An SMSF paying an account-based pension requires an actuarial certificate if the assets supporting the pension is not segregated from other assets in the SMSF. An actuarial certificate will determine the portion of income that is tax exempt. Where the assets are segregated, no actuarial certificate is required for eligibility for income tax exemption. Superannuation Warehouse, thereby, recommends going for this approach to save fees in the SMSF. An actuarial certificate cost around $300.