Superannuation contribution strategy explained
One of an extensive range of superannuation reforms the Federal Government announced in its 2016 Budget relates to the opportunity for eligible people to carry forward the unused portion of their concessional contribution cap. This initiative commenced from 1 July 2018.
Concessional contributions comprise of:
From 1 July 2017, the maximum concessional contributions that could be made to superannuation in any one financial year was limited to a maximum of $25,000. This is referred to as the concessional contribution cap.
The cap will increase in the future in line with movements in Average Weekly Ordinary Time Earnings, in increments of $2,500. As a result of indexation, the concessional contribution cap increased to $30,000 from 1 July 2024.
To be eligible to carry forward the unused portion of the concessional contribution cap, a person must have a total superannuation balance of less than $500,000. The total superannuation balance is the total of all the money a person has in the superannuation system as at the previous 30 June.
When calculating the total superannuation balance all amounts held in superannuation accumulation accounts, the balance of any accounts paying a pension, and amounts being transferred between superannuation, are included.
For example, a person with $200,000 in a superannuation accumulation account and a pension account balance of $250,000, as at the previous 30 June, will have a total superannuation balance of $450,000.
Any unused concessional contribution cap that accrues from 1 July 2019 may be carried forward for a period of up to five years. If the concessional contribution cap was not fully utilised in any financial year before 1 July 2019, the unused portion cannot be carried forward.
When calculating the total superannuation balance all amounts held in superannuation accumulation accounts, the balance of any accounts paying a pension, and amounts being transferred between superannuation, are included.
Example
Elaine has a total superannuation balance of less than $500,000 as at 30 June 2024.
Her employer made concessional contributions of $8,000 in the 2023-24 financial year. She also made a personal tax-deductible contribution of $2,000, bringing her concessional contributions for the year to $10,000.
Elaine’s unused concessional contribution cap is $17,500 (i.e. $27,500, less $10,000).
She can carry the unused portion of her concessional contribution cap forward for up to 5 years.
This means that in 2024-25, the maximum concessional contributions that could be made, provided her total superannuation balance as at 30 June 2024 was less than $500,000, are $47,500 (the basic $30,000 concessional contribution cap, plus $17,500 carried forward from 2023-24).
Note: For the sake of simplicity, the unused concessional contribution cap from years prior to 2022-23 have been ignored in this example.
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