Superannuation rules can feel simple right up until you try to do something real with your money: top up after a late start, replace COVID withdrawals, sell an investment property, or help your kids with their mortgage. We take listener questions live and turn them into a practical guide to the super decisions Australians are making right now, with clear language around what you can do, what you can’t do, and what to ask your fund before you act.
We walk through the key super contribution caps and how they actually work in practice: the $27,500 concessional contributions limit (including employer Super Guarantee), the $110,000 non-concessional cap, and why that 15% contributions tax can still be a win when your marginal tax rate is higher. We also dig into strategies people miss, like catch-up concessional contributions for balances under $500,000 and how that can help in a high-tax year, especially after a capital gain. If you’re worried about market swings close to retirement, we talk through how contributions and investment options can be adjusted together.
Then we tackle the messy, real-world edge cases: when you can withdraw super tax-free after 60, what a condition of release really means, how gifting can affect Centrelink and the Age Pension, and why early release for medical reasons is so hard under the sole purpose test. We also cover what to do if you’ve been locked out of a member investment option after a platform upgrade, why illiquid investments can trap you, and when APRA or an SMSF might be part of the solution.
If you want your super to feel less like a black box and more like a plan, hit subscribe, share this with a mate who’s been putting it off, and leave us a review so more Australians can find the episode.
DISCLAIMER: This podcast contains general financial information only. That means the information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Because of that, you should consider if the information is appropriate to you and your needs, before acting on it. If you’re confused about what that means or what your needs are, you should always consult a licensed and trusted financial planner. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information in this podcast, including any financial, taxation, and/or legal information. Remember, past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The Rask Group is NOT a qualified tax accountant, financial (tax) adviser, or financial adviser. Access The Rask Group's Financial Services Guide (FSG): https://www.rask.com.au/fsg