Determination Compendium

It has been suggested that paragraph 16 may be improved to clarify the proviso and better lead into paragraph 17 by changing the paragraph to insert wording (underlined) as follows:

16. Due to section 59 not applying to SMSFs it is possible, consistent with the SISA and SISR, for the governing rules of an SMSF to permit a member to make a binding death benefit nomination in a different manner and form to that set down in regulation 6.17 of the SISR , however, that death benefit nomination will not be binding on the trustee to the extent that it nominates a person who cannot receive a benefit in accordance with the operating standards in the SISR .

It is considered appropriate that this paragraph 2 wording also appear in the Appendix 1 Explanation. It is also considered appropriate that it follows on immediately after the paragraph 16 statement so as to lead into the SISR operating standards discussion in paragraphs 17 to 26.

It has been suggested that the use of the word 'different' in that paragraph 16 may be the cause of such an interpretation and that the wording should make it clear that it is permissible for an SMSF to have binding death benefit nomination procedures that mirror regulation 6.17A.

However, it is considered appropriate to specifically make the link that SISR regulation 6.17A is the regulation made for the purposes of subsection 59(1A).

In this regard, it is considered appropriate to insert wording (underlined) into the first sentence of paragraph 14 as follows:

14. The content of regulation 6.17A of the SISR , the regulation made for the purposes of subsection 59(1A ), confirms this view.

This change results in paragraphs 13 to 15 more directly indicating why regulation 6.17A of the SISR does not apply to SMSFs. In this regards it clarifies the situation that regulation 6.17A does not apply to SMSFs because it is the regulation was made for the purposes of subsection 59(1A) which is a provision which does not itself apply to SMSFs.

The context of the suggestion made is the view put forward that, subject to an appropriately structured trust deed, if a non-lapsing but revocable binding death benefit nomination was not possible under section 59, then, again subject to an appropriately structured trust deed, section 58 of the SISA permitted a non-lapsing but revocable binding death benefit nomination to be made by a member of an SMSF.

Section 58 of the SISA requires that 'the governing rules a superannuation entity, other than a superannuation fund with fewer than 5 members ... must not permit a trustee to be subject, in the exercise of the trustee's powers under those rules, to direction by any other person'.

Section 58 of the SISA clearly has no application to SMSFs as such funds have, by definition, fewer than 5 members. As such it is also clear, even if it could be considered that a binding death benefit nomination involves a trustee being subject to direction in terms of section 58, that section 58 does not prohibit the governing rules of an SMSF from permitting SMSF members to make binding death benefit nominations.

As indicated by the title, the purpose of the Determination is to clarify whether there are any SIS legislation restrictions on an SMSF trustee accepting a binding death benefit nomination from a member. In this regard, the particular SIS issue which has been considered less than clear and thus requiring clarification is whether section 59 of the SISA and/or regulation 6.17A of the SISR applies in relation to SMSFs. That section 58 of the SISA does not apply to SMSFs does not require clarification.

Further, as the Determination takes the view the restrictions provided by way of section 59 of the SISA and/or regulation 6.17A of the SISR do not apply to SMSFs there is no need to consider whether the non-application of section 58 of the SISA to SMSFs can be relied on in order that the governing rules may permit a binding death benefit nomination to be made outside the restrictions of section 59 of the SISA and/or regulation 6.17A of the SISR (e.g. a non-lapsing nomination).

In this regard, it is suggested that the text appearing at paragraph 12 in the 'Explanation' section of Appendix 1 of the Determination should also be included in the Ruling itself (at paragraph 1).

12. A member can make a death benefit nomination that is a binding direction on the trustee of an SMSF if that is provided for in the governing rules of the fund.

This sentence appears at paragraph 12 of Appendix 1 in order to set the context for the discussion on the SIS legislation requirements that are set out in the paragraphs that follow it (i.e. paragraphs 13 to 26).

While the statement at paragraph 12 sets the context of that discussion it does not in any way provide the answer to the question posed by the Determination which is purposely restricted to the application of SIS legislation.

As indicated in the Preamble to SMSFD 2008/D1, SMSF Determinations provide the Commissioner's view about the way in which provisions of the SISA, or regulations under that Act, apply to superannuation funds that the Commissioner regulates.

Accordingly, it is not considered appropriate for the text of paragraph 12 to also appear in the Ruling.

Meaning of legal personal representative
The term 'legal personal representative' is defined in subsection 10(1) as: 'the executor of the will or administrator of the estate of a deceased person, the trustee of the estate of a person under a legal disability or a person who holds an enduring power of attorney granted by a person'.

In this regard, while acknowledging the general explanation provided in paragraph 5 of Appendix 1, it has been indicated that greater background and explanation should be given on the application of trust law as it applies to SMSFs with comments on the following areas being provided:

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General trust law principles relating to the making of discretionary decisions by trustees.

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Situations where the courts may interfere with discretionary decisions made by a trustee.

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Other obligations trustees are obliged to observe. In this regard, it has been indicated that drawing attention to and explaining the operation of the Trustee Acts of each state and territory will assist the SMSF trustee in making discretionary decisions on binding death benefit nominations.

As indicated in the Preamble to SMSFD 2008/D1, SMSF Determinations provide the Commissioner's view about the way in which provisions of the SISA, or regulations under that Act, apply to superannuation funds that the Commissioner regulates.

The discussion at paragraphs 5 and 6 is considered sufficient in providing background context to the explanation set out in the Determination on the application or otherwise of relevant SISA and SISR provisions.