Changes to Australian super in 2021–22

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has announced that superannuation contribution caps will increase from 1 July 2021.

In addition, several ‘Your Future, Your Super’ reforms announced in last year’s Federal Budget are due to take effect on that date.

Here’s what you need to know about some of the changes:

Super contribution caps will increase

The ATO has confirmed that, from 1 July 2021, the superannuation concessional (before-tax) contribution caps and non-concessional (after-tax) contribution caps will be increased as follows:

Also, the total super balance limit over which you cannot make non-concessional contributions has been increased from $1.6 million to $1.7 million.

What are concessional contributions?

What are non-concessional contributions?

Maximise your concessional cap

If you’d like to make extra contributions but haven’t already reached the $25,000 concessional cap for 2020–21, you have until 30 June 2021 to do so.

Super-rate will rise

From 1 July 2021, the superannuation guarantee — the minimum amount an employer must pay into an employee’s super fund — will increase from 9.5% to 10%.

(It will continue to rise by 0.5% a year until it reaches 12% in 2025.)

If you’re a business owner, you should contact your payroll provider to ensure everything is in place to accommodate the change.

Super will automatically follow employees

When an employee changes job, they must nominate their super fund — otherwise their new employer will put the employee’s super into a ‘default’ fund selected by the employer (also known as a MySuper fund).

From 1 July 2021, though, members will keep their current super fund when they change jobs.

‘Stapling’, as it’s referred to by the federal government, is designed to help reduce unintended multiple accounts.

This in turn will help reduce members’ paperwork and fees, make it easier for them to track their super, and help them avoid paying multiple insurance premiums.

Underperforming funds will be held to account

From 1 July 2021, MySuper funds will be subject to an annual performance test.

The test will compare the funds’ performance to a benchmark set by the regulator, the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA).

Underperforming funds will be listed as ‘underperforming’ in a new YourSuper comparison tool (this tool is another of the changes occurring to super in 2021–22).

They will remain listed until their performance improves.

Funds that underperform over two consecutive years will not be allowed to accept new members until their performance improves to an acceptable level.

The testing regime will be expanded from MySuper products to all super products from July 2022.

What are concessional contributions?

Concessional contributions are those made using before-tax dollars; or personal contributions you claim as a tax deduction. There are three types:

• compulsory contributions — before-tax contributions your employer is legally required to make (e.g. superannuation guarantee)
• salary-sacrifice contributions — when you choose to have some of your before-tax income paid into your super account by your employer
• personal deductible contributions — voluntary contributions you make using after-tax dollars (e.g. by transferring money from your bank account into your super) which you then claim a tax deduction on when doing your tax return.

Concessional contributions are usually taxed at 15% (30% if you earn more than $250,000 a year).

This is lower than most personal income tax rates and so these contributions are a tax-effective way to save for retirement.

What are non-concessional contributions?

Non-concessional contributions are contributions made using after-tax dollars and which you do not claim a tax deduction on.

They include:

• personal contributions you make into super using your take-home pay — if, for example, your employer doesn’t offer salary sacrificing or you receive money (e.g. an inheritance or redundancy payout) you’d otherwise have to pay tax on at your highest tax rate
• any payments you make into your spouse’s fund, subject to their eligibility
• a government co-contribution of up to $500 (if you’re a low- to middle-income earner who makes an after-tax contribution to super)
• low-income super tax offset of up to $500 (if you earn $37,000 or less and you or your employer make concessional super contributions).

Your ability to make after-tax personal contributions to super depends on your age.

Expert insights

Get a Budget breakdown from our experts — an accountant, financial planner, and economist — and find out what the changes and opportunities are for you.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This blog has been prepared by Modoras Pty. Ltd. ABN 86 068 034 908 an Australian Financial Services and Credit Licences (Number 233209). The information and opinions contained in this presentation is general information only and is not intended to represent specific personal advice (Accounting, taxation, financial, insurance or credit). No individuals’ personal circumstances have been taken into consideration for the preparation of this material. Any individual making any investment or borrowing decisions should make their own assessment taking into account their own particular circumstances. The information and opinions herein do not constitute any recommendation to borrow funds or purchase, sell or hold any particular investment. Modoras Pty Ltd recommends that no financial product or financial service be acquired or disposed of, credit contract entered into or financial strategy adopted without you first obtaining professional personal financial advice suitable and appropriate to your own personal needs, objectives, goals and circumstances. Information, forecasts and opinions contained in this blog may change without notice. Modoras Pty. Ltd. does not guarantee the accuracy of the information at any particular time. Although care has been exercised in compiling the information contained within, Modoras Pty. Ltd. does not warrant that the articles within are free from errors, inaccuracies or omissions. To the extent permissible by law, neither Modoras Pty. Ltd. nor its employees, representatives or agents (including associated and affiliated companies) accept liability for loss or damages incurred as a result of a person acting in reliance of this publication.