Unfortunately, the income from assets supporting a TRIS is no longer exempt from tax from 1 July 2017 (unless the member has reached age 65, or has otherwise satisfied a full condition of release and notified the trustee of the SMSF in writing).

However, it is important to remember that there are several benefits that can still be obtained from the payment of a TRIS.  As a starting point, commencing a TRIS allows a member to access their superannuation while continuing to work, which can of course assist with cash flow needs (e.g., mortgage repayments and ongoing cost of living). In addition, accessing superannuation under a TRIS in combination with a salary sacrifice strategy can be very tax-effective, particularly for members above age 60.

Not only that, but the ‘proportioning rule’ still applies when a TRIS is commenced.  That is, TRIS accounts are subject to the proportioning rule in exactly the same way as ABPs even if the TRIS is not in ‘retirement phase’.  Therefore, the tax-free proportion of the pension interest will be ‘locked in’ on commencement, allowing the tax-free component to grow with fund earnings (i.e., in proportion to the taxable and tax-free components of the TRIS on its commencement), or even, potentially, the receipt of life insurance proceeds (i.e., where insurance premiums have been paid from a TRIS account comprising a significant tax-free component).

Advisers should therefore carefully consider a client’s individual circumstances before dismissing the use of a TRIS for retirement planning purposes.

Don’t forget that advising a client to start a pension is considered ‘financial product advice’. If you are not licensed, you may still order these documents on behalf of your client if your client has simply instructed you to do so, but it will be important to retain records that make it clear that you have not provided any financial product advice in this regard.

Further information can be found under the SMSF Pensions section in NTAA Corporate’s online knowledge base.

For help starting a pension watch this step by step video guide to ordering an ABP or TRIS online.

Article by Riley Jones, Legal Counsel, NTAA Corporate.