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Read this before you go any further.

This page explains why BitcoinSuper exists, what problem it addresses, who it is and is not for, and how to use this site intelligently.

This is not a homepage duplicate. This is orientation and framing.

The problem: retirement outcomes are structurally broken

Most Australians are sleepwalking into underfunded retirement.

Traditional superannuation structures assume steady returns, stable rules, and predictable outcomes. These assumptions are breaking down:

  • 7–9% returns compound slowly over 20–40 year horizons, especially after fees and inflation.
  • Rules change mid-game — tax treatment, contribution caps, and regulatory frameworks shift with political cycles.
  • Inflation is structural — fiat currencies lose purchasing power over decades, eroding real retirement outcomes.
  • Longevity risk is ignored — people are living longer, requiring larger balances to sustain decades of retirement.

None of these guarantee a poor outcome. But ignoring them guarantees you won't notice problems until flexibility is gone.

This is not Bitcoin yet. This is truth about the structural challenges facing retirement planning in Australia today.

The Superannuation Flow

Superannuation has a simple structure: Accumulation → Pension → Legacy.

Accumulation

Growth phase
15% tax on earnings
Long time horizon

↓

Pension

Income phase
0% tax on earnings
Regular withdrawals

↓

Legacy

Estate planning
Beneficiary transfers
Tax considerations

Understanding this flow — and when you transition between phases — determines your retirement outcomes more than contribution amounts alone.

Structural thinking, not performance predictions

BitcoinSuper is about structure, not predictions.

This site does not promise returns. It explains structural properties, trade-offs, and responsibilities. Understanding comes before deciding.

The focus is on process over promises — clear workflows, honest trade-offs, and explicit boundaries about what can and cannot be guaranteed.

If you're looking for performance guarantees or investment pitches, this site is not for you. If you want to understand structure, trade-offs, and responsibilities, you're in the right place.

The three paths

There are three structural approaches to retirement planning in Australia. Each has upsides, constraints, and different risk profiles.

1. Delegate to managed super

Upsides: Professional management, diversification, low operational burden, regulatory oversight.

Constraints: Limited control, opaque valuations, fees compound over decades, rule changes affect you, performance aligns with herd.

Who it's for: People who prefer delegation, want simplicity, trust institutional management, and accept average returns.

2. Run an SMSF with traditional assets

Upsides: Control over asset allocation, tax efficiency, transparency, flexibility within regulatory framework.

Constraints: Trustee responsibilities, compliance costs, operational complexity, still exposed to rule changes, traditional asset returns.

Who it's for: People who want control, can handle responsibilities, have sufficient balance to justify costs, and prefer traditional assets.

3. Bitcoin-centric SMSF

Upsides: Self-custody, fixed supply asset, potential for high returns (historical), independence from intermediaries, tax advantages.

Constraints: High volatility, custody responsibility, technical complexity, regulatory uncertainty, no yield generation, requires long horizon (10+ years).

Who it's for: People with strong Bitcoin conviction, high risk tolerance, technical capability or willingness to learn, long time horizons, and willingness to take responsibility for custody and compliance.

This site focuses on the third path. But presenting all three paths honestly establishes intellectual credibility and helps you understand what you're choosing.

Factor Managed Super Traditional SMSF Bitcoin SMSF
Control Limited High High
Setup Cost $0 $2,000-$4,000 (DIY) or <$1,500 (professional) $2,000-$4,000 (DIY) or <$1,500 (professional)
Annual Cost 0.5-1.5% of balance $3,000-$6,000 (DIY) or ~$1,500 (professional) $3,000-$6,000 (DIY) or ~$1,500 (professional)
Minimum Balance No minimum Typically $200,000+ $20,000+ (viable with Bitcoin CAGR considerations)
Tax Efficiency Standard SMSF rates Standard SMSF rates Standard SMSF rates (15% contributions, 10% CGT)
Complexity Low Medium-High High (technical + compliance)
Risk Profile Diversified, moderate Diversified, moderate Concentrated, high volatility
Time Horizon Any Any 10+ years recommended
Custody Institutional Institutional (traditional assets) Self-custody (your responsibility)

Role boundary

BitcoinSuper explains structure and trade-offs. Execution involves licensed professionals, administrators, and custody specialists. We do not blur those lines.

BitcoinSuper's role:

  • Explain SMSF structure and Bitcoin considerations
  • Document trade-offs and responsibilities
  • Provide educational resources and tools
  • Connect you to qualified professionals when appropriate

What BitcoinSuper does not do:

  • Provide personal financial advice (we are not an AFSL holder)
  • Execute SMSF setup (we connect you to specialists)
  • Provide custody services (we educate on self-custody)
  • Provide tax or legal advice (we refer you to qualified professionals)

Execution support (booking a call) is operational guidance and validation, not financial advice. This boundary protects you, protects us, and maintains clarity.

Clear disclaimers

This site is educational only. It is not financial advice. It is not for most people.

  • Education-only: BitcoinSuper provides information, not recommendations tailored to your circumstances.
  • No financial advice: We are not an AFSL holder. We do not provide personal financial advice.
  • Not for most people: Bitcoin SMSFs are complex, volatile, and require significant responsibility. Most people should stick with managed super.
  • Explicit about who should/shouldn't proceed: See Who This Is Not For for a clear list.
See Who This Is Not For → Use Decision Tree →

How to use this site intelligently

Recommended reading order and what to understand before making decisions.

Step 1: Understand the system

Before Bitcoin enters the picture, understand how superannuation actually works. Read SMSF (How Super Actually Works) to establish the foundation.

Step 2: Understand Bitcoin structurally

Once you understand SMSFs, learn why Bitcoin belongs in accumulation phase. Read Bitcoin (Bitcoin as Capital) for structural explanations, not hype.

Step 3: Understand retirement architecture

Learn how to structure retirement planning with Bitcoin SMSFs. Read Retire (Retirement Architecture) to understand capital by purpose and pension phase planning.

Step 4: Model outcomes

Use the Calculator (Model Your Scenario) to understand how assumptions compound. This is not a prediction tool — it's an intuition builder.

Step 5: Assess risks

Review the Risk Register and FAQs to understand what can go wrong and what cannot be mitigated.

When execution support makes sense

Booking a call is appropriate when:

  • You've reviewed the setup path and want to validate execution details
  • You understand SMSF responsibilities and want operational guidance
  • You want help thinking through custody workflow or documentation
  • You can articulate what you're trying to validate or clarify

Booking is not for: predictions, performance promises, "do it for me" shortcuts, or personal financial advice.

How Super Actually Works → Bitcoin as Capital → Retirement Architecture → Model Your Scenario →

Related Resources

Canonical question pages and comprehensive analysis documents.

Canonical Questions

Comprehensive Analysis

Educational information only. BitcoinSuper does not provide financial advice. See full disclaimers →