Twenty-four per cent of trustees surveyed said keeping track of changes to SMSF rules and regulations is their most difficult task, with paperwork and administration following closely at 23 per cent.

Twenty-seven per cent said investment selection was their most difficult task in running their fund, and 19 per cent of trustees cited their most difficult task as finding time to research investments.

However, 76 per cent of those surveyed have made at least one new investment for their SMSF during the last 12 months. Thirty-five per cent had made between two and five investment changes and 16 per cent had made between six and 10 changes.

“More than half the respondents to our survey said they set up an SMSF because they wanted more control of their investments and yet they identify investment selection as their most daunting task,” said AMP Capital head of self-directed wealth and SMSF Tim Keegan.

“It is also a task they largely do on their own: 44 per cent stated they make all the investment decisions for their fund, 23 per cent said decisions are made together with another member and 17 per cent make joint decisions with their financial adviser.

“The research again highlights the opportunities for financial advisers in the SMSF space. There is a segment of trustees who want advice, particularly in relation to finding the right mix of investments in order to meet their goals."

The research also found long-term aspirational goals drove most of surveyed trustees’ investment decisions ahead of a need to fund additional personal goals and to meet day-to-day living expenses.

Of those trustees who felt their goals were not being met, 48 per cent would change the mix of investments while 27 per cent would seek advice from a financial adviser, the research stated.