SMSFA seeks return of higher contribution cap for over 50s

In its submission for the 2019 federal budget, the association said the current concessional cap of $25,000 for all members was “restrictive” and limited individuals’ ability to save an adequate amount of super to be self-sufficient in retirement.

“The lack of a higher cap for older Australians fails to recognise that most people are able to make voluntary contributions to superannuation later in life when they have a greater financial capacity to do so,” the SMSFA said.

“Individuals traditionally make mortgage repayments and pay school fees and other immediate household expenses before considering the opportunity to build an adequate superannuation balance.”

The association referred to Rice Warner research showing that fund members contributed between $30,000 and $100,000 a year to super once they passed age 50, while those under 50 only contributed between $5,000 and $20,000 a year.

“The lead-up to retirement, beginning around age 50, is a critical time period for individuals to plan and grow their retirement savings,” the association said.

“These are the final years of full-time work and provide the greatest opportunity with an intersection of financial capability and proximity to retirement.”

Based on revenue estimates in the 2016-17 budget, the SMSFA estimated the cost of increasing the concessional contribution cap to $35,000 for those over 50 would be around $1 billion. However, the association suggested limiting this cap to those with under $500,000 in super, similar to the recently introduced catch-up contribution measures.

“The superannuation system previously encompassed a dual contribution cap for individuals at age 50. The higher cap was then removed to prevent higher-income workers from contributing large amounts of pre-tax dollars into superannuation,” the association said.

“However, in the current superannuation system a return to dual contribution caps can now be effectively targeted through the use of the total superannuation balance measures.”

Using the example of a 50-year-old fund member with $300,000 in super, the SMSFA said if they were able to contribute $10,000 more a year until age 65, the individual would retire with $184,000 more in their super, assuming a 6 per cent annual return.

“This would encourage individuals to contribute to their superannuation and, in the long term, reduce the reliance on the age pension,” the association said.