As the new financial year gets underway, there are some big changes to superannuation that could add up to a welcome lift in your retirement savings.
Some, like the rise in the Superannuation Guarantee (SG), will happen automatically so you won’t need to lift a finger. Others, like higher contribution caps, may require some planning to get the full benefit.
Whether you are just starting your super journey or close retirement, a member of a big super fund or your own self-managed super fund (SMSF), it pays to know what’s on offer.
Here’s a summary of the changes starting from 1 July 2021.
Increase in the Super Guarantee
If you are an employee, the amount your employer contributes to your super fund has just increased to 10 per cent of your pre-tax ordinary time earnings, up from 9.5 per cent.
Higher contributions caps
The annual limits on the amount you can contribute to super have also been lifted, for the first time in four years.
The concessional (before tax) contributions cap has increased from $25,000 a year to $27,500.
More generous Total Super Balance and Transfer Balance Cap
Super remains the most tax-efficient savings vehicle in the land, but there are limits to how much you can squirrel away in super for your retirement. These limits, however, have just become a little more generous.
Reduction in minimum pension drawdowns extended
In response to record low interest rates and volatile investment markets, the government has extended the temporary 50 per cent reduction in minimum pension drawdowns until 30 June 2022.
Content sourced from Advant Group
