Date: Thursday, 11 June 2026

Time: 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm AEST

Cost: Free to Attend

In the SMSF space, a poorly executed Death Benefit Nomination (DBN) is a ticking time bomb. With legal precedents increasingly favouring the literal interpretation of the Trust Deed over the member’s “intent,” the margin for error has disappeared. If the paperwork doesn’t align perfectly with the deed, the consequences—litigation, family disputes, and unintended tax outcomes—are severe.

Join Aaron Dunn and Chris Hill from Hill Legal for an essential technical briefing on managing the risks inherent in DBNs. We will move beyond the “standard” forms to explore the critical nuances that determine whether a nomination stands or falls in court.

What we will cover:

• The Cost of Inconsistency: Analysing recent legal precedents where minor administrative oversights led to the total invalidation of a member’s wishes.

• Navigating the Nuance: Why different DBN types (Non-Binding & Binding including non-lapsing) aren’t one-size-fits-all, and the specific risks associated with each in different client scenarios.

• Engineering Certainty: How the Smarter SMSF Deed and BDBN are specifically built to mitigate risk, providing a robust legal framework for complex estates and blended families.

• The Battle of Priorities: Identifying the high-risk overlap between Reversionary Pensions and BDBNs—understanding which takes priority and how to avoid conflicting instructions.

• The SMSF Will: When “standard” isn’t enough—understanding the role of the SMSF Will in providing an extra layer of protection and clarity.

This session is designed to help you unpack the complexities of death benefits and provide you with a “Smarter” roadmap to ensure your clients’ legacies are protected and your firm’s risk is managed.

Your presenters

Registration

Don’t leave your client’s death benefits to chance. Register today to master the nuances of DBN compliance.