Here’s a brief summary of the rules for 2018/19:
Concessional contributions (which include self-employed and/or personal deductible contributions, employer contributions and salary sacrifice contributions) are now limited to $25,000 per annum. Note that if you have been contributing above this level, consult your financial planner and review any contribution and transition to retirement strategies so you don’t exceed the limit for 2018/19.
Please note if you are aged 65 to 75, you must pass a work test to be eligible to contribute to super. People aged more than 75 are not eligible to make personal contributions.
This financial year there are further restrictions on being able to make personal non-concessional contributions to super (i.e. contributions for which you do not receive a tax deduction).
Those people with more than $1.6 million in super are not allowed to make any more non-concessional contributions. For people with less than $1.6 million in super, you could invest up to $100,000 per annum.
If you are under age 65 and have less than $1.4 million in super, you can bring forward up to two years of non-concessional contributions meaning you could contribute $300,000 this financial year – as long as you have not triggered the ‘bring forward’ provision in the previous two financial years.
Note that if you have between $1.4 and $1.5 million in super you can bring forward one year of non-concessional contributions but if you have between $1.5 and $1.6 million you cannot bring forward any further contributions.
If you do use the ‘bring forward’ provision, you cannot make a non-concessional contribution for the number of years you have brought forward.
The Government currently provides a contribution of up to $500, equal to 15% of concessional contributions made, up to $3,333, for workers with an adjusted taxable income of up to $37,000 p.a where at least 10% of total income is from business or employment.
Currently, if you are working, have less than $1.6 million in super, and make a non-concessional contribution to super (without exceeding your non-concessional cap for the year), and earn up to $52,697 this year, you are eligible for a super co-contribution from the Government of up to $500.
If your partner’s income is $37,000 or less, they have less than $1.6 million in super, and haven’t exceeded their non-concessional cap for the year, you could qualify for a tax offset of up to $540 on the first $3,000 you contribute to superannuation for them from your after-tax income. This tax offset decreases as your partner’s income increases above this level and phases out when their income reaches $40,000.
Individuals aged 18 and over can make voluntary contributions to their superannuation accounts (subject to limits and caps) that can be withdrawn to purchase their first home. A deeming rate will be used to determine the amount of earnings that can also be withdrawn. This measure may help boost saving for a first home deposit compared to standard bank accounts. Please see your adviser for further information.