Register For Our Mailing List

Register to receive our free weekly newsletter including editorials.

Super wishlist: what the industry hoped for

In the lead up to the 2019 Budget, there were hundreds of submissions sent to the Treasury on how our taxes should be collected and how government income should be spent.

We take a look at what the superannuation industry suggested, in particular focussing on any changes proposed to the current super regime. None of the significant changes were adopted.

Self-Managed Super Fund Association (SMSFA)

Contributions

  • An increase in tax deductible contributions from $25,000 to $35,000 p.a. if you are 50 years or older.
  • Allow you to contribute to super up to age 75 without having to meet a work test once you reach 65.

Super balances

  • Allowing a couple to even out their super balances which will allow both to use the $1.6 million pension cap more effectively.

Benefit withdrawals

  • Allowing the many varieties of pensions that have evolved over time to be converted to account-based pensions. For most, this would mean just one type of pension to be paid, to help simplify the super system.
  • Allowing transition to retirement pensions to convert to account-based pensions when you meet a retirement condition of release of age 65.

Fund administration

  • Simplifying the contribution rules so that SMSF trustees/members who move overseas for a short period can be treated on the same basis as members of larger super funds. This mainly impacts on your ability to make contributions to your SMSF while you are overseas. The same situation does not occur with larger super funds.
  • No need for your SMSF to obtain an actuarial certificate where it is wholly in retirement phase for the year.
  • Re-introduction of SMSFs to choose when the assets are pooled or segregated for taxation purposes irrespective of your super balance. From 1 July 2017 many SMSFs had no choice but to use the pooled method.
  • Simplifying how child pensions are counted for purposes of the $1.6 million transfer balance cap.
  • Encourage the government to pass the legislation which requires it to take into account the objective of superannuation independently of the government’s budget process.

Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand

Contributions

  • Increase tax deductible contributions from $25,000 to $50,000.
  • Replace annual contributions with lifetime caps.
  • Introduce a once-off amnesty for employers who have not been paying the correct amount of superannuation guarantee contributions. Legislation is currently in the parliament to allow this to occur but has not been passed.

Super balances

  • Permit joint super accounts for spouses.

Benefit withdrawals

  • Allowing the conversion of previous types of pensions to account-based pensions. This would help simplify the super system.

Fund administration

  • No need for your SMSF to obtain an actuarial certificate where it is wholly in retirement phase for the year.
  • A review of binding death benefit nominations.

Tax & Super Australia

Contributions

  • Increase tax deductible contributions from the current $25,000 if you are 50 or older irrespective of your super balance.
  • Extension of the carry-forward concessional contributions for unused concessional contributions to be carried forward without any restrictions.
  • Removal of the work test for anyone aged between 65 and 75.
  • Insurance proceeds received by a fund member from temporary or permanent invalidity be contributed to super without any contribution limits applying. This would be similar to the treatment of structured settlement payments under the current rules.

Fund administration

  • Changes to the administration of the $1.6 million transfer balance cap concerning notification of tax payments.
  • Alternative dispute resolutions where an SMSF has suffered loss due to fraud or dishonesty.

Australian Institute of Superannuation Trustees (AIST)

Contributions

  • Abolish the minimum monthly superannuation guarantee income threshold of $450 so that all employees irrespective of earnings will have super paid for them.
  • Taxpayers eligible for the low-income superannuation tax offset receive an additional superannuation contribution.
  • Superannuation guarantee contributions be paid on parental leave payments.
  • Extension of superannuation guarantee to independent contractors and self-employed workers.
  • Increase the rate of superannuation guarantee earlier than the proposed program.

Super balances

  • Greater work by the Australian Taxation Office to reconnect super fund members with their lost super.

Fund administration

  • Establish a council to assess whether the superannuation system is delivering its objectives.
  • Including the right to superannuation as part of a person’s employment conditions.
  • Encourage the government to pass the legislation which requires it to take into account the objective of superannuation independently of the government’s budget process.

 

Graeme Colley is the Executive Manager, SMSF Technical and Private Wealth at SuperConcepts, a sponsor of Cuffelinks. This article is for general information purposes only and does not consider any individual’s investment objectives.

For more articles and papers from SuperConcepts, please click here.

 

RELATED ARTICLES

Super boost: more flexibility for retirement

Are lifetime income streams the answer or just the easy way out?

Is 'The Great Australian Dream' a sham?

banner

Most viewed in recent weeks

16 ASX stocks to buy and hold forever, updated

This time last year, I highlighted 16 ASX stocks that investors could own indefinitely. One year on, I look at whether there should be any changes to the list of stocks as well as which companies are worth buying now. 

2025-26 super thresholds – key changes and implications

The ABS recently released figures which are used to determine key superannuation rates and thresholds that will apply from 1 July 2025. This outlines the rates and thresholds that are changing and those that aren’t.  

Is Gen X ready for retirement?

With the arrival of the new year, the first members of ‘Generation X’ turned 60, marking the start of the MTV generation’s collective journey towards retirement. Are Gen Xers and our retirement system ready for the transition?

Why the $5.4 trillion wealth transfer is a generational tragedy

The intergenerational wealth transfer, largely driven by a housing boom, exacerbates economic inequality, stifles productivity, and impedes social mobility. Solutions lie in addressing the housing problem, not taxing wealth.

The 2025 Australian Federal election – implications for investors

With an election due by 17 May, we are effectively in campaign mode with the Government announcing numerous spending promises since January and the Coalition often matching them. Here's what the election means for investors.

What Warren Buffett isn’t saying speaks volumes

Warren Buffett's annual shareholder letter has been fixture for avid investors for decades. In his latest letter, Buffett is reticent on many key topics, but his actions rather than words are sending clear signals to investors.

Latest Updates

World's largest asset manager wants to revolutionise your portfolio

Larry Fink is one of the smartest people in the finance industry. In his latest shareholder letter, the Blackrock CEO outlines his quest to become the biggest player in private assets and upend investor portfolios.

Economy

Australia's economic report card heading into the polls

Our economy grew by a nominal rate of 7% per annum from 2017 to 2024, but it benefited from the largesse of fiscal and monetary policies, both of which are now fading. We need a new, credible economic growth agenda.

Preference votes matter

If the recent polls are anything to go by, we are headed for a hung parliament at the upcoming federal election. So more than ever, Australians need to give serious consideration to their preference votes.

SMSF strategies

Meg on SMSFs: Tips for the last member standing

It’s common for people as they age to seek more help in running their SMSF if their capacity declines. An alternate director may be a great solution for someone just planning for short-term help in the meantime.

Wilson Asset Management on markets and its new income fund

In this interview, Matthew Haupt from Wilson Asset Management discusses his outloook for the ASX, sectors such as REITs that he likes, and his firm's launch of a new income-oriented listed investment company.  

Planning

‘Life expectancy’ – and why I don’t like the expression

Life expectancy isn't just a number - it's a concept that changes with survival rates over time. This article breaks down how age, survival, and societal factors shape our understanding of life expectancy, especially post-Covid. 

The shine is back on gold, and gold miners

Gold mining stocks outperformed in 2024 and are expected to do well in 2025. At this point in the rally, it's worth considering what has driven gold prices higher and why miners could still have some catching up to do.

Sponsors

Alliances

© 2025 Morningstar, Inc. All rights reserved.

Disclaimer
The data, research and opinions provided here are for information purposes; are not an offer to buy or sell a security; and are not warranted to be correct, complete or accurate. Morningstar, its affiliates, and third-party content providers are not responsible for any investment decisions, damages or losses resulting from, or related to, the data and analyses or their use. To the extent any content is general advice, it has been prepared for clients of Morningstar Australasia Pty Ltd (ABN: 95 090 665 544, AFSL: 240892), without reference to your financial objectives, situation or needs. For more information refer to our Financial Services Guide. You should consider the advice in light of these matters and if applicable, the relevant Product Disclosure Statement before making any decision to invest. Past performance does not necessarily indicate a financial product’s future performance. To obtain advice tailored to your situation, contact a professional financial adviser. Articles are current as at date of publication.
This website contains information and opinions provided by third parties. Inclusion of this information does not necessarily represent Morningstar’s positions, strategies or opinions and should not be considered an endorsement by Morningstar.