Entering the workforce at the age of 18 and making more than $450 a month comes with a fantastic perk in Australia. Your employer has to make superannuation guarantee (SG) contributions, a little something extra tucked away for your golden years. Right now, this super rate is 10.5% of your wages, so it’s a good idea to keep an eye on those payslips and make sure you’re getting your due.
Australia is pretty proud of its superannuation system, and for good reason! An overwhelming 98% of the folks in the Australian Superannuation Funds Association (ASFA) give a nod of approval to the current coverage. However, they also believe in playing fair, with 80% of them wishing that the self-employed, who aren’t legally obligated to contribute to a super, should be included under the system’s umbrella.
Now, the nitty-gritty of your super contributions can seem a bit like a jigsaw puzzle, but once you get the hang of it, they can really give your retirement savings a nice boost. Let’s talk concessional contributions first. These are funds that are slid into your super before Uncle Sam gets his share, taxed at 15% within the fund. This includes contributions from your employer, salary sacrifice contributions, and tax-deductible contributions from our self-employed mates. Keep in mind, though, there’s a limit – you can only contribute up to $27,500 a year.
On the flip side, we’ve got non-concessional contributions. These are funds that are tucked into your super after taxes are taken out. You can add up to $110,000 a year in this manner. However, there’s a catch: your super has to have less than $1.7 million as of June 30 of the previous fiscal year to be eligible. Even though there aren’t any immediate tax benefits, these contributions could be a clever way to stash a large sum away for retirement.
But wait, there’s more! The Australian government isn’t sitting on the sidelines. To encourage folks to grow their super savings, the government chips in with co-contributions and tax offsets. If you’re eligible, they’ll even match your contribution, up to $500. Plus, you can claim a tax offset of up to $540 if you’re making superannuation contributions for a spouse who’s earning less than $40,000.
If you’re earning less than $37,000 a year but still managing to make concessional contributions, there’s another bonus in store. You’re eligible for the Low Income Superannuation Tax Offset (LISTO), which is 15% of the contribution you’ve made, capped at $500.
Last but not least, if you’re 55 or older and downsizing your home, you can add up to $300,000 from your home sale’s proceeds (or $600,000 for a couple) to your super. The best part? It won’t even affect your contribution limits.
In a nutshell, understanding how super contributions and government incentives work can put a significant extra spring in your step towards a comfortable retirement. Stay switched on and proactive when it comes to your superannuation, and you’ll be all set to enjoy the benefits of Australia’s wonderful super system to the fullest.
