In this guide
The 2025 calendar year was yet another big year for SMSF trustees and members, with strong returns punctuated by persistent volatility over concerns about weaker global growth.
International shares were the main driver of strong investment returns, although the Australian share market underperformed due to its low technology exposure.
With continued uncertainty around proposed tax changes to superannuation and ongoing inflationary pressure due to the sharp rise in the cost of living, it is absolutely essential for SMSF trustees to start the new year with a clear and concise investment objective.
As you pause for breath over the summer break, this is a time to start thinking about your financial fitness for the year ahead. While household budgeting may be a focus, don’t forget to prioritise your super as well. If you put in a little effort now to make sure your fund is in good shape, you will reap the benefits over the next 12 months.
So, what are some key resolutions to consider for your SMSF in 2026?
1. Resolve to keep on top of your investment strategy
The beginning of the year is a good time to dust off your investment strategy and consider whether it still meets your needs.
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Is it too conservative? Not conservative enough? Are members approaching retirement and perhaps considering how their super will provide a reliable income stream in the years ahead, as opposed to focusing on growth alone? Are your fund’s asset allocations still appropriate given the changing economic environment and interest rate outlook?
These are all important questions to ask at least once a year. The answers will help you review your investment strategy to make sure it’s appropriate for all your fund’s members.
2. Resolve to rebalance
Once you’ve reviewed and possibly revised your investment strategy, you may need to rebalance your portfolio to bring it into line with your strategy’s stated asset allocations.
Chasing past investment returns from the different asset classes is never a good idea, but making informed investment decisions based on expected market conditions is an important part of an SMSF trustee’s role when rebalancing the fund’s investments.
Gains in certain sectors of the market might mean allocations to other asset classes have fallen below your objectives. It would therefore be a good idea to review all your investments and make sure they tally with the allocations outlined in your investment strategy.
Rebalancing is also something that will be easier if you keep on top of it on a regular basis. This doesn’t mean selling every time something grows in value and exceeds your stated allocations in your investment strategy – as the transaction costs would soon add up – but keeping a monthly tally of how market movements are affecting your asset allocations is one way of keeping on top of it.
3. Resolve to keep insurance in order
As an SMSF trustee, you are required to consider the insurance requirements of the members in your fund. Insurance isn’t mandatory for SMSF members, but if they don’t have insurance, they need to explain why in their fund’s investment strategy.
This explanation can be as simple as a one-line statement (see our investment strategy templates here), but it’s also a good idea to regularly review whether or not you want to have insurance in your SMSF. If you have new members who have moved from larger funds, their insurance requirements and needs may be different from those of other members and will need to be considered separately.
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Find out moreIt’s important to remember that the personal and financial circumstances of SMSF members change over time. For some members, the security or benefits offered through holding insurance products inside super warrants the expense incurred. For others with greater levels of financial security, insurance cover may not be needed.
The important issues are:
- That the SMSF trustees have considered the need for insurance for members
- That there is sufficient and documented evidence to show that it has been considered.
4. Resolve to educate yourself on regulatory changes
Are you on top of all the rules and regulations that apply to SMSFs and how they might apply to the members in your fund?
Keep in mind changes to the super guarantee (SG) from 1 July 2026, referred to as the ‘payday super’ rules. This will require employers to pay their employees’ SG contributions into their super fund within seven business days of each pay day.
For SMSF trustees, this will result in a significant change to the fund’s cashflow and overall cash position, due to the increased frequency of contributions being received. This may require a rethink about the way your SMSF invests its cash holdings.
Also in the mix are proposed changes to the taxation of super fund earnings on member balances above $3 million. This change to the way fund earnings are taxed is referred to as the Division 296 tax rules, with a proposed start date of 1 July 2026.
5. Resolve to boost your balance
In the interests of building your financial fitness, make 2026 the year to focus on boosting your super balance.
You can check your individual concessional (tax-deductible) contribution limits and the contribution amount you may be able to carry forward via your ATO myGov account under the super tab. Make a resolution to salary sacrifice, sell off some assets or do whatever you have to do to reach your contribution limits.
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If you have cash to spare once you have used up your concessional contributions limit ($30,000), you can still make non-concessional contributions up to the annual limit of $120,000 in 2025–26 or up to $360,000 using the bring-forward arrangement if you’re eligible.
You could also be eligible for the downsizer contribution if you are aged 55 or more (there is no upper age limit). If you are eligible, you can contribute up to $300,000 (and up to $600,000 for a couple) into your super account from the proceeds of the sale of your home.
The downsizer contribution doesn’t count towards any of your normal contribution caps. You do need to have owned the home for 10 years or more and it needs to be in Australia and not a caravan, houseboat or other mobile home.
In the current uncertain investment environment, boosting your SMSF balance should be your most important resolution for 2026 to ensure your fund will meet the retirement needs of all its members. These five simple steps will put you on the right path to making the most of your fund.
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