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Small steps, big results for your super

Put a little extra into your super every payday.

Why? Because putting in small amounts now will make a big difference later to the quality of life you have when you stop working. The sooner you start, the better off you will be.

Types of contributions

Basically there are two types of contributions you can make to boost your super.

Type	About	How to make
1. Salary Sacrifice	These are contributions you make from your before-tax salary.	Payroll deduction (subject to approval by your employer)
2. After-tax (personal)	These are contributions you make into your super from your after-tax salary (take-home pay). Choose from either: - regular after-tax contributions - a one-off payment that suits your financial circumstances - through your everyday shopping with SUPERSUPER, our award winning program created for our members.  Hundreds of participating retailers pay cash rewards into your super account - each time you shop with them. The rewards are paid into your super account as an after-tax payment	Payroll deduction BPAY Direct Debit SUPERSUPER

By putting in regular, small before or after-tax contributions, you can boost your super balance – without seeing a huge difference in your take home pay.

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Tax deductible personal contributions

Since 1 July 2017, tax deductions for personal contributions are no longer limited to individuals who are self-employed or substantially self-employed. This means that you can obtain a tax deduction for personal contributions you make, provided you meet other eligibility criteria. For more information about the eligibility criteria go to ato.gov.au

If you plan to claim a tax deduction for your contributions, it is important you complete and lodge with Child care Super in the required timeframe a Notice of intent to claim or vary a deduction for personal super contributions (NAT 71121) available from ato.gov.au. This notice must be acknowledged by Child Care Super to be effective. Contact Child Care Super and we will take you through what is required.

Personal contributions for which you obtain a tax deduction are also subject to the work test and the concessional contributions cap. You can only make personal member contributions if you have provided us with your Tax File Number.

Child Care Super values your loyalty and never wants you to leave and go to another fund. But if you do have to go, then make sure you complete the Notice of intent to claim or vary a deduction for personal super contributions (NAT 71121) form and send that to us before we process your rollover to the other fund or close your account. That way we will make sure your personal contributions are recorded as concessional contributions.

Government co-contribution is like free money

The Government Co-Contribution scheme is designed to help boost your super.

If you earn less than $57,016 p.a. (2022/23) and make an after-tax contribution to your super account, then you could receive "free money" from the Government of up to $500 per year.

It's paid directly into to your super account (some conditions apply). The size of the payment reduces as your total income increases.

Want to know more? Go to the Super Contributions page.

Spouse contribution

If your spouse earns up to $40,000 per annum, then a spouse contribution can be a tax effective way to boost their super. If your spouse has earnings below $37,000 you can claim the maximum tax offset of $540 when you contribute $3,000 to their super.

Spouse contributions involve making payments into a spouse's super account.

The benefits of doing this can include a tax offset of up to 18% for the individual making the payment and increased super savings for the individual receiving the payment.

For more information regarding the tax offset rules visit the ATO website 

Limits on contributions

There are limits (called contribution caps) on the amount of money that can be put into your super each year. Depending on the type of contribution you're making, different limits apply.

Cap on before-tax contributions

For the 2022/23 financial year, the cap on before-tax contributions (also referred to as the concessional contribution cap) is $27,500 p.a. for everyone (indexed annually). If you put in more than this amount, then you may have to pay extra tax. Remember this cap includes your employer SG, salary sacrifice contributions and any personal contributions for which you claim a tax deduction.

From 1 July 2018 if you have a total superannuation balance of less than $500,000 on 30 June of the previous financial year, you may be entitled to contribute more than the general concessional contributions cap and make additional concessional contributions for any unused amounts.

The first year you will be entitled to carry forward unused amounts is the 2019–20 financial year. Unused amounts are available for a maximum of five years, after which they will expire.

Cap on after-tax contributions

For the 2022/23 financial year, the annual non-concessional cap has increased to $110,000. These include any spouse contributions.

The bring-forward rule for non concessional contributions is age 67. The bring-forward measures will enable individuals aged 65 and 66 to make up to three years of non-concessional superannuation contributions under the bring-forward rule.

Previously, members under age 65 at any time in a financial year may effectively bring forward up to two years’ worth of non-concessional cap for that income year, allowing them to contribute a greater amount up to $300,000 without exceeding their non-concessional cap.

The bring forward rule allows members to contribute a greater amount up to $330,000 without exceeding their non-concessional cap.

 

Why put a little extra into your super?

Your employer is required to put 11% of your ordinary time earnings into your super. This is known as the Superannuation Guarantee (SG) contribution.

Just getting the SG contribution may not be enough for you to build a big enough super balance to enjoy the lifestyle you want when you stop work. You may have to put in a little extra yourself.

Do you want a modest or comfortable retirement lifestyle?

The Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA), a leading industry body, explains how much retirees would need to spend per year to be able to enjoy either a modest or a comfortable lifestyle.

 A comfortable retirement lifestyle enables a healthy retiree to be involved in a broad range of leisure and recreational activities and to have a good standard of living through the purchase of such things as; household goods, private health insurance, a reasonable car, good clothes, a range of electronic equipment, and domestic and occasionally international holiday travel. According to ASFA, to live a comfortable retirement lifestyle, singles would need $46,494 a year and couples would need $65,445 a year in retirement income.

 

Source: ASFA Super Guru

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