super funds with single share options, page-12

Just my few cents worth...

Australian Super or anyone else like that that give you a limited / delayed option with shares isn't really worth the hassle. Either you want to have the option or not, so either stick with a run of the mill Super Fund like Australian, Industry Funds etc or go self managed, Super Wrap etc if you want flexibility.

I checked The Australian article referred to by BugGold and found "HOW do you fancy the idea of a self-managed super fund without the big price tag that usually comes with it?" quite a joke. It doesn't mention that you are paying Admin fees on the total account balance with the platforms mentioned and I expect with the Industry Funds mentioned too, so it really ISN'T a near alternative to an SMSF or even Masterkey Custom or Navigator is laughable. It was really an ad for (and possibly paid by) Industry Funds.

I agree Tibbs, the funds list via netwealth is pretty comprehensive.

However, I'm confused about the 'safe as a bank' type comment. With netwealth, an Industry Fund or a SuperWrap etc you are relying on the Trustee not to run away with your money (i.e. fraud) which is pretty unlikely (DYOR) I think and MAY be covered by insurance (again DYOR). If you are talking about investments, generally they all invest in the same markets as you and I so it comes down to the quality of those investments. Industry Funds will often have an amount in unlisted investments so can hide from market volatility. Also, they may keep reserves to take a bit from good years to prop up bad ones, which I think is unfair to long-term members.

Netwealth are an administration service, they dont actually hold the investments themselves (maybe their multimanager funds, but I didn't look into them), so what is this 'safety' you are referring to? I'm just curious. This same point applies to the question about short selling. I expect that they would not and could not (legally) unless allowed by the Trustees.

To say netwealth "didn't miss a beat and is backed by some pretty serious money" is a bit confusing...please explain?

lastly, was your reference to the Money M/ment article an inference that they have been the cause of the other managers reduced inflows?

Lastly (and I'm not trying to bag anyone / thing here, just lay out some facts as I perceive them) the platform fees on netwealth seem reasonably in line with many other similar platforms, with the discounts for smsf's using it a possible bonus, but that's only at a cursory glance. Please do your own research and I'll sit back and await the barrage.

Cheers

Lindso