The ideal retirement would include a comfortable retirement home, funds to fuel your wanderlust, and enough cash reserves to cover any unplanned or unanticipated expenses. Isn’t that the case?

There is no disputing that Australians enjoy traveling. They can’t get enough, whether it’s in their own backyard or halfway over the world. Can they do it?

With the majority of your younger years spent working and saving for a perfect retirement, it’s essential to have investments in place to cover the years after you hang up your hat.

“Have you given your retirement plans much thought?”

Perhaps you already have a bit of the vast Aussie pie in your possession (600,000 self-managed super funds). Well, there’s always room for more, and it could be time to consider alternative investing options.

A large percentage of super funds participate in both domestic and overseas markets to diversify their portfolio. The Financial and Mining sectors of the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX) are well-known for holding the majority of the cards, accounting for 60 percent of the entire tally. It’s also worth noting that the ASX represents less than 2% of global market capitalization.

With all of the stock market’s ups and downs in the news, I’m sure you’ve longed to be a part of some of the most talked-about stocks. Apple, Facebook, and Google are frequently mentioned in the news, and their names are associated with a high level of trust. The ASX does not list these high-tech stocks. As a result, diversifying your SMSF with international equities might offer fresh flavors to your portfolio.

Let’s take a look at five SMSF tips that can help you empower your SMSF and get you one step closer to the retirement plan you’ve always wanted.

1. Internationalization

SMSF diversification can improve the fundamental parts of any SMSF strategy in addition to expanding exposure to global performance. To some extent, this acts as a shock absorber by spreading out the risk.

Diversification of SMSFs is encouraged for self-managed funds. Investing in international markets would also give you a wider range of options. Individual preference and discretion can be used to determine the degree of diversification. Diversifying across the top 100 stocks in the chosen overseas market will give you a head start.

2. Sources of Income

There are ideally three ways to extend out into the overseas share market if you’re supervising your own SMSF. Direct investment through a bank, broker, or internet trading platform is the first and most straightforward method. Second, you can invest in a managed fund, which pools your money with that of other investors and manages it on your behalf. Finally, exchange-traded funds (ETFs) – these are funds that are listed on a stock exchange and track the returns of a specific market sector – can be used.

3. Keeping current with the times

Managing your own retirement savings might result in a number of external dependencies that must be properly monitored. Staying aware and up to speed with changes in the market environment and superannuation regulations would be a primary mandate. Changes such as the $1.6 million transfer balance cap enacted in 2017 and the downsizer scheme enacted on July 1, 2018, could present both possibilities and risks. Managing your own money would allow you complete discretion over whether or not to act in such a situation. It is necessary to keep informed regardless of your decision.

Staying on top of the events and proceedings that cause tremors on the stock exchanges is essential, especially if you manage your own money. Newspapers, websites, e-newsletters, and media sources all provide both paid and free content to assist you on your journey. But, as they say, “it’s easier said than done.” To prevent becoming overwhelmed, choose a few reliable stocks and review them on a regular basis. Having an accountant, SMSF administrator, or financial adviser to help you with these issues can also make your life easier.

4. Keeping a close eye on the budget

One of the advantages of operating an SMSF fund is that you have complete control over your super. Audit and regulatory fees that are rolled up into compliance requirements are always worthwhile investments. Other costs, such as those imposed on investment products that differ between providers, may not always be worthwhile. As a result, it’s best to be picky about what you pay for and keep a careful eye on your budget.

5. The Fight Between Risk and Return

Diversification of SMSFs, like all financial investments, comes with risk concerns in addition to the return on investment.

Global markets are more volatile than smaller markets due to their scale. As a result, the New York Stock Exchange will experience greater ups and downs than the Australian Stock Exchange.

Because of the time difference, you would not only be paying for your shares with money, but also with your sleep.

Currency swings might potentially cause your financial portfolio to tremble. Any increase in the Australian dollar will have a negative impact on your profits. Your returns, on the other hand, will tell a stronger tale if it’s the opposite way around.

Another important consideration is the tax ramifications of purchasing international stocks. Tax deductions may be available for dividends received. When it comes to specific countries, double taxation is also a worry. The good news is that Australia has tax treaties with over 40 nations, giving you a wide range of options, including giants like the United States, the United Kingdom, and Japan.

However, before you begin investing, you should always obtain financial guidance. A professional’s viewpoint would provide more clarity.