According to the ATO’s SMSF Statistical Report for June 2015, total Australian and overseas assets dropped from $600.3 billion at the end of the March quarter this year to $589.9 billion at the end of the June quarter.
This, however, was an increase from the June 2014 quarter when total Australian and overseas SMSF assets were $556 billion.
According to ATO data, SMSFs have not experienced a decrease in total assets since the September 2011 quarter, when they dropped from $403 billion to $386.7 billion.
The report also showed total net Australian and overseas assets decreased, falling from $582.3 billion to $571.8 billion.
Overseas managed investments were one of the asset classes to see a decline, falling six per cent from $567 million at the end of the March quarter to $533 million at the end of the June quarter.
Listed shares fell by $12.2 billion from $199.3 billion to $187.1 billion.
The ATO also upwardly revised its June 2014 quarter estimates for assets held by SMSFs under limited recourse borrowing arrangements (LRBAs), from $9.3 billion to $15.1 billion, as reported by ifa sister publication SMSF Adviser yesterday.
The ATO estimates there are $15.6 billion in SMSF assets held under LRBAs as of June 2015.
While ATO statistics are the most accurate population and asset allocation data available on SMSFs, there is often a lag in updating the figures as new information, such as from SMSF annual tax returns, is processed.
Interesting Stat’ around lending within SMSF. Whilst there are some prudent lending arrangements and quality assest that leveraging has enhanced portfolios there is a massive exposure to overpriced property sectors. This is something that can take individuals retirement savings south in a big way. The incompetence around lending in SMSF and promotion from certain large mortgage aggragators / brokers will unfortunately cause a lot of pain and misery for many approaching retirement taking on board un necessary risks fueled by poor advice. Lending within super should be capped to a percentage of assets within a fund to limit explotation. Alternatively it should be totally removed if better control measures are not introduced to protect the consumer.
Dave concerned aboutinvestors approaching retirement being placed in over exposed positions.