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Investor Insights > News > Changes to super from 1 July 2024
May 2024
Key takeaways
If you are employed in Australia and meet eligibility requirements, you must be paid super by your employer. This is paid on top of your annual salary known as the Super Guarantee (SG).
One of the significant changes that will take effect from 1 July 2024 is the SG rate will increase from 11% to 11.5%. This rate will continue to increase until it reaches 12% on 1 July 2025.
There are a range of strategies you can implement to improve your retirement savings, like putting a little extra money into your super while you're still working.
Aside from the compulsory employer contributions, you can also make voluntary contributions to your super. These can be either before-tax (concessional) or after-tax (non-concessional).
The good news is the super contribution limits are going up from 1 July 2024. This means you may have more opportunity to boost your super savings and have more for retirement.
The concessional and non-concessional contribution caps are summarised below:
Contribution Caps | 2023-2024 | 2024-2025 |
Concessional Contributions Cap | $27,500 | $30,000 |
Non-Concessional Contributions Cap | $110,000 | $120,000 |
Bring forward Non-concessional Cap | $330,000 over 3 financial years | $360,000 over 3 financial years |
Concessional (before-tax) contributions cap
Concessional contributions include compulsory super contributions made on your behalf by your employer, including salary sacrifice, as well as any personal contributions you make to super which you claim as a tax deduction.
There is a cap associated with concessional super contributions which is the maximum amount you can contribute to your super without being required to pay a higher tax rate.
The cap on concessional contributions will increase from $27,500 to $30,000 for the financial year 2024-25.
Carry forward concessional contributions
If you've had time out of work raising kids or for other lifestyle reasons, or you haven't had the money to boost your super until now, you could take advantage of carry forward concessional contributions (also known as catch-up contributions).
To be eligible for catch-up contributions, your total super balance at 30 June of the last financial year must have been below $500,000.
If you're eligible, your concessional contribution cap for the financial year is the annual cap plus any unused concessional contribution caps for the last five financial years. Catch up contributions can help you to make up for past years where you may not have utilised all your concessional contributions cap.
If you have increased income for the financial year, taking advantage of the catch-up contributions can help you claim a larger tax deduction.
From 1 July 2024, you may be able to add more into super by making personal, after-tax contributions with the cap increasing from $110,000 to $120,000 per year.
You can make additional contributions with your after-tax money—including those made from savings or your take-home pay.
To be eligible to make after-tax contributions you must be less than 75 years old and your total super balance last 30 June must be less than $1.9 million.
This rule relates to after-tax super contributions and may allow you to contribute more into super by bringing forward up to two years' worth of after-tax contributions in addition to the annual cap.
The total amount you have in super at the end 30 June of the last financial year will affect whether you are eligible to make any non-concessional contributions and if you have triggers the bring forward rule in the previous two financial years. Your total super balance also determines the maximum amount you can contribute.
For example, in 2024-25, if your total super balance is less than $1.66 million at 30 June 2024, and you did not use the bring-forward rule in the previous two financial years (FY 2022-23 and FY 2023-24), you may be able to contribute up to $360,000 in 2024-25, three times the annual cap, using the bring forward rule.
If your total super balance is between $1.66 million and less $1.78 million, you can contribute up to $240,000, and if your total super balance is 1.78 million but less than $1.9 million, the maximum you can contribute is $120,000.
Super rules can be complicated to understand so speaking with professional can help to give you peace of mind.
Alternatively, for more information visit the Australian Taxation Office website at ato.gov.au.
Financial advisers can tailor a super strategy that suits your circumstances and goals. They can also provide valuable insights into the best investment options and insurance coverage for you.
Bottom line: remaining informed about the changes to super rates and rules is key to securing a comfortable retirement. If you're unsure how it may benefit you, consider speaking to a professional.
This article is issued by OnePath Funds Management Limited (ABN 21 003 002 800, AFSL 238342), and OnePath Custodians Pty Limited (OPC) (ABN 12 008 508 496, AFSL 238346, RSE L0000673) as the trustee of the Retirement Portfolio Service (ABN 61 808 189 263) and the product issuer. OnePath Funds Management and OnePath Custodians are part of the Insignia Financial group of companies, consisting of Insignia Financial Limited ABN 49 100 103 722 and its related bodies corporate (Insignia Financial Group).
You should read the relevant Financial Services Guide (FSG), Product Disclosure Statement (PDS), Target Market Determination (TMD), Additional Information Guide (AIG), Investment Funds Guide (IFG), and product and other updates (for open and closed products) available at onepath.com.au and consider whether OnePath products are right for you before making a decision to acquire, or to continue to hold any OnePath product. Alternatively, you can request a copy of this information by calling Customer Services on 133 665.
Taxation law is complex, and this information has been prepared as a guide only and does not represent taxation advice. Please see your tax adviser for independent taxation advice.
Before re-directing your super or moving your money into your product, you will need to consider whether there are any adverse consequences for you, including loss of benefits (e.g. insurance cover), investment options and performance, functionality, increase in investment risks and where your future employer contributions will be paid. Any investment is subject to investment risk, including possible repayment delays and loss of income and principal invested. Returns can go up and down. Past performance is not indicative of future performance.
The information provided is of a general nature and does not take into account your personal needs, financial circumstances or objectives. Before acting on this information, you should consider the appropriateness of the information, having regard to your needs, financial circumstances or objectives. The case studies used in the articles on this website are hypothetical and are not meant to illustrate the circumstances of any particular individual. Opinions expressed in this document are those of the authors only.