If you run your own self-managed super fund (SMSF), you would know doing everything yourself takes work. With the responsibility of your retirement funds resting on your shoulders, sometimes, you might want to ask an expert for a helping hand. Thankfully, SMSF advisers are there to be somewhat of a guardian angel - though all the investment choices you make are still up to you.


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Looking to take control of your retirement? This table below features SMSF loans with some of the most competitive interest rates on the market.

Update resultsUpdate
LenderHome LoanInterest Rate Comparison Rate* Monthly Repayment Repayment type Rate Type Offset Redraw Ongoing Fees Upfront Fees Max LVR Lump Sum Repayment Additional Repayments Split Loan Option TagsFeaturesLinkCompare
6.99% p.a.
7.00% p.a.
$2,659
Principal & Interest
Variable
$null
$720
70%
Featured
  • Available for Purchase and Refinance. No application fee and no settlement fee
  • No monthly, annual or ongoing fees
  • Access your SMSF loan via our easy-to-use online app Smart Money
Disclosure
7.19% p.a.
7.74% p.a.
$2,712
Principal & Interest
Variable
$395
$null
60%
Featured
  • Offset facility
  • EASY Refinance with minimal documentation
  • Residential & Commercial
  • Australia’s first certified Impact Lender
Disclosure
7.24% p.a.
7.26% p.a.
$2,726
Principal & Interest
Variable
$0
$710
70%
Disclosure
7.25% p.a.
7.65% p.a.
$2,729
Principal & Interest
Variable
$30
$825
80%
7.74% p.a.
7.76% p.a.
$2,863
Principal & Interest
Variable
$0
$710
80%
Disclosure
7.75% p.a.
7.83% p.a.
$2,866
Principal & Interest
Variable
$0
$995
80%
7.49% p.a.
7.50% p.a.
$2,794
Principal & Interest
Variable
$0
$720
80%
Featured
  • Available for Purchase and Refinance. No application fee and no settlement fee
  • No monthly, annual or ongoing fees
  • Access your SMSF loan via our easy-to-use online app Smart Money
Disclosure
Important Information and Comparison Rate Warning

Base criteria of: a $400,000 loan amount, variable, fixed, principal and interest (P&I) home loans with an LVR (loan-to-value) ratio of at least 80%. However, the ‘Compare Home Loans’ table allows for calculations to be made on variables as selected and input by the user. Some products will be marked as promoted, featured or sponsored and may appear prominently in the tables regardless of their attributes. All products will list the LVR with the product and rate which are clearly published on the product provider’s website. Monthly repayments, once the base criteria are altered by the user, will be based on the selected products’ advertised rates and determined by the loan amount, repayment type, loan term and LVR as input by the user/you. *The Comparison rate is based on a $150,000 loan over 25 years. Warning: this comparison rate is true only for this example and may not include all fees and charges. Different terms, fees or other loan amounts might result in a different comparison rate. Rates correct as of . View disclaimer.

Important Information and Comparison Rate Warning


What is an SMSF adviser?

An SMSF adviser is essentially like a financial adviser, but specifically for your SMSF.

Also known as an SMSF specialist or, SMSF specialist adviser and so on, these professionals can be touch points for people managing their own super looking for information and/or advice.

SMSF advisers are versed in SMSF legislation (which you’d likely know there is a lot of), as well as regulatory knowledge. An SMSF adviser can guide you on things like your investment strategy, and advise you about different types of investment and insurance products.

Ultimately, an SMSF specialist adviser is there to help you manage your SMSF to the best of your ability. You might need to consult an adviser when making big decisions like purchasing property within your SMSF, or for some general advice how to maximise your returns and make your SMSF work for you.

Why do people use SMSF advisers?

Running your own SMSF is hard work. Setting up an SMSF is its own can of worms, but managing the fund can also take time. On average, trustees spend more than 100 hours each year managing their SMSF, and navigating the tax and legal framework can take effort to get your head around. You need to ensure your SMSF is compliant, operational, and that you review your investment strategy at least annually.

Consulting with an SMSF adviser can be helpful to ensure your investment strategy is going in the right direction. As experts in the realm of all things related to SMSFs, they can provide you with helpful insights that you might not be able to gain by yourself, and steer you in making choices about your investment strategy to get the outcomes you want.

Pros and cons of using an SMSF adviser

If you’re not sure whether to take on some of the advice from an SMSF specialist, there are some potential pros and cons you might like to weigh up before deciding if it’s right or you.

Pros

Like we’ve mentioned, running and managing an SMSF is no easy task. Talking to an SMSF adviser might be helpful if you’re after a second opinion on your investment strategy, you’re not sure which direction to take your SMSF, or if you’re not sure whether an SMSF is right for you at all.

As experts in the niche field of SMSFs, they might serve as a helpful second pair of eyes to tell you what you’re doing right, what you’re doing wrong, and what you could be doing better. After all, the whole goal is to make the most of your retirement funds, right? If an SMSF adviser can do that for you, you might decide it’s worth your while.

Cons

The main disadvantage with using an adviser is cost. Along with all the other fees that come with running an SMSF, you might not want to fork out any extra money just to get a second opinion. According to SMSF Coach, you could expect to pay anywhere from $4,800 to $18,800 (in really complex cases) to speak to a qualified SMSF specialist.

Plus, it’s just advice. It’s totally up to you whether you choose to take it, but unfortunately, sometimes things might not pan out as you’d expected. While there are ways for you to complain and receive compensation for misleading super advice, it’s still not the ideal outcome.

How to find an SMSF specialist adviser

If you want to reach out to an SMSF adviser, or even want to know what your options are, there are ways for you to find an SMSF adviser near you.

A potentially good first port of call is the Self Managed Super Fund Association - the independent body representing SMSFs in Australia. There is a ‘Find a Specialist’ page on the site which allows you to search for SMSF advisers. You can specify search parameters while also search for a person or firm’s name. By searching this way, you’ll have a better idea that the SMSF specialist adviser you find has both legislation and regulatory knowledge, as well as good business and ethical practices.

Image by Gabrielle Henderson on Unsplash


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Whether you're looking to refinance or purchase investment property with your SMSF our partners can help you find the right SMSF home loan.