higher-for-longer interest rates, the self-managed superannuation fund (SMSF) sector has shown remarkable resilience, surpassing the significant milestone of $1 trillion in assets last year.

The inexorable rise of the SMSF continues with the SMSF count reaching 616,400 in March and the number of members hitting 1.1 million. Whilst that’s less than 5% of the Australian population, SMSF investors account for an impressive 24% of the $4 trillion invested in superannuation. In other words, SMSF investors are a wealthy and powerful bunch with growing financial clout.

Australia’s population of Self-Managed Super Fund (SMSF) investors continues to grow with over 600,000 SMSFs up and running. More investors are being attracted by the key benefit of being in control of their own super along with the improved transparency, flexibility and customisation potential SMSFs offer.