While the budget announcements initially outlined retrospective or changes effective budget night, the bills were passed with most of these changes taking effect from 1 July 2017. The time now available until changes come into effect presents an important opportunity for both planning and considered action.

The changes:

1. Introduction of $1.6 million transfer balance cap

From 1 July 2017, the maximum amount that can be transferred into a tax-free retirement account will be limited to $1.6 million. Any excess over this amount will need to be transferred back into an accumulation superannuation account or withdrawn. 

Individuals already in retirement as at 1 July 2017 will need to ensure their balance does not exceed $1.6 million as at that date. The cap will index in line with the consumer price index and the cap will rise in $100,000 increments.

The cap applies to the total amount of superannuation that has been transferred into retirement phase no matter how many accounts these balances are held in.

Where an individual needs to transfer an asset before 30 June 2017 to comply with the cap, they have the option of resetting the value of the asset to the current market value. This means that any accumulated capital gain that has occurred while the asset has been held in retirement phase will not be taxed.

The amount of the cap is determined by the proportionate method. For example, if you currently have or intend to transfer $800,000 into a retirement account, you will have remaining 50 per cent of your cap, if in line with consumer price index the cap rises to $1.7 million, you will be able to transfer a further $850,000 into your retirement account.

Earnings on the account are not included in the cap from 1 July 2017.

Transitional arrangements will apply for accounts that have a balance between $1.6 million and $1.7 million with the ATO issuing a warning letter stating they have six months from 1 July 2017 to remedy this. It’s important to note particularly for SMSFs that the cap is not a combined cap and it is applied at the individual level. For couples where one partner may exceed the cap and the other has a lower balance, there is the opportunity to withdraw and contribute to the lower balance account. Given that the reduced contribution limits do not apply until 1 July 2017, the bring-forward rule of $540,000 may be able to be utilised. This will also achieve the result of increasing the overall tax-free amount that can be paid on the death of an individual.

Defined benefit pensions will be treated slightly differently. If they are valued at over $1.6 million, they do not need to be rolled back. Instead, defined benefit pension payments over $100,000 per annum will be subject to additional taxation to bring them in line with the transfer balance cap.

2. Lowering the concessional contributions cap to $25,000 per year for all taxpayers from 1 July 2017

The higher contribution rates, however, still apply for this financial year ($30,000 for those under 50 and $35,000 for the over 50) so we have a window of opportunity for the higher concessional contributions. Another measure will allow those with a super balance of less than $500,000 to carry forward their unused concessional caps for up to five years, commencing 1 July 2018.

3. Lowering the non-concessional contributions cap to $100,000 per year or $300,000 using the bring-forward rule from 1 July 2017

Again, the current non-concessional amounts apply for this financial year. Those in small business will still be able to access the additional $1.4 million additional cap for eligible small businesses.

4. Allowing all individual Australians under 75 who make personal contributions (including those aged 65 to 74 who meet the work test) to claim an income tax deduction for any personal superannuation contribution into an eligible superannuation fund

These amounts will count towards the individual’s concessional contributions cap and be subject to 15 per cent contributions tax. This will address the current anomaly that occurs when an individual has more than 10 per cent of income from employer-supported sources and is unable to claim a tax deduction for personal superannuation contributions. It will also give greater flexibility in choosing to claim a contribution as a tax deduction prior to the end of the tax year.

5. Reducing the income threshold at which individuals are required to pay an additional 15 per cent contributions tax, from $300,000 per year to $250,000

6. Removing the tax-free treatment of assets that support a transition to retirement income stream

This, along with the ability of all taxpayers to be able to now claim a personal tax deduction for superannuation contributions, will most likely affect the popularity of transition to retirement strategies.

7. Low-income superannuation tax offset 

This will replace the low-income superannuation contribution when it expires on 30 June 2017. It will allow individuals with an adjusted taxable income of $37,000 or less to receive an effective refund of the tax paid on their concessional contributions, up to a cap of $500. This refund will be paid into their superannuation account.

8. Extending the spouse tax offset. From 1 July 2017

The government will extend the eligibility rules for claiming the tax offset for superannuation contributions partners make to their low-income spouses. The current 18 per cent tax offset of up to $540 will be available for any individual, whether married or de facto, contributing to a recipient spouse whose income is up to $37,000. This is an increase from the current $10,800. The offset reduces between $37,000 and cuts out completely where a partner’s income is $40,000.

9. Extending the tax exemption on other retirement products

From 1 July 2017, the government will extend the tax exemption on earnings in the retirement phase to products such as deferred lifetime annuities and group self-annuitisation products. These products seek to provide individuals with income throughout their retirement regardless of how long they live.

Michele Purvis, director of financial planning, Viden