“Many non-SMSFs will find it relatively easy to make payment of a death benefit within only a few months if it is fairly straightforward to identify all the potential beneficiaries,” Ms Formica said.

“For SMSFs, the ATO’s general rule of thumb is that six months should be long enough to pay most lump-sum death benefits or get death benefit pensions in place. However, for many SMSFs, the process will take longer than six months.”

The important part, she said, is ensuring the SMSF trustee has valid reasons for any delay beyond six months which could include taking time to seek specialist advice or taking time to determine the validity of any death benefit nominations.

It is also vital that SMSF trustees document those reasons together with why they are still considered within the “as soon as practicable” time frame, she added.

“While it can take time to sell illiquid assets such as properties or investments in unlisted entities, SMSF trustees should bear in mind that they were required to consider the liquidity needs of the fund in the event of benefits needing to be paid when setting the fund’s investment strategy,” she noted.

“For this reason, we understand the ATO will generally not accept long delays in the payment of death benefits due to liquidity needs without other extenuating factors.”

For most SMSFs, Ms Formica said a lump-sum death benefit can be paid by transferring an asset directly to a beneficiary at its market value rather than making a cash payment.

“While this is not without its challenges, it is an option to consider if it is difficult or undesirable to sell the assets for some reason,” she said.

“Note that an in-specie transfer would be considered a disposal of the asset by the fund for capital gains tax purposes, and an acquisition of the asset by the beneficiary for stamp duty purposes — this means an in-specie transfer is generally not a way to avoid any such costs.”

Ms Formica will be speaking further on this topic and other death benefit issues at the upcoming Heffron Super Intensive Day.