Register For Our Mailing List

Register to receive our free weekly newsletter including editorials.

Home / 174

10 quick points on super reform for dummies

  •   22 September 2016
  • 2
  •      
  •   

This is a quick snapshot of the proposed superannuation changes announced by the Government (as at Friday 16 September 2016, that is).

  1. The Government is legislating an objective of superannuation against which all changes will be measured. Broadly, the primary objective of super will be to supplement or replace the age pension. This objective has some problems, including that super funds currently pay out on events unrelated to pensions, they pay out lump sums and they pay money to beneficiaries other than the superannuation fund member.
  2. Income on account balances paying a pension up to maximum of $1.6 million will be tax-exempt. Any income from assets above that will be taxed in a fund at 15% or the excess can be taken out.
  3. If taxable income is above $250,000 pa, the tax rate is 30% on contributions to a super fund, not the usual 15%.
  4. Non concessional contributions will be capped at $100,000 pa or $300,000 over any three-year period before age 65, and once there is $1.6 million in a fund, no more non-concessional contributions can be made.
  5. If income is less than $37,000 pa the Government will refund the contribution tax to the fund.
  6. Employees can receive a deduction for up to $25,000 pa of contributions less what their employer has contributed.
  7. One spouse can contribute up to $3000 to the other spouse’s super account whose income is less than $40,000, and the first spouse gets an 18% tax offset on what they have contributed.
  8. Income on deferred annuities will be tax exempt.
  9. Extra payments made by funds on the death of a member will not be tax deductible.
  10. Fund income supporting a pension while a person is working will be taxable at 15% not 0%.

All these changes commence from 1 July 2017 so get cracking!

 

Gordon Mackenzie is a Senior Lecturer in taxation and superannuation law at the Australian School of Business, University of New South Wales. This article is a brief summary of the major points, it does not consider the needs of any individual and does not summarise all aspects of the proposals, which have yet to be legislated.

 

2 Comments
Ben
September 28, 2016

Yes this is not smart in my opinion, lowering the amount to $25,000, when interest rates are so low and likely future returns even on the stock market will be low. Only public servants with their assured tax payer funded defined pension schemes would let this get proposed. Ivory towers in Canberra!

The elderly are usually advised to keep a solid proportion of their income producing assets in fixed interest not shares/stocks. With Aust 10 year Gov bond under 2% that means $500,000 will yield $10,000 annually. This will likely result in more people needing more pensions from the taxpayer not less.

If people put more into shares, and there's a significant crash/drop what will this mean? How many could cash out at the worst time?

Meddling with the world famous super scheme Australia introduced is unwise. Anyway in our view Aust Gov.s in the future will not have enough money as in other welfare dependent and demographically challenged developed countries and the private Super monies will be even more attractive for treasury to 'raise money' from. Beware.

PPayne
September 22, 2016

6.Employees can receive a deduction for up to $25,000 pa of contributions less what their employer has contributed

Can someone speak on our behalf.
If you are over 50 years the limit for Concessional Contributions was $35000. (This is excluding the 9.5% employers super SGC guarantee). Please can this be re-instated. It has been reduced to $25000 for everyone (including >50 years).
This is the time when you can build a bit more I your super and it is not fair to target this group.

 

Leave a Comment:

RELATED ARTICLES

'Rorts and rip-offs’ prevention in super legislation

What might the Tax White Paper say on imputation and CGT?

Make sure going overseas does not spoil your SMSF

banner

Most viewed in recent weeks

Australian house prices close in on world record

Sydney is set to become the world’s most expensive city for housing over the next 12 months, a new report shows. Our other major cities aren’t far behind unless there are major changes to improve housing affordability.

The case for the $3 million super tax

The Government's proposed tax has copped a lot of flack though I think it's a reasonable approach to improve the long-term sustainability of superannuation and the retirement income system. Here’s why.

Tariffs are a smokescreen to Trump's real endgame

Behind market volatility and tariff threats lies a deeper strategy. Trump’s real goal isn’t trade reform but managing America's massive debts, preserving bond market confidence, and preparing for potential QE.

The super tax and the defined benefits scandal

Australia's superannuation inequities date back to poor decisions made by Parliament two decades ago. If super for the wealthy needs resetting, so too does the defined benefits schemes for our public servants.

Meg on SMSFs: Withdrawing assets ahead of the $3m super tax

The super tax has caused an almighty scuffle, but for SMSFs impacted by the proposed tax, a big question remains: what should they do now? Here are ideas for those wanting to withdraw money from their SMSF.

Getting rich vs staying rich

Strategies to get rich versus stay rich are markedly different. Here is a look at the five main ways to get rich, including through work, business, investing and luck, as well as those that preserve wealth.

Latest Updates

SMSF strategies

Meg on SMSFs: Withdrawing assets ahead of the $3m super tax

The super tax has caused an almighty scuffle, but for SMSFs impacted by the proposed tax, a big question remains: what should they do now? Here are ideas for those wanting to withdraw money from their SMSF.

Superannuation

The huge cost of super tax concessions

The current net annual cost of superannuation tax subsidies is around $40 billion, growing to more than $110 billion by 2060. These subsidies have always been bad policy, representing a waste of taxpayers' money.

Planning

How to avoid inheritance fights

Inspired by the papal conclave, this explores how families can avoid post-death drama through honest conversations, better planning, and trial runs - so there are no surprises when it really matters.

Superannuation

Super contribution splitting

Super contribution splitting allows couples to divide before-tax contributions to super between spouses, maximizing savings. It’s not for everyone, but in the right circumstances, it can be a smart strategy worth exploring.

Economy

Trump vs Powell: Who will blink first?

The US economy faces an unprecedented clash in leadership styles, but the President and Fed Chair could both take a lesson from the other. Not least because the fiscal and monetary authorities need to work together.

Gold

Credit cuts, rising risks, and the case for gold

Shares trade at steep valuations despite higher risks of a recession. Amid doubts that a 60/40 portfolio can still provide enough protection through times of market stress, gold's record shines bright.

Investment strategies

Buffett acolyte warns passive investors of mediocre future returns

While Chris Bloomstan doesn't have the track record of his hero, it's impressive nonetheless. And he's recently warned that today has uncanny resemblances to the 1990s tech bubble and US returns are likely to be disappointing.

Sponsors

Alliances

© 2025 Morningstar, Inc. All rights reserved.

Disclaimer
The data, research and opinions provided here are for information purposes; are not an offer to buy or sell a security; and are not warranted to be correct, complete or accurate. Morningstar, its affiliates, and third-party content providers are not responsible for any investment decisions, damages or losses resulting from, or related to, the data and analyses or their use. To the extent any content is general advice, it has been prepared for clients of Morningstar Australasia Pty Ltd (ABN: 95 090 665 544, AFSL: 240892), without reference to your financial objectives, situation or needs. For more information refer to our Financial Services Guide. You should consider the advice in light of these matters and if applicable, the relevant Product Disclosure Statement before making any decision to invest. Past performance does not necessarily indicate a financial product’s future performance. To obtain advice tailored to your situation, contact a professional financial adviser. Articles are current as at date of publication.
This website contains information and opinions provided by third parties. Inclusion of this information does not necessarily represent Morningstar’s positions, strategies or opinions and should not be considered an endorsement by Morningstar.