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Superannuation Changes - 1 July 2022

Jun 01, 2022

Several key superannuation changes which may impact your ability to contribute to your SMSF, are set to take effect from 1 July 2022. These changes create opportunities for all SMSF members to grow their retirement savings.

Several key superannuation changes which may impact your ability to contribute to your SMSF, are set to take effect from 1 July 2022. These changes create opportunities for all SMSF members to grow their retirement savings.


What are the changes?

Originally announced in the 2021 Federal Budget, the following changes apply from 1 July 2022:

  • Individuals up to the age of 74, will no longer need to meet a work test to make voluntary, non-deductible, contributions
  • Individuals up to the age of 75, with a total super balance under $1.7 million, will have the opportunity to make large non-concessional contributions (possibly up to three years’ worth) in a single year
  • The minimum age to make downsizer contributions will reduce to 60, allowing more individuals to use the proceeds from the sale of their home, to fund their retirement
  • The Superannuation Guarantee (SG) rate will increase to 10.5% p.a. for all and the $450 minimum income threshold for SG contributions, will be removed
  • Under the First Home Super Saver Scheme (FHSSS) eligible individuals will have access to an extra $20,000 of voluntary contributions to fund a home deposit.


How can you benefit from these changes?


The Work Test

Currently, if you are aged 67 to 74, you can only make voluntary contributions to super if you have worked at least 40 hours over 30 consecutive days in the financial year, or you satisfy the recently retired test. The work test must be met prior to contributing.

From 1 July 2022, this work test will only apply to you if you wish to claim a tax deduction for the voluntary contributions you make to your SMSF. If making personal deductible contributions, from 1 July 2022, you will be able to meet the work test at any time in the financial year.

This means that the work test will no longer apply to contributions you make under a salary sacrifice arrangement or for any personal contributions that you don’t claim a tax deduction for, such as non- concessional contributions.



Non-concessional Contributions

Currently, only if you were under the age of 67 on 1 July of the financial year, can you make non-concessional contributions which exceed the annual $110,000 non-concessional contributions cap. Currently, the bring-forward rules allow you to make up to $330,000 (i.e. three years’ worth of non-concessional contributions), in a single year if your total super balances was under $1.48 million as at 30 June of the previous financial year, or $220,000 if your total super balances was greater than or equal to $1.48 million but less than $1.59 million as at 30 June of the previous financial year.

From 1 July 2022, the cut-off age to access the bring rules will increase to 75. However, the total super balance thresholds referred to above, still apply. 

This means that if you are 74 on 1 July 2022 and you have a total super balance of less than $1.48m, you may be able to have one last boost to your retirement savings by making a $330,000 non-concessional contribution to your SMSF. The contribution simply must be made, no later than 28 days after the month in which you turn 75.


Downsizer Contributions

Currently, you can only make a downsizer contribution if you are 65 or older at the time of the contribution and have satisfied the other eligibility requirements.

From 1 July 2022, the minimum age will reduce to 60. All other eligibility rules remain unchanged and the maximum amount of downsizer contributions that can be made remains at $300,000 per person or $600,000 per couple.

If you are selling your home and expect to receive the sale proceeds close to the end of this financial year, please contact our office to discuss the timing of a downsizer contribution and the potential to boost other contribution opportunities in 2022-23. For example, if you get the timing right, you may be able to combine a downsizer contribution with the bring forward rules to contribute up to $630,000 to your SMSF, in one year. As a couple this could present a one-off opportunity to boost your retirement savings by $1.26m.



First Home Super Saver Scheme (FHSSS)


Currently the FHSSS allows you to withdraw a maximum of $30,000 of voluntary contributions (plus associated earnings/less tax) from your super fund to fund the deposit of a new home.


From 1 July 2022, the maximum amount that can be withdrawn will increase to $50,000 meaning each eligible person will be able to withdraw an additional $20,000. All other eligibility rules remain unchanged.


Also unchanged is the maximum amount of contributions that an individual can make each year that can count towards the FHSSS – this remains at $15,000 p.a. This means that it will take a member, at least four years of voluntary contributions, to reach the higher $50,000 limit.

two birds looking at each other
By Lisa Cahill 07 Feb, 2023
From 1 January 2023, those 55 and over can make a ‘downsizer’ contribution to superannuation. Downsizer contributions are an excellent way to get money into superannuation quickly. And now that the age limit has reduced to 55 from 60, more people have an opportunity to use this strategy if it suits their needs.  What is a 'downsizer' contribution? If you are aged 55 years or older, you can contribute $300,000 from the proceeds of the sale of your home to your superannuation fund Downsizer contributions are excluded from the existing age test, work test, and the transfer balance threshold (but are limited by your transfer balance cap). For couples, both members of a couple can take advantage of the concession for the same home. That is, if you and your spouse meet the other criteria, both of you can contribute up to $300,000 ($600,000 per couple). This is the case even if one of you did not have an ownership interest in the property that was sold (assuming they meet the other criteria). Sale proceeds contributed to superannuation under this measure count towards the Age Pension assets test. Because a downsizer contribution can only be made once in a lifetime, it is important to ensure that this is the right option for you. Let’s look at the eligibility criteria: You are 55 years or older (from 1 January 2023) at the time of making the contribution. The home was owned by you or your spouse for 10 years or more prior to the sale – the ownership period is generally calculated from the date of settlement of purchase to the date of settlement of sale. The home is in Australia and is not a caravan, houseboat, or other mobile home. The proceeds (capital gain or loss) from the sale of the home are either exempt or partially exempt from capital gains tax (CGT) under the main residence exemption, or would be entitled to such an exemption if the home was a post-CGT asset rather than a pre-CGT asset (acquired before 20 September 1985). Check with us if you are uncertain. You provide your super fund with the Downsizer contribution into super form (NAT 75073) either before or at the time of making the downsizer contribution. The downsizer contribution is made within 90 days of receiving the proceeds of sale, which is usually at the date of settlement. You have not previously made a downsizer contribution to super from the sale of another home or from the part sale of your home. Do I have to buy another smaller home The name ‘downsizer’ is a bit of a misnomer. To access this measure you do not have to buy another home once you have sold your existing home, and you are not required to buy a smaller home - you could buy a larger and more expensive one.
By Lisa Cahill 25 Oct, 2022
As expected, this year’s second Federal Budget had a strong focus on families, education, health and aged care, energy and affordable housing. From a superannuation perspective it has been a relatively quiet Budget but there were some welcome announcements that will benefit SMSF members funding their retirement. Please remember the following budget announcement are not yet law. Reducing the eligibility age for downsizer contributions The eligibility age to make downsizer contributions into superannuation is set to be reduced from 60 to 55 years of age. All other eligibility criteria will remain unchanged This change will provide a boost to the number of individuals eligible to make a one-off, post-tax contribution to their superannuation of up to $300,000, using the sale proceeds of their family home – regardless of their superannuation balance. Relaxing residency requirements for SMSFs Previously announced in the 2021/2022 Budget, the residency requirements applicable to SMSFs and small APRA funds were set to be relaxed through:  The extension of the central management and control test “safe harbour” from two to five years, and The removal of the “active member” test – which would allow members who are temporarily absent from Australia to continue contributing to their SMSF. Both of these proposals had been slated to commence from 1 July 2022. The Government has confirmed that these changes, broadly aimed at allowing greater flexibility for SMSF members who are temporarily overseas, are still set to go ahead. However the start date for both measures has been deferred. Incentivising Pensioners to Downsize The current Centrelink asset test exemption for proceeds from the sale of a family home, intended for the purchase of a new home, will be extended from 12 months to 24 months. Additionally, for income test purposes, only the lower deeming rate (currently 0.25%) will apply to these exempted proceeds over the 24-month period. These changes will allow pensioners more time to purchase, build or renovate a new home before their pension is affected. Increased Commonwealth Seniors Health Card income threshold The Government has confirmed its commitment to increase the income threshold for Commonwealth Seniors Health Card eligibility from $61,284 to $90,000 for singles and from $98,054 to $144,000 (combined) for couples. This change will increase the number of individuals eligible to benefit from a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card. Freezing of deeming rates The Government has also confirmed that it will freeze the social security deeming rates at their current levels until 30 June 2024. This change will support older Australians who rely on income from deemed financial investments, as well as the pension, to deal with the rising cost of living.
Girl wearing santa hat holding pink present with green bow Fusion Partners Central Coast
By Lisa Cahill 17 Dec, 2021
Christmas Tax Questions The key to Christmas presents for your team is to keep the gift spontaneous, ad hoc, and from a tax perspective, below $300 per person.
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