Most Australians are looking at a return of 3-4% from a Retail Super Fund falls short of the retirement dream Australians were looking forward to.

Putting extra into a Super Fund is recommended and many Australians are even taking it a step further with a self managed super fund or SMSF.

With a self-managed super fund Australia you can take control of your Super and manage it yourself for better returns. You can adopt strategies that will generate a good sized nest egg for retirement. Using Super to invest in property for example may provide up to 12% returns.

Between the year of 2008 and the year 2012, the value of real properties held by SMSFs grew from $40 billion to over $55 billion. This trend is likely to continue in the years to come. Buying an investment property or properties may provide you with positive monthly returns equating to much more than what you get from an existing industry or retail super fund.

With a Self Managed Super Fund it does have to be managed. Decisions need to be made on what to do with it. SMSF's may not suit everyone as there is a degree of time and some skills required. It is a good idea to get professional advice. It is extremely important to understand the risks and the laws involved with managing your own Super and how to measure those risks for the greatest financial benefit and Mortgage Reduction in the long term.

SMSF's saving for retirement

The key principal of running a self managed super fund investments is for the sole purpose of providing retirement benefits to its members. There are laws and compliance regarding the setting up of an SMSF and the income of an SMSF is taxed at a concessional rate as long as it is compliant.

Trustees of the fund will have administrative obligations keeping a record of all transactions. Members can only access the funds once a member has reached the age of 'preservation'. However there are some circumstances contrary to this rule.

Becoming a confident investor

If you find you have the assets, skills and time required to make Mortgage Investment decisions and develop an appropriate investment strategy and can meet all your obligations as a trustee of your fund, then there is a very good chance your Self Managed Superannuation Fund can do very well providing the desired and required funds for your retirement.