SMSF Estate Planning Services in Sydney
Create Wealth for Generations. Secure a Legacy.
Your SMSF likely represents your largest asset outside your home. Yet most estate plans treat it as an afterthought. Our specialist SMSF estate planners ensure your superannuation wealth transfers exactly as intended, protecting beneficiaries while minimising tax.
Estate Planning That Recognises Your SMSF's Unique Position
Your will doesn’t control your SMSF—a fact that shocks many successful Australians. While general estate planners might mention superannuation in passing, our SMSF estate planning specialists understand that your fund requires its own sophisticated succession strategy, separate from but coordinated with your broader estate plan.
Our SMSF estate planners bring specialised expertise that general practitioners simply don’t possess. With deep understanding of superannuation death benefit rules, they navigate complex regulations around benefit payments, tax implications, and beneficiary eligibility. Most clients discover critical gaps in their existing arrangements that could cost beneficiaries hundreds of thousands in unnecessary tax.
We translate complex succession rules into clear estate strategies. You don’t need to understand every technical requirement—our specialists ensure your wishes become legally binding instructions that protect your beneficiaries while minimising tax obligations.
Core Competencies of Our SMSF Estate Planners
Binding Death Benefit Nominations
Our estate planners don’t rely on generic nominations—they craft legally binding instructions that ensure your wishes are followed precisely. Every nomination considers beneficiary eligibility, tax implications, and payment structures that protect your loved ones.
Reversionary Pension Strategies
Seamless pension transfers require careful structuring. Our specialists establish reversionary arrangements that continue income streams to surviving spouses without triggering unnecessary tax events or benefit delays.
Intergenerational Wealth Transfer
Moving SMSF wealth across generations requires sophisticated planning. Our estate planners structure strategies that preserve wealth, minimise tax, and educate next-generation trustees about their responsibilities.
Estate Equalisation Techniques
When SMSF assets can’t be divided equally, our specialists implement equalisation strategies using insurance, contribution splitting, and creative structuring to ensure fair distribution among beneficiaries.
Why choose Clarity SMSF?
Experience expert SMSF guidance from a local, transparent team that puts your financial future first
SMSF-Specific Succession Expertise
Our estate planners specialise in superannuation succession, understanding unique rules and opportunities that general estate planners routinely miss or misunderstand.
Beyond Basic Death Benefits to Tax Optimisation
While standard planners focus on distribution, our specialists optimise tax outcomes, potentially saving beneficiaries hundreds of thousands through strategic structuring.
Family Protection Focus
Complex family situations require careful planning. Our specialists navigate blended families, dependent children, and relationship breakdowns to protect all beneficiaries.
Your journey to
SMSF Confidence
1
Personalised SMSF Assessment
We'll tell you straight if an SMSF is right for you. Unlike those who'll set one up for anyone with a pulse and a credit card.
2
Customised Strategy Creation
Your complete SMSF team crafts a strategy around your specific goals. No cookie-cutter approaches, just personalised planning that actually fits.
3
Seamless Establishment Process
We handle the complex setup while you maintain control. Trust deeds, ATO registration, asset transfers—all done right first time.
4
Guided Investment Implementation
We handle the complex setup while you maintain control. Trust deeds, ATO registration, asset transfers—all done right first time.
5
Ongoing Support & Optimisation
We don't disappear after setup like online providers. Regular reviews and proactive adjustments keep your SMSF on track as life evolves.
SMSF Professional Network
Integrated SMSF Expertise
Your SMSF accountant works seamlessly with our complete specialist network, ensuringevery aspect of your fund receives expert attention:
This coordinated approach eliminates gaps between advisors, ensuring consistent strategyacross all aspects of your SMSF.
Experience the
Specialist Advantage
Ready to experience what truly integrated SMSF expertise delivers? Our specialists are prepared to demonstrate the measurable difference that focused knowledge and coordinated strategy makes to your retirement wealth.
Not sure where to start? Contact us for a confidential discussion about your current SMSF requirements.
All the answers to
your questions
Generally no—adult children can only receive lump sums unless they’re financially dependent or in an interdependency relationship. Our estate planners explore alternatives like estate payments with testamentary trust integration for ongoing support structures.
Properly executed binding nominations are legally enforceable. However, challenges can arise if nominations are invalid, beneficiaries aren’t eligible, or trust deed requirements aren’t met. Our specialists ensure bulletproof nominations resistant to challenge.
Not directly—charities aren’t eligible SMSF beneficiaries. However, benefits can be paid to your estate then distributed to charities via your will. Our estate planners structure charitable giving strategies within compliance requirements.
No, your will doesn’t automatically control SMSF assets. Death benefits are paid according to trust deed rules and binding nominations. Without proper SMSF estate planning, trustees have discretion that may not align with your will’s intentions. Our specialists ensure coordination between will and SMSF succession.
Tax depends on beneficiary status and age. Tax dependants (spouse, minor children) receive benefits tax-free. Non-tax dependants face up to 32% tax on certain components. Benefits paid to estates may trigger additional tax. Our specialists structure payments minimising tax impact.
Payment method depends on beneficiary type and fund rules. Spouses can receive lump sums or pensions. Non-spouse dependants typically receive lump sums only. Payments to estates follow will instructions. Our specialists structure payments optimising tax and beneficiary needs.
Remarriage automatically revokes existing binding nominations in some states. New spouses gain potential claims requiring nomination updates. Our specialists ensure estate plans adapt to relationship changes maintaining intended beneficiary protection.
Major life events trigger immediate review needs: marriage, divorce, births, deaths, or relationship changes. Otherwise, annual reviews ensure continued validity. Some binding nominations lapse every three years requiring renewal. Our specialists maintain ongoing review schedules.
Death benefits comprise tax-free and taxable components. Tax dependants receive all components tax-free. Non-tax dependants pay up to 17% on taxable (taxed) components and 32% on taxable (untaxed) components. Strategic planning minimises these impacts.
Trustees have discretion to pay benefits to any eligible dependant or your estate. In blended families or complex situations, this can cause significant conflict and unintended distributions. Our specialists ensure your wishes are legally binding, not merely suggested.
Multi-member funds require careful succession planning. Death of one member affects remaining members through trustee changes and benefit payments. Our estate planners ensure smooth transitions protecting all parties.
A binding nomination legally requires trustees to pay your death benefits to specified beneficiaries in predetermined proportions. Unlike non-binding nominations (merely suggestions), binding nominations provide certainty. Our specialists ensure nominations are properly drafted, validly executed, and regularly reviewed.
A reversionary pension automatically continues to a nominated beneficiary (usually spouse) upon death without becoming a lump sum first. This provides income continuity and potential tax advantages. Our estate planners assess whether reversionary structures suit your circumstances.
When SMSF assets can’t be divided equally (e.g., indivisible property), estate equalisation ensures fair distribution. Strategies include life insurance, contribution splitting, or assets outside super. Our specialists implement equalisation maintaining family harmony.
Only “dependants” under superannuation law: spouses (including de facto), children (any age), financial dependants, interdependency relationships, or your legal personal representative (estate). Tax treatment varies significantly between beneficiaries. Our specialists structure nominations optimising both eligibility and tax outcomes.