Super could help address financial stress for drought, bushfire victims
SMSF professionals with rural clients could look at using super assets in some cases to help with any financial hardship clients are experiencing as a result of the current drought and bushfire crisis, according to an SMSF administrator.
Practical Systems Super SMSF specialist Bob Locke told SMSF Adviser the group had seen a rising incidence of queries from clients around whether it was possible for assets within their SMSF to be used to assist with living expenses as a result of the drought or property destruction due to bushfire damage.
Mr Locke said while there were strict rules around the use of such assets prior to retirement age, if rural clients could prove severe financial hardship it could be possible to access a portion of super to supplement any emergency payments being received.
“Super legislation recognises that there can be legitimate situations where release of monies before the intended time may be appropriate,” he said.
“These include compassionate grounds to cover items such as medical expenses, home modifications to cater for disability and housing loan payments to prevent foreclosure; severe financial hardship for amounts up to $10,000 in any year; [and] transition to retirement provided the person has reached their preservation age.
“As an example, farmers who may have been receiving the Farm Household Allowance benefit for at least six months may qualify for severe financial hardship.”
Mr Locke said depending on the age of a client, commencing a transition to retirement pension could also be an appropriate strategy to help rural clients through the drought season, as they could look at making additional contributions back to their super after drought conditions had passed.
“Another example may be older farmers who are cash-strapped due to ongoing fodder costs in maintaining breeding stock,” he said.
“One option for them might be to instigate a transition to retirement payment from their fund to temporarily assist with living expenses until the drought breaks. The intention would be to top up their super balances once conditions return to normal.”
