ATO stats show SMSF wind-ups plummet
SMSF wind-ups have seen a significant fall in the March 2015 quarter, particularly when compared with the same quarter last year.
According to ATO statistics, there were only 67 wind-ups in the three months to the end of March 2015, compared with the 866 wind-ups that occurred in the March 2014 quarter.
However, this figure is likely to be updated in future statistical reports as more data is received and processed by the ATO.
Statistics for the past year showed a similar trend, with total SMSF wind-ups falling from 9,589 in the 12 months to 31 March 2014 to 6,652 wind-ups in the 12 months to the end of March this year.
Total establishments also saw a decline, however, with the number of establishments down 24 per cent from 7,868 in the March quarter last year to 5,978 this year.
Total net Australian and overseas assets rose, increasing by $54,711 million from $525.5 billion at the end of March last year to $580.2 billion.
The statistics also indicated there has been a slight shift in the demographics of SMSF trustees, with trustees aged 44 and younger making up a slightly larger proportion of the overall trustee population.
The proportion of SMSF trustees in this age group has more than doubled in the past five years, jumping from around 19.9 per cent in March 2010 to 43.9 per cent at the end of March this year.
Miranda Brownlee
Miranda Brownlee is the deputy editor of SMSF Adviser, which is the leading source of news, strategy and educational content for professionals working in the SMSF sector.
Since joining the team in 2014, Miranda has been responsible for breaking some of the biggest superannuation stories in Australia, and has reported extensively on technical strategy and legislative updates.
Miranda also has broad business and financial services reporting experience, having written for titles including Investor Daily, ifa and Accountants Daily.