A major study to be launched in Brisbane today revealed that many Queensland family business owners have been pressured to postpone retirement plans by the dramatic fall in the value of their business and their retirement savings.

MGI Brisbane managing director Grant Field said it is not just the global financial crisis that is causing financial and management difficulties for small business but also the laws and regulations that continue to be imposed by the government.

He is calling for all political parties to have a major rethink in their attitudes towards family businesses.

"It seems that the best family business can expect from their politicians is the perennial promise of reduced red tape when a much more substantial response is required," he said.

Australia has two million family business operations, worth $1.5 trillion, and these have been badly bruised by the financial turmoil, according to results of The MGI Australian Family and Private Business Survey 2010.

The survey was undertaken by RMIT University and supported by MGI, a major international accounting firm specialising in advice to family and privately owned businesses.

Family business owners also have to deal with the reduction of the maximum deductible contributions to superannuation for intending self funded retirees over the age of 50, Mr Field said.

"This comes at a time when business values and retirement savings have fallen and therefore substantially reduces the prospect of financial security for family business owners."

In addition, the Australian Taxation Office issued a ruling in June 2010 that will substantially increase the rate of tax payable on earnings retained for business investment by family businesses that have chosen to operate through a Family Trust. This has retrospective elements for the businesses involved.

The Reserve Bank policy requires banks to hold substantially greater reserves of capital to support small family business loans than it does for housing loans.

"The result of these regulations is to skew lending towards housing at a time when family businesses are crying out for support," Mr Field said. "The reduced pool of funds available is increasing the costs to those businesses lucky enough to get funds."

According to The MGI Australian Family and Private Business Survey 2010, 61 per cent of owners were considering selling their operation if approached, although the figure decreased from 75 per cent in 2006.

Meanwhile, the number of owners who did not have enough funds for retirement has increased to 31 from 17 percent on the back of reduced investment values.

Concerns about the future financial performance of the company jumped from 31 to 54 per cent.

Just under half of owners said they would still be working beyond 65 years of age with one third saying they needed the ongoing income or to sell the business to fund retirement.

Succession planning is now a major concern for 20 per cent of businesses, a jump from 9 per cent.

Sons are five times more likely to inherit the business than daughters, with 35 percent of the former involved in the operation compared with 6 per cent of daughters.

MGI is represented by 283 offices in 82 countries and has been operating in Australia and New Zealand for 25 years.