The short answer is yes, SMSFs can absolutely invest in gold. What’s more, a lot of funds already hold gold assets as part of their long-term investment strategy.
Gold investments are often seen as a way to preserve and protect wealth, essentially as a hedge against inflation. Rightly or wrongly, gold is also perceived to be a ‘safe haven’ asset during times of geopolitical and market turbulence, hence its popularity with some SMSF trustees.
Of course, any investment held within an SMSF must be held in line with the fund’s overall investment strategy.
If you are considering an investment in gold through your SMSF, then you need to be aware of the compliance requirements and obligations which differ depending on your chosen investment option.
Gold investment options
There are many ways to gain an exposure to gold as an investment through your SMSF. These include:
Free eBook
SMSF investing essentials
Learn the essential facts about the SMSF investment rules, how to create an investment strategy (including templates) and how to give your strategy a healthcheck.
"*" indicates required fields
Buying shares in gold mining companies
By purchasing shares in gold mining stocks, you gain exposure to gold as an investment without actually owning physical gold.
The asset owned by your SMSF is shares in the mining company and the value of your SMSF investment will increase and decrease in line with the share price of that mining company.
There may be a possibility for your SMSF investment to get a boost where the company’s mining operations become more efficient or where they may strike new gold reserves.
However, investment in gold mining shares is not a ‘pure’ investment in gold. There is also the risk associated with the operations of a mining business that can have a negative impact on your investment returns.
SMSF trustees should also consider the ‘market risk’ inherent with all share investment whereby the price of any stock can be affected by movement in the overall market.
Investing in gold certificates
SMSFs can access gold as an investment through gold certificates offered by the Perth mint here in Australia and also through offerings from other non-government entities.
As an alternative to taking possession of the physical gold, investors are issued with a gold certificate that sets out the amount of gold the investor has acquired. The issuer then holds the gold in storage on behalf of the investor.
Some gold certificates are issued on an unallocated basis, meaning that there is no specific gold identified and allocated to the investor. Instead, investors hold a share in an overall pool of gold resources.
Investors can also purchase allocated gold certificates where, as the name suggests, you have an identifiable allocation of gold held for you. Allocated gold certificates come with a premium and are usually much more expensive.
SMSF trustees need to understand there is a risk associated with this type of gold investment as you are relying on the financial viability of the issuer.
Gold certificate investors pay a charge for the issuing of the certificate and also need to pay a transaction commission based on the value of the gold purchased and then sold.
Investing in gold ETFs
You can also buy gold specific exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that track the price of gold. These ETFs can be traded on approved stock exchanges making the buying and selling process relatively simple.
Super knowledge is a super power
"*" indicates required fields
ETF management fees and trading costs need to be considered when using an ETF to invest in gold.
Buying physical gold
Investors can purchase physical gold, such as bullion or gold coins from gold dealers or through the mint, which allows you to take physical possession of the gold assets.
Over time, the value of the SMSF asset would increase or decrease in line with the value of gold prices.
SMSF trustees who invest this way would then be responsible for the storage and security of these assets and the added requirement of meeting the specific compliance requirements for ‘collectables’.
SMSF rules to consider
Specific investment rules apply when SMSF trustees invest in assets that fall within the definition of ‘collectable and personal use assets’.
These ‘collectables’ rules were introduced to ensure that assets held in an SMSF are only being held for retirement purposes, and not to provide any current day benefit.
The list of specific assets that are caught under these rules includes coins and medallions where their market value exceeds their face value. The list also includes jewellery.
So, if your SMSF holds gold jewellery or gold coins, then you need to adhere to the specific set of rules, including:
- The asset must not be stored or displayed in the private residence of an SMSF member or related party.
- The decision on where these items are stored must be documented and kept as a written record.
- The asset must be insured in the SMSF’s trustees names within seven days of being acquired.
- The asset must be valued at market value when preparing your fund’s annual accounts and financial statements and must be valued by an independent expert if transferred or sold to a member of your SMSF or a related party.
Surprisingly, gold bars or bullion would not usually be caught under the collectable rules. Even so, SMSF trustees still need to consider all other trustee obligations around securing the assets of the fund.
A 5-step guide for SMSF gold investing
- Have a clear understanding of the options available for SMSFs to invest in gold. Asess the benefits and risks of each option and any affect that these could have on the members of the fund.
- Review your SMSF investment strategy and make sure that it allows for the appropriate investment in gold assets.
- If you are investing in gold mining shares, make sure the investment strategy allows for direct share investing.
- If you are investing in direct gold assets, make sure that these assets are allowed. Also make sure you understand and comply with the requirements associated with ‘collectables’.
- If needed, update your investment strategy before making any investment.
- Review your SMSF trust deed for any fund specific rules or restrictions on investments. Have a clear understanding of any relevant trust deed requirement.
- Use reputable providers to manage and reduce risk.
- Review your gold investments on a regular basis. Are these investments still in line with the fund’s overall investment strategy and also in line with the retirement objectives of the members?
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.