Retirement is a major transition — not just in day-to-day routine, but in financial structure and mindset. For many, it also includes the decision to wind down a Self-Managed Super Fund (SMSF). Whether you’re facing rising compliance costs, changes in health, or simply want a simpler investment life, understanding how to handle your SMSF assets, especially issuer-sponsored shares is key.
If your SMSF holds issuer-sponsored shares (shares held directly at a company’s share registry under an SRN instead of via a broker) then you may find traditional brokers or platforms don’t always cater for that scenario. That’s where Unbroker steps in: we specialise in sales of issuer-sponsored holdings and support retirees and SMSF trustees with tailored, efficient solutions.
Why Winding Down Your SMSF Often Makes Sense
There are several reasons why retirees choose to wind down their SMSF:
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Cost efficiency: As the fund’s assets reduce (for example as members retire or draw from the fund), the benefit of managing an SMSF may diminish relative to compliance, audit and administration costs.
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Regulatory challenges: Super rules evolve, audits and reporting requirements grow more complex. A trustee nearing retirement may prefer fewer administrative demands.
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Personal circumstances: Health changes, a shift in lifestyle, cross-border living or simply wanting to reduce involvement can all prompt a move to a simpler structure.
When you decide the time is right to wind down, a major step is disposing of your assets. If part of your SMSF’s holdings is issuer-sponsored shares, you’ll want to make sure they’re handled properly so you don’t carry complexity into retirement.
Selling Issuer-Sponsored Shares from Your SMSF
If your SMSF holds issuer-sponsored shares (held on an SRN rather than a broker’s HIN), it’s important to recognise: many brokers or platforms don’t specialise in these. At Unbroker, we do. We’ve designed our process specifically to simplify these transactions for SMSFs, trusts and retirees — so you get in, dispose, move on, and simplify.
Our Four-Step Process
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Online Share Sale Form
You supply the SRN for your holding — that tells us which shares, how many and where they’re registered. -
Trust / SMSF Documentation
Upload a certified copy of your trust deed (cover, schedule, and execution pages only) to show the legal entity and trusteeship. -
ID Verification
Each trustee completes an online identity check — fast, secure and compliant. -
Efficient Transaction Timeframe
Once verified, we sell the shares on-market and typically finalise the transaction within one to two business days for the sale (from approval to trade).
Key Benefits for Retirees
Choosing to liquidate issuer-sponsored shares through Unbroker offers multiple benefits in the context of winding down your SMSF:
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Financial flexibility: You free assets and convert them to cash which can be used for investment, lifestyle or drawdown.
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Risk reduction: Disposing and consolidating holdings reduces exposure to individual company risk or needless ongoing management.
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Strategic reinvestment: By converting to cash you can reposition the funds into income-oriented or simpler structures aligned with your retirement goals.
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Simplicity: Less paperwork, no ongoing fund management, fewer moving parts means more time to focus on your retirement goals rather than admin.
Final Thoughts
Winding down your SMSF and disposing of issuer-sponsored shares might seem complex — but with the right partner it doesn’t have to be. Unbroker understands the unique needs of senior Australians and SMSF trustees. Our execution-only model, tailored for issuer-sponsored share sales, means you can exit smoothly, stay compliant and transition to retirement with fewer burdens.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes — if your shares are issuer-sponsored and registered in your personal name, you can sell them online without opening a trading account. For more information click here.
Yes — shares registered in joint names can be sold online through Unbroker, as long as both shareholders complete the ID verification process.
100 points of ID is a document-based identity check used in Australia. You’ll need to provide certified copies of documents—like a passport, licence, or utility bill—that add up to 100 points. For more information on 100 points of ID click here.
If your shares are issuer-sponsored and you have the SRN, you can sell them quickly online using Unbroker—no trading account required. For more information click here.
Yes — if your shares are issuer-sponsored, you can sell them online through Unbroker without opening a trading account or using a full-service broker.
Yes — if you're acting under a valid Power of Attorney, you can sell issuer-sponsored shares through Unbroker by providing the required documents and ID. For more information click here.
An SRN identifies shares held directly with a share registry, while a HIN is used for shares held through a broker. Unbroker can only sell shares registered with an SRN. For more, click here.
Yes — if you’re acting as an executor or legal representative for an Estate, you can sell issuer-sponsored shares from through Unbroker by providing the required estate documents and ID. For more information on selling shares belonging to an estate click here.
That’s fine — both shareholders can authorise the funds to be paid into one person's account using a signed authority form provided by Unbroker.
A one-off share sale lets you sell issuer-sponsored shares without opening a trading account or using a full-service broker — perfect for casual or one-time sellers.
Unbroker specialises in one-off share sales — no trading account, no upsells, and no ongoing fees. We're built for people who just want to sell and move on. For a detailed comparison click here.
Most share sales settle within one to three business days — including ID verification, trade execution, and payment. Ubroker offers same-day sale and settlement, enabling you to receive your funds one business day after the sale. For more information on sales and settlement timelines click here.
Yes — if you have your SRN and ID, you can sell issuer-sponsored shares through Unbroker without logging into the registry. Click here for more information.
Yes — if the shares are registered in the company’s name, they can be sold through Unbroker with the proper documentation and ASIC verification.
Yes — if the shares are registered in the name of your trust or SMSF, you can sell them through Unbroker by providing the deed, trustee ID, and other required documents.
Yes — if your ESS shares are issuer-sponsored and registered in your name, you can sell them through Unbroker without needing a trading account. For more information on selling shares from an ESS click here.
Yes — as an overseas resident, you can sell issuer-sponsored shares through Unbroker by posting original certified ID and a signed authority form.
We’re required by law to verify the identity of each registered shareholder before processing a sale — it helps prevent fraud and ensures compliance with ASIC and anti-money laundering regulations. For more information on ID verification click here.
Your SRN is usually found on a holding statement or letter from the share registry — it’s required to sell issuer-sponsored shares through Unbroker.
Yes — as long as you're using a licensed and compliant provider like Unbroker. We verify all sales, protect your information, and never ask for upfront payments.
Yes — as a parent or legal guardian, you can authorise the sale of shares held by a minor by providing certified ID and signing an authority form.
Yes — as long as your IPO shares are issuer-sponsored and no longer subject to escrow, you can sell them through Unbroker without needing a trading account.
If you’ve lost your holding statement, you’ll need to contact the share registry to request a replacement. Once you have your SRN, you can sell your shares through Unbroker.
Yes — as long as you can provide certified evidence of the name change (e.g. marriage certificate or name change certificate), Unbroker can help process your share sale.
You’ll also need 100 points of ID in your current legal name, along with your SRN.
Yes — you don’t need a TFN to sell your shares through Unbroker.
However, if no TFN is recorded on your shareholding, the registry may withhold tax from any dividends you’ve received. This doesn’t affect the sale itself.
If the shareholder can’t sign, someone else may be authorised to act under a valid Power of Attorney or court order. We’ll need certified documents confirming their authority before we can proceed.
