The proposed changes mainly affect contributions rules and the tax breaks available in super. If the Budget comes into effect, it would be after new laws are passed—then the proposed measures would take effect until 1 July 2017.
Who’s better off?
The changes announced for super contributions rules will generally be welcome news to people who want to build their retirement savings and:
- May experience interrupted periods of work
- Earn lower incomes
- Have lower super balances
On the other hand, because most of the changes aim to restrict the use of tax concessions by those who have larger super balances, people who are relatively very well-off may not welcome some of the government’s proposals.
Older workers may be worse off than they are now as a result of the decision to restrict the tax benefits of the current transition-to-retirement strategy.
Changes to super contributions rules
The government has proposed a raft of changes to before-tax and after-tax contributions.
A rolling concessional cap, for some
The Budget has lowered the cap for concessional contributions (contributions made with pre-tax dollars). That means there’s less room for your pre-tax dollars in super each year. But there is an upside.
Previously, any super contributions using pre-tax dollars—super guarantee and salary sacrifice payments—were capped at $30,000 per annum (or $35,000 for those over 49).
From 1 July 2017, a cap of $25,000 will apply to all ages, but it can roll over for five years, if your super balance is below $500,000. So as long as your super balance doesn’t become too inflated, you can add $125,000 (pre-tax) to super every five years.
It’s a useful option if you’re in a position to top up your super after an interruption to paid work or you receive a bonus or other lump sum.
A lifetime limit
The government has proposed a new lifetime limit of $500,000 on non-concessional contributions (those made with after-tax dollars) effective 3 May 2016. People whose contributions exceed the $500,000 limit after 3 May 2016 may need to remove the excess from super or pay extra tax.
This change will probably have a negative effect on people who had been planning to take advantage of the previous annual cap of $180,000 or $540,000 in any three-year period.
What’s more, the lifetime cap would be back-dated to include all non-concessional contributions made since 1 July 2007.
More super tax for more high earners
Before the Budget announcement, those earning more than $300,000 paid 30% on their super contributions, everyone else paid 15%. But from July 1 next year, the salary band will be lowered. That means people earning $250,000 or more will pay 30% tax on their contributions.
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What if you earn less than $37,000?
If you work part-time and earn up to $37,000, your average marginal tax rate may be less than 15%—the rate applied to compulsory super contributions. To that end, the government’s low income offset scheme enables people, like working parents, to receive an automatic annual super payment of up to $500.
The scheme is designed to compensate workers on lower incomes so they don’t end up paying more tax on their super than on their take-home pay.
Changes to transition to retirement strategies
Until now the transition-to-retirement strategy (TTR) has enabled workers to draw income from super by starting a pension while they’re still working and salary sacrificing pre-tax income into super. TTR has enabled higher earners to swap their highest marginal income rate for the lower super tax rate.
The foundation of the strategy’s appeal lay in the pension account’s tax-free earnings entitlement. And for over-60s, no tax has been payable on pension income withdraws.
But the Budget reveals the government’s intention to apply tax of 15% to any pension account used for TTR. Investment earnings on super assets that support a pension (currently tax free) will also be subject to 15% tax—all from 1 July next year.
Tax-free limits in retirement phase
When it comes to converting super into an income stream in retirement when no tax is paid on earnings or withdrawals, high earners—who at the moment are not limited on the amount they can accumulate—will be restricted to $1.6 million.
Retirees who already have more than $1.6 million will have until July 1, 2017 to put the money back into super accumulation phase where it will be taxed at 15% or take the money out of super.
Like to know more?
The impact of the proposed changes outlined in the Federal Budget affects each of us in different ways. Make a time to have a chat with us so you understand exactly how the proposed changes will affect you and your retirement plans.
What you need to know.
Any advice in this document is general in nature and is provided by AMP Life Limited ABN 84 079 300 379 (AMP Life). The advice does not take into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. Therefore, before acting on this advice, you should consider the appropriateness of this advice having regard to those matters and consider the product disclosure statement before making a decision about the product. AMP Life is part of the AMP group and can be contacted on 131 267. If you decide to purchase or vary a financial product, AMP Life and/or other companies within the AMP group will receive fees and other benefits, which will be a dollar amount or a percentage of either the premium you pay or the value of your investments. You can ask us for more details.
