Splitting super contributions to your spouse’s super account may help to boost their retirement savings and provide a range of other benefits.
You may be able to split (transfer) eligible concessional contributions (CCs) that you’ve made or received to your spouse’s super account.
Eligible CCs include employer super contributions and personal super contributions for which you have claimed a tax deduction.
Contribution splitting can be a great way to increase your spouse’s super savings particularly where they, for example:
In addition to boosting your spouse’s retirement savings, there may be other benefits depending on your specific circumstances.
Contribution splitting can help to pay your spouse’s insurance premiums for policies held inside super. This may be beneficial during times where your spouse has reduced their working hours or is out of the workforce and their contributions have reduced.
A limit applies to how much super can be transferred into ‘retirement phase’ income streams, where investment earnings are taxed at 0%. Contribution splitting may help you take better advantage of these limits as a couple and maximise the total amount you can hold tax-effectively when you retire.
If you have a younger spouse who is under their Age Pension age, contribution splitting may help to improve your Centrelink entitlements. Superannuation held in the ‘accumulation phase’ is not assessed for social security purposes until the account holder reaches their Age Pension age. Splitting super to your younger spouse may therefore reduce the assets assessed when your entitlement is calculated, potentially increasing your Age Pension entitlement.
Only eligible CCs can be split to your spouse, such as superannuation guarantee (SG), salary sacrifice and personal deductible contributions. Non-concessional or ‘after-tax’ contributions cannot be split.
Generally, the maximum amount that can be split is the lesser of:
The CC cap was $25,000 in 2020/21 and is $27,500 in 2021/22. However, if you’re eligible to make larger CCs in a financial year using the ‘catch-up’ contribution rule, your applicable CC cap may be higher.1
You can generally only split CCs made in the previous financial year. Also, you need to request to split your CCs in writing to the trustee of your super fund within 12 months after the end of the financial year the CCs were made to your super fund (unless you’re going to roll over your balance or close your account).
For more information on catch-up contributions, ask your financial adviser for a copy of our ‘Top up your super with ‘catchup’ contributions’ super strategy card.
Lucy would like to split some of her eligible CCs made during 2020/21 to her husband Luke’s (age 40) super fund.
In FY 2020/21, her employer contributed $20,000 to her super fund and her CC cap was $25,000. The maximum amount that Lucy can split to Luke is the lesser of:
Lucy elects to split $15,000 of her CCs to Luke’s super fund and submits the contribution splitting application form to her fund in 2021/22.
Her super fund transfers $15,000 to Luke’s super fund. This won’t reduce Lucy’s CCs for the financial year and the transfer won’t be assessed as a contribution against Luke’s contribution caps.
Note: If Lucy was eligible to make larger CCs in 2020/21 using the ‘catch-up’ contribution rule, her CC cap may be greater than $25,000. This may increase the maximum amount of contributions she could potentially split to Luke if she made larger CCs in that financial year.
To be eligible to split your super to your spouse, they must be either:
Once your spouse reaches age 65, they are no longer eligible to receive a contribution split from your super.
Contribution splitting may be used by married couples, de facto partners and same sex couples.
Contributions split to your spouse:
Your financial adviser can help determine whether this strategy is right for you. This includes working out whether your spouse is eligible to receive a contributions split from your super and how much you’re eligible to split.
Where your CCs in a financial year have exceeded your available cap, the excess amounts cannot be split to your spouse and additional tax and other penalties may apply.
We recommend you consult with a registered tax agent.
You will need to confirm the total amount of CCs in the previous financial year. You can access information about your contributions by logging on to my.gov.au. Information displayed might not be up to date, so it’s also important to keep accurate contributions records and enquire directly to your super fund before requesting to split.
If you aren't sure how to proceed or if you meet the specific criteria...
Speak with one of our Financial Planners about the best approach for your circumstances asap, either book a meeting or get in contact with us on 02 9328 0876.
1 Individuals with income above $250,000 pa will pay an additional 15% tax on personal deductible and other concessional super contributions.
2 Includes Medicare Levy.
3 Includes Medicare Levy. Based on FY 2021/22 tax rates.
4 Assumptions: A 20-year comparison based on contribution of $5,000 pa of pre-tax salary on top of compulsory superannuation guarantee. Super investments earn a total return of 6.34% pa, balances shown at the end of 5/10/15/20 year periods. All figures are after income tax of 15% in super and capital gains tax (including discounting). These rates are assumed to remain constant over the investment period. William’s salary of $90,000 pa is indexed to CPI. Difference does not take into account money potentially invested outside super if pay rise received as after tax salary.
General Disclaimer: While every care has been taken in the preparation of this document, Sydney Financial Planning and Charter FP make no representations or warranties as to the accuracy or completeness of any statement in it.This article contains information that is general in nature. It does not take into account the objectives, financial situation or needs of any particular person. You need to consider your financial situation and needs before making any decisions based on this information. Please seek personal financial advice prior to acting on this information.