Out of the comfort zone

Self-managed super funds (SMSFs) are in some ways the hermits of retirement investing due to their strong preference for staying at home and avoiding the rest of the world. But is all as it seems, and how have they fared during Covid-19?

SMSFs are the do-it-yourself alternative to retail and industry funds, a flexible investment structure that allows you to invest in virtually anything, from direct property to collectables, subject to various rules.

But their popularity is waning. Only 20,028 SMSFs were set up last year, which may seem like a lot but it’s far less than the 2012 peak of 42,033.

Trying to lump them all together is a fool’s errand.

“It’s hard to pigeonhole