Founded in 1993 by brothers Tom and David Gardner, The Motley Fool helps millions of people attain financial freedom through our website, podcasts, books, newspaper column, radio show, and premium investing services.
Laura Stewart is a Finance Editor at The Motley Fool, where she covers Australian and international equity markets. She joined the company in 2022, following a career transition from legal advisory work in Southeast Asia into the investment industry.
Prior to her current editorial role, Laura spent three years as an Equity Analyst and Writer, producing investment research across the ASX, NYSE, and NASDAQ. Her coverage included small-cap growth companies, thematic investment ideas, and high-quality U.S.-listed businesses.
Laura holds a Master of Applied Finance and brings additional expertise in accounting, taxation, and estate and wealth planning from her postgraduate studies. She also has a background in law and communications, which supports her analytical and reporting work in financial markets.
Outside of work, she enjoys spending time in the Adelaide Hills with her flock of sheep.
Education
Laura holds a Bachelor of Laws, a Bachelor of Communication (Journalism), and a Bachelor of Commerce with majors in Accounting and Corporate Finance. In 2025, she completed a Master of Applied Finance at the University of Adelaide, receiving postgraduate awards in Accounting Concepts & Methods, Ethical Principles in Accounting & Finance, Real Estate Valuation & Investment, and Tax, Estate & Wealth Planning.
As reported by the ATO, Australia had 680,301 SMSFs holding $1.107 trillion in total estimated assets for 1.2 million members in the June quarter. Among SMSF members, the gender split is roughly even, at 53% male and 47% female.
According to the 2026 ASX Australian Investor Study, interest in starting an SMSF has doubled since 2023. As of 2026, 1 in 5 (20%) of non-SMSF investors are considering starting one within the next 12 months.
I am among that 20%.
I always planned to transition from an industry superannuation fund to an SMSF at some point. However, several factors are persuading me to open one within the next 12 months.
Image source: Getty Images
The SMSF advantage
The Australian superannuation system is often touted as one of the best in the world.
Over the past decade, the median balanced and growth Australian superannuation funds have delivered an average annual return of 7.7% and 8.5%, respectively.
The current superannuation guarantee (SG) in Australia is 12% on ordinary earnings. That means employers must contribute 12% of their employees' wages to their nominated superannuation fund.
Using the midpoint average super fund return of 8.1% and the approximate average Australian salary of $100,000, a 30-year-old Australian could grow their balance to reach $966,628 by the time they reach 65. That is a conservative estimate, given that it assumes no pay rises over the 25-year period.
This means that the average 30-year-old Australian is well positioned to retire as a millionaire if they continue working until 65.
So, what's the appeal of an SMSF?
Primarily, it gives investors the chance to take control of their finances and outperform the benchmark.
Using a slightly higher return of 10% (and holding all else equal), the balance would grow to $1.326 million.
For a 12% return, the 25-year return is $1.879 million. That's almost double what an industry fund would likely deliver (based on past returns).
So, SMSF investors have the chance to significantly outperform and put themselves in an even better position for retirement.
For me, this is an exciting prospect.
But why now?
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