All you need to know about super co-contributions
If you’re a low-to-middle income earner, the government could help boost your super savings through the super co-contribution and the low-income super contribution.
If you’re eligible for a super co-contribution, the government will match your personal super contributions up to a maximum amount.
You don’t need to apply for the super co-contribution. If you’re eligible, all you need to do is make personal super contributions and lodge an income tax return.
The ATO uses the information on your income tax return and the contributions information they receive from your super fund or retirement savings account to work out whether you’re eligible. If you are, they’ll automatically calculate the co-contribution amount and deposit it into your super account.
You’re eligible for a super co-contribution if:
- You made an eligible personal super contribution in the income year.
- Your total income (which includes reportable employer super contributions) was less than the higher income threshold for that year.
- 10 per cent or more of your total income was from eligible employment, running a business or a combination of both.
- You were less than 71 years old at the end of the income year.
- You did not hold an eligible temporary resident visa at any time during the year (unless you were a New Zealand citizen or the holder of a prescribed visa).
- You lodged your income tax return for the relevant income year.
Calculating your super co-contribution – Your maximum super co-contribution depends on your income. If your income is equal to or less than the lower income threshold ($33,516 for the 2013 to 14 income year) you can get a co-contribution of up to the maximum entitlement. For every dollar that you earn above the lower income threshold, your maximum entitlement is reduced by 3.33 cents. You cannot get a super co-contribution if your income is at or above the higher income threshold.
The amount of your super co-contribution depends on the amount of non-concessional (after-tax) contributions you put into super and the matching rate for the financial year you made the contribution.
The low-income super contribution (LISC) is a government payment to help low income earners save for their retirement. Your LISC is 15 per cent of the concessional (before tax) super contributions you or your employer make. The maximum payment you can receive for the financial year is $500 and the minimum is $10.
You are eligible for a LISC if:
- You have concessional contributions for the year made to a complying super fund.
- You are not a holder of a temporary resident visa (New Zealand citizens in Australia do not hold temporary resident visas and are therefore eligible for the payment).
- If you lodge an income tax return, 10 per cent or more of your total income comes from business or employment and your actual adjusted taxable income does not exceed $37,000.
- If you do not lodge an income tax return, 10 per cent or more of your total income comes from employment and your adjusted taxable income estimated by the ATO does not exceed $37,000.
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