Identifying flaws in BDBNs, pension documents

Naturally, a binding direction in relation to a member’s death benefits can be recorded in various ways.  For instance, nominations in relation to death benefit pensions are commonly recorded in pension commencement documents, reversionary pension nominations and binding death benefit nominations (‘BDBNs’). Each of these documents, if appropriately drafted, can broadly be used to bestow (or in some cases remove) reversionary status on a pension, subject to the terms of the SMSF deed.

But the question must be asked: what happens when there is a conflict or inconsistency between a member’s BDBN and what is set out in their pension/nomination documentation?

Accordingly, this article outlines the key considerations for SMSF members and advisers.

Are the documents binding or otherwise legally effective?

As noted above, SMSF members have the option of making nominations in different ways, including in BDBN and pension documents. However, not all documents are created equally.

There are many document suppliers in the SMSF marketplace, including law firms, non-legal SMSF document firms as well as software providers who increasingly offer free templates via their platforms (at the client’s own risk, of course!).

Therefore, it should go without saying that the specific contents and legal effectiveness of nomination and related SMSF documentation in common usage can vary markedly from one supplier to another. Indeed, SMSF members should proceed with caution before relying on a particular document as part of their SMSF succession plan where appropriate legal input has not been sought.

As a general comment, it should be noted that, at minimum, mandatory language should be present in any purported nomination document which aims to direct the fund trustee in relation to the intended payment of death benefits. More specifically, it is not enough for the documentation to merely record a wish or request. Rather, it must bind and compel the SMSF trustee in express terms to pay to an eligible beneficiary under superannuation law. The nomination document must also comply with applicable formalities and other rules required to make a binding direction on the trustee under the terms of the SMSF deed, e.g., be witnessed by two adult independent witnesses who do not benefit under the nomination. These are surprisingly common points of weakness in SMSF nomination documents!

DBA Lawyers’ general view is that many BDBNs made for SMSFs suffer from drafting deficiencies and other problems stemming from weaknesses in the fund’s deed which leave them vulnerable to challenge. Such problems can generally be avoided or addressed with appropriate expert input from an SMSF law firm. 

Naturally, if there is any doubt, expert advice should be obtained to prepare and settle a member’s SMSF succession planning documentation.

Members and advisers preparing succession planning documents without legal input can be exposing themselves to risk in relation to ineffective or inappropriate documents, as pension and nomination documents are likely to be closely scrutinised by lawyers and other parties after a member’s death.

Does the documentation satisfy the ATO’s standard for automatically reversionary pensions?

For a pension to be automatically reversionary it is not enough that the documentation is binding by virtue of identifying the beneficiary who is to receive the death benefit. This is because the SMSF trustee may still have a discretion in relation to who the pension is to revert to (e.g., if there is a divorce or separation) or how the death benefit is to be cashed (e.g., by way of lump sum and/or pension). 

To be legally effective as an automatically reversionary pension (ARP) nomination, the member’s direction to an SMSF trustee must compel the trustee in relation to the payment of the death benefit as a pension (e.g., to the surviving spouse) and this must have a proper basis in the SMSF deed (see below).

These aspects are critical preconditions for the continuance of a pension as a reversionary pension in accordance with the ATO’s view in TR 2013/5.

Appropriate powers in the SMSF deed

As an SMSF is a special type of trust, it must be borne in mind that trust law applies, subject to certain qualifications. Accordingly, the  starting point is a trustee’s discretionary powers generally cannot be fettered or limited, unless the governing rules expressly provide for such a fetter or limit on exercising powers in relation to the payment of death benefits.

Finkelstein J succinctly summarised the general law position in Fitzwood Pty Ltd v Unique Goal Pty Ltd (in liq) [2001] FCA 1628 ([121]):

Speaking generally, a trustee is not entitled to fetter the exercise of discretionary power (for example a power of sale) in advance: Thacker v Key (1869) LR 8 Eq 408; In Re Vestey’s Settlement (1951) ChD 209. If the trustee makes a resolution to that effect, it will be unenforceable, and if the trustee enters into an agreement to that effect, the agreement will not be enforced (Moore v Clench (1875) 1 ChD 447), though the trustee may be liable in damages for breach of contract …

Naturally, an appropriately drafted SMSF deed and matching nomination would overcome this limitation and allow the SMSF trustee’s discretion to be fettered at the relevant time. 

In DBA Lawyers’ experience, the BDBN rules and powers in a typical SMSF deed are often more robust and likely to have more binding wording than the powers for making pensions automatically reversionary. Accordingly, in many cases the average SMSF deed will not provide an adequate foundation for implementing a binding nomination for an ARP that satisfies the ATO’s strict test in TR 2013/5. While DBA Lawyers do not consider that TR 2013/5 strictly reflects the law, taxpayers should generally adhere to the ATO’s guidance in such matters, e.g., to ensure that any exempt income being claimed by a fund is not adversely affected after a member’s death.

Naturally, this is a general observation only and is subject to the specific SMSF deed being examined.

Inconsistency or conflict between documents

All documentation, including BDBNs, pension documents and nominations, as well as relevant estate planning documentation (e.g., wills and enduring powers of attorney) should be regularly reviewed by an SMSF lawyer to ensure that they are consistent with the member’s wishes.

However, it is not uncommon for there to be patchy documentation with competing wishes and/or directions being expressed by the member that can lead to a lack of clarity regarding which document, if any, prevails. Any potential inconsistency could provide fertile ground for a dispute and ultimately result in lengthy and costly legal battles.

To address this, it is critical that the terms of the SMSF deed provide rules to expressly address conflicts or inconsistency, especially where there is an inconsistency between an ARP nomination and a BDBN.

Based on the observation above that many typical SMSF deeds lack robust and clear, binding powers in relation to ARPs, there is a view that a properly executed and witnessed BDBN is more likely to give rise to a binding direction on the SMSF trustee than an ARP nomination. This view would likely be borne out under many SMSF deeds, particularly where the pension commencement documents are sourced from a non-qualified supplier of legal documents.

Can an ARP nomination defeat a BDBN?

However, an appropriately worded SMSF deed can give priority to an ARP nomination in the case of an inconsistency or conflict with appropriate wording that is sufficiently clear and binding on the trustee.

Indeed, we aware of certain SMSF deeds in circulation which take this approach. In broad terms these deeds provide that:

• the trustee must pay the member’s death benefit in accordance with any BDBN to the extent that there is no reversionary beneficiary in relation to a pension commenced by the deceased member; or
• the BDBN will not apply to benefits which are being paid in the form of a pension to a reversionary beneficiary.

These approaches would produce a different outcome to the one contemplated above in relation to the average SMSF deed which provides an inadequate foundation for an ARP.

Advisers and members preparing pensions or BDBNs on the basis of these deeds (that give priority to a reversionary nomination) need to be mindful that any BDBN made by the member would not deal with their pension interests to the extent that a reversionary nomination is in place. Thus, when preparing a BDBN under one of these SMSF deeds, the ultimate outcome of the nomination would be contingent on whether a legally effective ARP nomination is in place. 

For example, a member who has made a BDBN who subsequently commences a pension with a reversionary nomination has effectively varied their BDBN under this type of SMSF deed, and the BDBN may be undermined.

On the other hand, a member in receipt of a pension that is subject to a reversionary nomination who subsequently prepares a BDBN to reflect their current succession plan could be deeply mistaken in thinking the BDBN deals with all of their pension phase interests.

Thus, it follows that where an SMSF deed gives priority to ARP nominations members cannot have any confidence in a BDBN purportedly dealing with their pension interest(s) unless a full document trail review is undertaken in relation to all pension/nomination documents.

DBA Lawyers has been preparing SMSF deeds, pension documents and BDBNs for more than 25 years and this experience informs our approach to succession planning. Our team of SMSF lawyers are often at the coal face of dealing with costly and protracted legal disputes and we are all too familiar with the war stories. For these reasons, DBA Lawyers’ SMSF deed expressly provides that a BDBN can override an ARP nomination to the extent of any inconsistency.

Conclusions

The above discussion highlights a number of complexities and nuances that should be considered when documenting a member’s SMSF succession planning wishes, including ARPs.

When dealing with death benefits it is critical that clear, consistent and legally effective documents are in place to ensure the entire document trail provides a firm foundation that SMSF members can rely upon.

As discussed above, if there is any uncertainty or inconsistency, the ultimate result may be costly legal battles, deteriorated family relationships, and death benefits ending up in the wrong hands.

Even though reversionary nominations, BDBNs and other similar forms appear to be simple, obtaining quality documentation and advice from a law firm with tax and SMSF expertise can minimise risk, provide much greater certainty and reduce costs in the long run.  Advisers, in particular, who are not qualified lawyers should seek appropriate legal input.

William Fettes, senior associate and Daniel Butler, director, DBA Lawyers