retirement planning

Running an SMSF means becoming a trustee with direct legal compliance responsibility, not just choosing a different investment menu — the obligations most comparisons underweight.

A $540 tax offset for spouse contributions and separate contribution splitting of up to 85% of concessional contributions — two distinct tools for balancing a couple’s super.

The bring-forward rule lets eligible Australians contribute up to three years of non-concessional cap in one year — up to $390,000 — tiered by total super balance.

Converting super from accumulation into an account-based pension drops the tax rate on fund earnings from 15% to 0% — with legislated minimum drawdown rates by age.

The FHSS scheme lets first home buyers save inside super at the 15% contributions tax rate — up to $15,000 a year and $50,000 lifetime — instead of a standard savings account.

Australians 55+ can contribute up to $300,000 each ($600,000 per couple) from a home sale into super, outside the normal contribution caps and total super balance test.

How the carry-forward concessional contributions rule works, with a worked example showing how unused cap space accumulates for anyone with a total super balance under $500,000.

Division 296 adds an extra tax on realised super fund earnings attributable to balances above $3 million from 1 July 2026 — how it differs from the original 2023 proposal.

How a Transition to Retirement (TRIS) pension combined with salary sacrifice can shift income from marginal tax into the 15% super rate while keeping cash flow steady.