International shares were the most popular alternative investment, with 61.6 per cent of respondents saying that their share portfolio will shift to foreign markets.

SuperConcepts chief executive Natasha Fenech said that this is a big concern for the ASX, local companies contemplating the cost of capital from overseas sources and for the future ownership of local firms if it’s no longer viable for locals to invest.

“Managed funds, term deposits, fixed interest and property attracted between 27 per cent [and] 25 per cent of respondents’ interest as an alternative to Australian shares that pay fully franked credits. Three per cent of responders were unsure of what action they would take, but mostly viewed the proposal as something that would impact them negatively.”

Closing an SMSF was also a serious consideration if Labor’s policy proposal succeeds at the 2019 election.

“It is concerning that 14.5 per cent of respondents are thinking of closing their SMSF as a result of this policy which doesn’t apply tax policy consistently to individuals across different superannuation structures, while 1.4 per cent thought that they might withdraw their super and go to an aged pension,” Ms Fenech said.

“SMSFs play a critical role in the super sector to provide choice and competition against industry and retail funds, and it’s clear that everyone benefits from the competition as it keeps fees in check when consumers have adequate choice in the market.”

Ms Fenech said that it was one of the most pressing election issues facing SMSFs in pension phase, with 66.8 per cent of respondents viewing the proposal as something that will impact them a great deal and only 4 per cent believing that it will have little or no effect on their SMSF.