Find out if you’re affected

Many of the people who invested in Shield Master Fund or First Guardian Master Fund didn’t know they were invested in them. So how do you know if you’re affected?

If you have a platform super fund…

1. Check what super fund you’re with

All of the people who invested in Shield or First Guardian through a regular super fund were with one of the super funds in the table below. If you don’t know what fund you’re with, here are some ways to find out:

• Search your inbox for emails from your super fund. Most super funds will email you at least once a year with information about how your investments are going.
• If you’re working, ask your employer which fund they are paying your super into.
• Check with the ATO through the ATO app, by logging in through MyGov or by calling them.

2. Contact your super fund 

If you are in one of the funds in the table below, ask them if you’re invested in Shield or First Guardian.

If you are with Macquarie or Netwealth, you should have received an email or letter from them letting you know that they have agreed to return the money you invested to you. 

If you have a self-managed super fund…

1. How do I know if I have a self-managed super fund?

A self-managed super fund (SMSF) is a fund that you run (or a family member runs) instead of investing with a super fund company. SMSFs have a maximum of 6 members and usually the members are related to each other (family members). The person or people who run the SMSF are trustees and they can control what the SMSF is invested in. They also have to file tax returns and sometimes company returns for the SMSF. There are several ways to find out if you’re in an SMSF:

• Most people who have an SMSF hire an accountant, tax adviser or financial adviser to help them make decisions and file paperwork. If you have an SMSF, you’ve probably dealt with one of these people in the past. You should have received mail or email from them. You can ask them if you have an SMSF.
• If you have an SMSF, you’ll also have a bank account for your SMSF. Check your email or mail for monthly transaction statements from the bank which will have information about the SMSF on them. Macquarie is a common provider of bank accounts for SMSFs.
• If you’re working, ask your employer what type of fund they are paying your super into. 
• Check with the ATO through the ATO app, by logging in through MyGov or by calling them.

2. Check your investments

If you have an SMSF, you will likely also have an investment account (a type of account that lets you or your financial adviser buy and sell different types of investments), sometimes called an investment platform. Your investment account will have information about whether you are invested in Shield or First Guardian. You can:

• Contact your financial adviser to ask them about your investments.
• Log into your platform account to check your investments.