Centaur Financial Services

13/04/2026

What really drives happiness in retirement? 🤔�It’s not just about the numbers — income certainty, confidence, and peace of mind play a big role.

This new Happiness Index from Challenger explores what Australians say actually makes the biggest difference to wellbeing as we age, and why a reliable income matters more than many expect.

Worth a quick read 👇

Challenger and independent research house YouGov conducted the study of over 1,000 Australians aged 60+ to understand their retirement happiness and key drivers.

19/11/2025

Livewire Markets recently asked Hugh how he would design an alternatives portfolio than can generate an 8% return with lower risk and less correlation to equities.

With the volatility over the past few weeks now may be the time to start considering alternatives in your portfolio.

Designed by two seasoned advisers, these portfolios seek strong, reliable returns without the gut-churning volatility of equity markets.

10/08/2025

Hi All, with interest rates going down the team at Livewire markets asked if we could showcase a portfolio that can yield 6%.

Have a look here:

Two advisers. One income challenge. The result? Two unique playbooks for yield hunters you don't want to miss.

08/08/2025

Self-managed superannuation funds (SMSFs) have long been associated with older Australians and small business owners looking for greater control over their retirement savings.

But recent data suggests the sector is undergoing a quiet transformation.

Alongside tax reforms and persistent compliance challenges, younger people are slowly moving into the SMSF space. While 85 per cent of SMSF members are 45 years or older, there’s been significant growth in members aged between 25 and 34 years from just 2.4 per cent two years ago to around 10 per cent now.i

Almost 8,000 new SMSFs were established in the three months to the end of March 2025 with the number of new members increasing by 13,000. Australia’s SMSFs hold an estimated $1.02 trillion in assets with 26 per cent invested in listed shares and 16 per cent in cash and term deposits.ii

A new tax era
The new Division 296 super tax, due to apply from 1 July 2025, is aimed at those with total superannuation balances exceeding $3 million. An extra 15 per cent tax will apply to earnings on the portion of a member’s balance above $3 million, effectively lifting the tax rate on those earnings to 30 per cent.

What makes Division 296 particularly contentious is the inclusion of unrealised gains. For example, a share portfolio the SMSF holds has seen positive returns. Trustees may face tax liabilities on paper profits, even if assets haven’t been sold. This may cause issues for SMSFs holding illiquid assets such as property or farmland that has increased in value.

SMSF Australia and other industry bodies have raised concerns about fairness, complexity and the potential for unintended consequences.

Trustees with high balances should begin planning now before 30 June 2026, to consider asset rebalancing, contribution strategies and the timing of withdrawals. SMSF Australia recommends obtaining advice about your specific circumstances.iii

The advice gap
Despite the increasing complexity of SMSF regulation, the vast majority of trustees continue to operate without professional advice. While the number of SMSFs using financial advisers has grown to 155,000, up from 140,000 in 2023, some 483,000 are not using a financial adviser.iv

This could lead to costly mistakes, especially when navigating contribution caps, pension strategies or related-party transactions. SMSF Australia says that while there’s no legal requirement to obtain advice from a licensed financial planner, “unless you have the skills and expertise to do this yourself, it is certainly conventional wisdom to do so”.v

The compliance burden
Every SMSF must undergo an annual audit by an approved SMSF auditor. This includes verifying the fund’s financial statements and ensuring it is compliant with super laws. Trustees are also required to value all fund assets at market value as at 30 June each year, using objective and supportable data.

For property and other complex assets, valuations can be time-consuming and costly. The ATO recommends using qualified independent valuers when assets represent a significant portion of the fund or are difficult to assess. Auditors may request evidence such as comparable sales, agent appraisals or formal valuation reports.vi

Failure to maintain accurate records or provide sufficient documentation can result in audit delays, contraventions or penalties. Trustees must also ensure their investment strategy is regularly reviewed and documented, particularly when starting pensions or making significant contributions.

Looking ahead
As the SMSF sector evolves, trustees face a dual challenge: adapting to new tax rules and maintaining rigorous compliance. For those considering an SMSF – or already managing one – the message is clear. Getting financial advice can give you peace of mind when the rules are regularly changing.vii

With Division 296 to contend with and a younger demographic stepping in, the sector is poised for both growth and greater scrutiny.

Whether you’re a seasoned trustee or just starting out, now is the time to review your fund’s structure, seek expert guidance and ensure your paperwork is in order. The future of SMSFs may be more dynamic than ever, but it will also demand greater diligence.

Contact us if you have any questions.

i Highlights: SMSF quarterly statistical report March 2025 | Australian Taxation Office

ii Self Managed Superannuation Funds – SMSF quarterly statistical report March 2025 – Data.gov.au

iii Understanding Div296 I How will taxation of unrealised gains work

iv New SMSF trustees propel uptake of financial advice, but $1 trillion sector still has significant advice gaps | Vanguard Australia

v What are the rules for Financial Planners giving SMSF Advice? – SMSF Australia

vi SMSF administration and reporting | Australian Taxation Office

vii About SMSFs | Australian Taxation Office

05/08/2025

If you’re planning to retire, you need to consider:

your age, including if you have reached your preservation age
your super
how much tax you will pay on amounts you receive
if good leaver conditions apply if you are part of an employee share scheme
if the retirement capital gains tax concession applies if you sell your small business.
Special rules apply if you receive an employment termination payment, genuine redundancy payment or payments from an approved early retirement scheme.

If you’re leaving your job for other reasons, such as termination, change of industry or leaving Australia, the tax on payments you receive may be different.

Payments leading into retirement
If you receive a lump sum payment from your employer for unused annual or long service leave, you may pay tax on it at a lower rate than your other income. Your employer will report any lump sum payments at either ‘Lump sum A’ or ‘Lump sum B’ on your income statement or payment summary. You will need these details when you prepare your tax return.

A genuine redundancy payment is a payment made to you usually because the job you have been doing has been abolished. These payments are tax-free to a limit depending on the number of years you worked for that employer.

Your employer may offer staff an early retirement scheme to encourage certain groups of employees to retire early or resign. You may pay less tax on payments you receive under an early retirement scheme.

After you retire
Once you retire, you can access a number of tax offsets, such as:

seniors and pensioners tax offset
superannuation income stream tax offset.
If you have income from an Australian superannuation income stream, you may be able to claim a tax offset if you’re:

receiving a disability superannuation benefit
receiving a death benefit income stream
60 or over.
Employee share schemes
If you are a member of an employee share scheme (ESS), you need to consider the ‘good leaver’ conditions. Good leaver conditions in an ESS may allow employees to retain ESS interests if they cease employment to retire from the workforce permanently during the forfeiture period.

Whether ESS interests acquired under an ESS with good leaver conditions are at a real risk of forfeiture will depend on the facts and circumstances. This includes how the ESS operates and the employee’s personal circumstances.

CGT retirement exemption for small business
If you are selling your small business assets, the capital gains tax retirement concession may apply. The retirement concession can exempt a capital gain on a business asset, up to a lifetime retirement exemption limit of $500,000. This concession allows you to provide for your retirement.

If you choose the retirement exemption, there is no requirement to terminate any activity or cease business.

If you are under 55 years old just before you choose to use the retirement exemption, you must make a personal contribution equal to the exempt amount to a complying superannuation fund or a retirement savings account.

Speak to us if you have any questions.

Source: ato.gov.au June 2025
Reproduced with the permission of the Australian Tax Office. This article was originally published on https://www.ato.gov.au/individuals-and-families/jobs-and-employment-types/working-as-an-employee/leaving-the-workforce/planning-to-retire
Important:
This provides general information and hasn’t taken your circumstances into account. It’s important to consider your particular circumstances before deciding what’s right for you. Although the information is from sources considered reliable, we do not guarantee that it is accurate or complete. You should not rely upon it and should seek qualified advice before making any investment decision. Except where liability under any statute cannot be excluded, we do not accept any liability (whether under contract, tort or otherwise) for any resulting loss or damage of the reader or any other person.
Any information provided by the author detailed above is separate and external to our business and our Licensee. Neither our business nor our Licensee takes any responsibility for any action or any service provided by the author. Any links have been provided with permission for information purposes only and will take you to external websites, which are not connected to our company in any way. Note: Our company does not endorse and is not responsible for the accuracy of the contents/information contained within the linked site(s) accessible from this page.

03/08/2025

We talk to people all day every day about retirement.

It’s not just about savings. It’s about living with purpose, security and freedom.

We can break it down into the 4Ls:

- What you Love doing,
- What Lifestyle you want to live,
- What your Longevity looks like,
- What you want your Legacy to be

When we have all these understood clients find more clarity and confidence which gives greater peace of mind.

If you want us to do a video on how we do this please comment below.

09/06/2025

Check out the smart moves before end of financial year. It doesn’t need to be rocket science to get a good tax saving before June 30.

Don’t forget you may have the ability to make deductible contributions to super. Grow your future wealth and get a tax deduction.

Follow Centaur Financial Services for regular smart financial strategies.

The end of the financial year is an opportunity to optimise your financial strategy, take advantage of tax deductions, and set yourself up for the new

09/06/2025

Our CEO Hugh Robertson was featured in Barron’s Australia podcast recently with Chris Freeman.

They discussed making a tangible impact, embracing the profession and the biggest learning over Hugh’s career.

It’s great to be a proud Gold Coast business that gets this kind of national attention as a leader in the financial planning profession.

At Centaur Financial Services our focus is always on positive client outcomes and building a great team to support that vision.

Hope you enjoy the podcast.

The CEO of Centaur Financial Services predicts that the profession “is only going to rise” as people realize “that they need it and that there is value in it.” Host: Chris Freeman.

02/06/2025

Our Preparing for End of Financial Year podcast is now live!

Join Hugh Robertson, Nick Georgopoulos, and Anthony Mirandilla as they guide you through everything you need to consider before the EOFY - including last-minute super contributions and tax strategies to put you in the best financial position possible.

YouTube: https://youtu.be/joJYyahHXBg?si=ew8DUvYgm72FVMMF
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0P90tisgmbCMelDdO3HOl6?si=4t39JTDVSwG81g34EedtJQ

As always, if you have any questions please contact our team - 07 5559 5760.

In this episode, ⁠Hugh Robertson⁠, ⁠Nick Georgopoulos⁠, and ⁠Anthony Mirandilla⁠ guide you through everything you need to consider before the EOFY – includin...

30/05/2025

Hugh and Tara recently attended The Principals Community Forum 2025, where Hugh shared key global trends in the wealth management industry and highlighted how Centaur is placed to better enable great client outcomes.

Here is a snapshot of the moment!

27/05/2025

Episode 6 of our Retirement Series Podcast is now live!

Our Adviser duo - Anthony Mirandilla and Nick Georgopoulos explore important considerations for retirees regarding their family home and aged care options. From deciding whether to downsize, access equity, or move into aged care, to understanding the financial impacts and government assistance available, they’ll guide you through key decisions. Join Nick and Anthony as they break down the options, costs, and planning strategies that will help you make informed choices for your later years.

You can check out the Podcast here:

YouTube: https://youtu.be/jofRAj-a77A
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6wHe4t5qxzaErhTeFB3R5i?si=A6LUoKwPQfKY5RG_az2Mhg

As always, if you have any questions please contact our team - 07 5559 5760.

Our Adviser duo - Anthony Mirandilla and Nick Georgopoulos explore important considerations for retirees regarding their family home and aged care options. F...

13/05/2025

Ready to wrap up the financial year with confidence?

We’ve put together your go-to guide for preparing for EOFY — with practical tools, key dates, and strategies to help you make the most of your financial situation before 30 June.

Inside the blog:
✔️ Upcoming super legislation changes
✔️ Praemium cut-off dates
✔️ How-to guides for accessing key info on myGov
✔️ Smart strategies to help boost your super
✔️ Easy-to-follow concept cards to bring it all together

It's all about being informed, proactive, and ready.

Click below to read our 2024/25 - End of Financial Year (EOFY) Resources blog now — your future self will thank you!

https://centaurfinancial.com.au/business/end-of-financial-year-resources-2024-25/



As always, should you have any questions, please contact our team - 07 5559 5760.

Our good friends at MLC have provided a plethora of useful End of Financial Year (EOFY) resources to help educate and arm you with all of the