Limitations around superannuation contributions have given way to gearing in SMSFs, according to the Commonwealth Bank.
Gearing now plays a greater role in the wealth creation process for trustees, according to Moghseen Jadwat, the Commonwealth Bank's head of business development for structured investments.
Jadwat said the rapidly increasing growth of the SMSF market was driving demand for protected lending.
"Employing a conservative gearing strategy under a protected loan can result in an SMSF gaining double the exposure of their super contribution," Jadwat said.
"Generally, an SMSF will get a net tax benefit from a protected loan…this is in addition to the enhanced exposure and potential returns," he added.
The bank said the growth of SMSFs could continue to the point where SMSFs may represent a bigger sector than industry super funds or retail super.
The fund has achieved double-digit returns amid market volatility, reinforcing the value of long-term investment strategies for its members.
Australian super funds notched a third consecutive year of strong returns, with the median balanced option delivering an estimated 10.1 per cent over the 2024-25 financial year, but an economist has warned that the rally may be harder to sustain as key risks gather pace.
AustralianSuper has reported a 9.52 per cent return for its Balanced super option for the 2024–25 financial year, as markets delivered another year of strong performance despite the complex investing environment.
The profit-to-member super fund’s MySuper default option has returned 9.85 per cent for the financial year 2024–25.