New financial year brings superannuation changes

SBS World News Radio: Australia's superannuation system will experience one of its biggest changes in the new financial year, leaving investors with only months to make the most of existing benefits.

New financial year brings superannuation changes

New financial year brings superannuation changes

Topping up your superannuation now is the main way you can maximise tax benefits before the rules change on July 1.

Currently, any concessional contributions - or contributions made after tax like salary sacrifice - are limited to $30,000 a year for people under 50 years-old.

The annual cap for people over that age is $35,000.

But in the new financial year, those caps will fall to $25,000 regardless of a person's age.

Martin Fahy is the Chief Executive of the industry group, the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia.

"People can take advantage and contribute up to the maximum of the tax concession cap this year, what we say to people though is still the best game in town, it's still the most tax effective way to save for your retirement."

But those benefits are shrinking.

The after tax contributions limit, or non-concessional contributions cap, will go down from $180,000 to $100,000 per year.

These are not taxed.

The so-called 'bring forward rule', which permits combining three years' worth of caps in a single year for things like a windfall or inheritance, will come down from $540,000 to $300,000.

Financial Planner Marshal Brentnall highlights one other major development.

"The other significant change is that individuals that have $1.6 million in superannuation, will no longer be able to make non-concessional contributions."

For those already accessing their super through a tax-free pension account, there'll be a cap of $1.6 million on the total amount being drawn down.

Any amount above that will need to go back into a superannuation accumulation account.

Marshall Brentnall says it may not impact upon too many people.

"That might sound somewhat alarming to some, but the unfortunate reality is that the majority of Australians when they hit retirement age they don't have anywhere near that much money in their superannuation."

What isn't changing is the superannuation guarantee.

That's the compulsory contribution made by employers, currently at 9.5 per cent.

It won't rise until 2021.

These are just some of the changes to be implemented from July 1, so see your financial advisor to make sure your decisions are right for you.

 

 


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Published 23 March 2017 6:00pm
Updated 23 March 2017 6:38pm
By Ricardo Goncalves


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