Federal Budget 2017: Superannuation

Please note that each of these proposals will only become law if it is passed by Parliament.- Additional non-concessional cap for retiree downsizers- Super savings scheme for first home buyers

Additional non-concessional cap for retiree downsizers

From 1 July 2018, people aged 65+ will be able to contribute up to $300,000 into super from the sale of their principal home, if they’ve owned their home for at least 10 years. The existing restrictions for contributions over age 65 won’t apply for these non-concessional contributions.What this could mean for youYou may be able to contribute an additional $300,000 to super (or $600,000 for couples), over and above your existing concessional and non-concessional caps. However, if you or your partner receives the age pension, this could cause your entitlements to be reduced.

Super savings scheme for first home buyers

From 1 July 2017, individuals will be able to make extra voluntary super contributions of up to $15,000 a year beyond their employer’s Super Guarantee payments, up to a total of $30,000. These contributions will be taxed at 15{89774503f1dc5a8067a215bf11c503ad6eecdd9fbdfb7beae4875fba6258e357} and can be withdrawn to go towards the deposit on a first home. Withdrawals will be allowed from 1 July 2018.What this could mean for youWhen you withdraw your extra contributions to pay for a deposit, they’ll be taxed at your marginal tax rate minus a 30{89774503f1dc5a8067a215bf11c503ad6eecdd9fbdfb7beae4875fba6258e357} tax offset. While the tax concessions for these contributions may allow you to save a larger deposit, you won’t be able to access your money until retirement if you decide not to buy a home.

Super reform changes

The new super reforms have been legislated and come into force on 1 July 2017.The key measures:

• Introducing a $1.6 million transfer balance cap which limits the amount that can be transferred to the retirement phase, where earnings are tax-free. This measure will also apply to death benefit income streams. Click here to read more.
• Reducing the concessional contributions cap to $25,000 for all taxpayers and introducing a concessional contributions catch-up regime for those with total super balances of less than $500,000. Click here to read more.
• Reducing the non-concessional contribution cap to $100,000 pa (or $300,000 under the bring forward provisions), limiting the ability to make NCCs to people who have a total superannuation balance of less than $1.6 million and introducing transitional rules for those who triggered the bring forward rule prior to 1 July 2017. Click here to read more.
• Increasing the annual income threshold from $10,800 to $37,000 for eligibility for the spouse contribution tax offset. Click here to read more.
• Abolishing the anti-detriment payment. Is the death tax back? Click here to read more.
• Removing tax exempt earnings for transition to retirement income streams. Click here to read more.
• Lowering the threshold for Division 293 tax to an annual income of $250,000. Click here to read more.

Superannuation can be complicated. To find out how these and other superannuation reforms affect you, what action you should take or to simply ask a question, contact an RJS Wealth Management Professional on 1300 256 526. In many circumstances, it may be ideal to take action now.This blog has been prepared by RJS Wealth Management Pty. Ltd. ABN 24 156 207 126. RJS Wealth Management Pty. Ltd. is a Corporate Authorised Representative (No. 438158) of Modoras Pty. Ltd. ABN 86 068 034 908 an Australian Financial Services and Credit Licensee (Number 233209). The information and opinions contained in this blog is general information only and is not intended to represent specific personal advice (Accounting, taxation, financial, insurance or credit). No individuals personal circumstances have been taken into consideration for the preparation of this material. Any individual making a decision to buy, sell or hold any particular financial product should make their own assessment taking into account their own particular circumstances. The information and opinions herein do not constitute any recommendation to purchase, sell or hold any particular financial product. Modoras Pty Ltd recommends that no financial product or financial service be acquired or disposed of or financial strategy adopted without you first obtaining professional personal financial advice suitable and appropriate to your own personal needs, objectives, goals and circumstances. Information, forecasts and opinions contained in this fact sheet can change without notice. Modoras Pty. Ltd. does not guarantee the accuracy of the information at any particular time. Although care has been exercised in compiling the information contained within, Modoras Pty. Ltd. does not warrant that the articles within are free from errors, inaccuracies or omissions. To the extent permissible by law, neither Modoras Pty. Ltd. nor its employees, representatives or agents (including associated and affiliated companies) accept liability for loss or damages incurred as a result of a person acting in reliance of this publication.