ATO Super Statistics

The ATO has just published its quarterly statistical report for self managed superannuation funds.   The report is based upon the December 2018 financial quarter.

Headline points are:

• Total number of SMSFs is now almost 600,000 (actual figure is 597,009)
• Total number of members in SMSFs is over 1,125,000 (actual figure is 1,127,304)
• Total estimated value of assets held by SMSFs – $726 billion.

Interesting features include:

• New SMSF established during the 12 months to 30 June 2018 – were 25,458
• SMSFs wound up during the 12 months to 30 June 2018 – were 18,580
• Net increase in SMSFs for the 12 months to 30 June 2018 – was 6,878
• 12 months to 30 June 2018 experienced the lowest nett increase in SMSFs
• The value of SMSF assets being “Collectables and personal use assets” category has experienced a slow decline from $441m (June 2014) to $365m (June 2018)
• The value of SMSF assets being “Limited recourse borrowing arrangements” has marginally increased over the June 2107 quarter to December 2018 quarter from $41.1b to $42.8b
• While the value of SMSF assets being “Limited recourse borrowing arrangements” doubled over the 12 quarters, to the June quarter 2017, from $15.5b to $30b there was a 33% increase in the June 2017 quarter alone. 
• The value of total borrowings by SMSFs (almost exclusively associated with limited recourse borrowing arrangements) has been relatively stable since the June 2016 quarter at about $23b.