Many self-managed super fund investors aim to accumulate enough wealth to generate a $1.7 million tax-free pension (soon to be $1.9 million) at retirement. But when that goal is nearing, it becomes crucial to explore alternative wealth-holding options, especially in light of the government’s plan to add extra tax for superannuation funds with more than $3 million.

Consider your wealth management strategy as a jigsaw puzzle. In retirement, you can hold your wealth in super in a pension or accumulation account, while outside super you can hold wealth personally, jointly with your partner or through a trust or company. However, government rule changes can disrupt this carefully arranged configuration.