SMSF Association pledges to stop elder abuse

22 February 2018
| By Anastasia Santoreneos |
image
image
expand image

The SMSF Association has pledged to work with the Federal Government to implement a National Plan to address elder abuse by the end of 2018.

The National Plan is a response to a key recommendation of the Australian Law Reform Commission’s (ALRC) report on elder abuse, Elder Abuse – A National Legal Response.

SMSF Association chief executive officer, John Maroney, said given the issue of elder abuse concerns 47 per cent of SMSF members aged 60 or older, a national plan is needed to minimise these incidences.

“Elder abuse is an emerging risk for the SMSF sector and the ALRC’s recommendation regarding superannuation and the issue of enduring powers of attorney (EPOA) can help mitigate it without significantly increasing compliance for SMSF trustees or limiting choice on how to run their fund,” he said.

Maroney also said the proposed changes to superannuation law under the National Plan would ensure that trustees consider planning for the loss of capacity to an SMSF trustee; that estate planning becomes part of the fund’s investment strategy; and that the ATO is told when an individual becomes an SMSF trustee because of an EPOA.

“The investment strategy recommendation will ensure that SMSF trustees and their advisers give more thought to planning for loss of capacity and ensuring that the right people assist SMSF members with their fund as they age,” he said.

The SMSF Association also said it supports the ALRC’s call for a review of the laws regarding binding death benefit nominations for superannuation fund members, as well as the recommendations to increase oversight of the use of EPOA and create a consistent national approach to their use. 

Read more about:

AUTHOR

Recommended for you

sub-bgsidebar subscription

Never miss the latest developments in Super Review! Anytime, Anywhere!

Grant Banner

From my perspective, 40- 50% of people are likely going to be deeply unhappy about how long they actually live. ...

11 months ago
Kevin Gorman

Super director remuneration ...

11 months 1 week ago
Anthony Asher

No doubt true, but most of it is still because over 45’s have been upgrading their houses with 30 year mortgages. Money ...

11 months 1 week ago

Jim Chalmers has defended changes to the Future Fund’s mandate, referring to himself as a “big supporter” of the sovereign wealth fund, amid fierce opposition from the Co...

1 day 17 hours ago

Demand from institutional investors was the main driver of growth in Australia’s responsible investment (RI) market in 2023, as the industry continued to gain momentum....

1 day 17 hours ago

In a new review of the country’s largest fund, a research house says it’s well placed to deliver attractive returns despite challenges....

1 day 18 hours ago