Megan Inverarity
Director
Megan Inverarity
Director
Is ‘downsizing’ worth it?
From 1 January 2023, those 55 and over can make a ‘downsizer’ contribution to superannuation.
Downsizer contributions are an excellent way to get money into superannuation quickly and now that the age limit has reduced to 55 from 60, more people have an opportunity to use this strategy if it suits their needs.
What’s a ‘downsizer’ contribution?
If you are aged 55 years or older, you can contribute $300,000 from the proceeds of the sale of your home to your superannuation fund.
Downsizer contributions are excluded from the existing age test, work test, and the transfer balance threshold (but are limited by your transfer balance cap).
For couples, both members of a couple can take advantage of the concession for the same home. That is, if you and your spouse meet the other criteria, both of you can contribute up to $300,000 ($600,000 per couple). This is the case even if one of you did not have an ownership interest in the property that was sold (assuming they meet the other criteria).
Sale proceeds contributed to superannuation under this measure count towards the Age Pension assets test. Because a downsizer contribution can only be made once in a lifetime, it is important to ensure that this is the right option for you.
Let’s look at the eligibility criteria:
Do I have to buy another smaller home?
The name ‘downsizer’ is a bit of a misnomer. To access this measure, you do not have to buy another home once you have sold your existing home, and you are not required to buy a smaller home – you could buy a larger and more expensive one. If you are contemplating using ‘downsizer’, let’s have a chat about your objectives and whether this is the right fit for you. There is a lot to unpack with the downsizer rules, the timing and its suitability.
Note: The material and contents provided in this publication are informative in nature only. It is not intended to be advice and you should not act specifically on the basis of this information alone. If expert assistance is required, professional advice should be obtained.
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