At a time when other commitments are reducing for many, pre-retirees can look to utilise their SMSF to maximise the contributions they make into superannuation.

At this time pre-retirees can take steps to ensure that their SMSF investment portfolio is appropriately structured to support their retirement needs.

Options include:

• Reviewing the mix of growth and defensive assets to minimise the risk of incurring capital losses;
• Seeking investments that provide an element of capital protection;

• Investing in assets that will be able to pay an income in the future;
• Utilising franking credits to minimise any tax paid by the SMSF.