Things that could make a difference
- Make voluntary contributions to your super beyond the Superannuation Guarantee (SG)
- Check your super balance and how it is invested
- Investigate government co-contributions and spouse contributions
- Find any lost super
- Consolidate your super accounts
Voluntary contributions
You can choose to make voluntary contributions to your super from your before-tax salary prior to taking a career break and/or after your return.
Either way, a salary sacrifice arrangement can help to top up the balance of your super account.
It’s a concessional contribution, and there are caps set by the Federal Government that limit how much you can add, so check the Australian Taxation Office websitefor the most up-to-date information.
You might also be able to make after-tax contributions while you are earning, depending on your circumstances. Again the ATO has information about how much you can contribute and what tax implications there might be.
Be financially aware
Retiring and superannuation can seem a long way off if you are young, and other life milestones such as having a family or buying a house can sometimes take your focus from making financial plans for your future.
But the earlier you can start taking control of your finances, the more likely you are to achieve the lifestyle you want in retirement.
Just by checking your super statement when your fund sends it at least every 12 months can be useful for understanding how you are progressing towards your financial goals.
Evaluating how your super is invested and whether it suits your current circumstances can make a difference many years down the track.
You can use a retirement calculator to estimate how much money you may need and how much you might have when you retire.
You can make an appointment with a financial planner to see what your options might be at any stage, whether you are working at the time or not.
Co-contributions and spouse contributions
If you earn under a certain amount each year, and make after-tax contributions to your super, you might qualify for a Federal Government co-contribution. Check the ATO website for more details to see if you might be eligible.
In addition, your spouse might be able to add after-tax money into your super while you are not working - this could allow them to qualify for a tax offset of up to $540. Check the ATO website for more details.
Find lost super
Any employment you have ever had might mean you were being paid superannuation by your employer.
But if you don’t have a record of it, you can still track it by contacting the ATO.
Consolidate super accounts
If you have more than one super account, you are likely to be paying multiple administration fees.
You can choose to consolidate all your accounts, but you should check how this might affect any insurance arrangements you hold as part of your super.
You should consider any exit fees that might apply and also if there could be any investment implications.
Taking control
Maximising what you have for your retirement years might seem challenging, particularly if there are times in your life that you are unable to work or you want to take a career break.
Planning ahead, knowing what options are available and contributing more to your super when you are able can help to make a difference to achieving the lifestyle you would like in the future.
