Making downsizer super contributions: 10 things you need to know

Since 1 July 2018, Australians aged 65 years or older have been able to make a non-concessional (after-tax) contribution into their super account of up to $300,000 from the sale proceeds of their family home if they have owned the property for at least ten years.

Downsizer contributions have proved popular with some retirees, with more than 4,200 individuals making these contributions during the 2017/18 year.

The legislation requires the property being sold to be the person’s home (their main residence) and it must be eligible for the main residence exemption for capital gains tax. The home must be in Australia and cannot be a caravan, houseboat or other mobile home.

Couples will be able to contribute up to $300,000 each into their super accounts, giving a total contribution per couple of up to $600,000.

Any super contributions made using the downsizing rules do not count towards either your concessional (before-tax) or non-concessional (after-tax) contributions caps.

10 issues to consider with downsizing and contributing to super

1. It’s an opportunity to boost your super balance

Retirees who have not had the opportunity to save sufficient funds for a comfortable retirement can use the downsizer contribution rules to top up an inadequate super balance.

For some people, using the surplus proceeds from downsizing their home to make a contribution into their super account may be their first chance to use the beneficial tax environment of the super system.

2. There’s no ‘work test’ or age limit

The current work test for voluntary contributions into your super account if you are aged 65–74 does not apply to downsizer contributions. For more on the work test, read SuperGuide article Work test: Making super contributions over 67.

3. Contributions count towards your transfer balance cap

If you decide to make a downsizer contribution into your super account, it’s important to remember it will count towards your transfer balance cap (TBC) if you decide to move your super account into the tax-free retirement phase and start a retirement income stream.

If you have already reached your $1.6 million TBC, your downsizer contribution will need to remain in your accumulation phase super account (where it will be subject to 15% tax on any investment earnings from the contribution).

For more on the TBC, read SuperGuide article Definitive guide to the $1.6 million transfer balance cap.

4. Contributions are not subject to the Total Superannuation Balance limit

Since 1 July 2017, you cannot make non-concessional (after-tax) contributions to your super account if you have a Total Superannuation Balance (TSB) of $1.6 million or more.

If you have maxed out your opportunity to make non-concessional contributions to your super account, you can still make a downsizing contribution, as these contributions are exempt from the $1.6 million TSB limit. However, your downsizer contribution will count as part of your TSB in future financial years. (For more about your TSB, read SuperGuide articles What is included in my Total Superannuation Balance, and when does it apply? and A super guide to understanding the bring-forward rule.)

5. There’s no requirement to buy a new home

If you make a downsizing contribution (from the sale of your principal place of residence) you are not required to buy a new home. In fact, there is no requirement to buy a cheaper or smaller home after making a downsizer contribution, so you could decide to purchase a more expensive replacement.

6. You must submit a downsizer contribution form

To be eligible to make a downsizer contribution, you must provide your super fund with the Downsizer contribution into super form either before or at the time of making your downsizer contribution. This form allows your super fund to verify on behalf of the ATO that the contribution is from the sale of a family home owned for more than 10 years.

7. Contributions count toward Age Pension assessment tests

Your main residence is generally exempt from the assets and income tests used to determine eligibility for the Age Pension and DVA benefits, but super is generally not exempt, so it’s important to consider this before downsizing.

Downsizing contributions are counted for the assets and income tests, so you will be moving money out of an exempt asset (your family home) into the non-exempt and assessable environment of your super account.

It’s also worth noting that your super balance (including downsizer contributions) is used to determine eligibility for residential aged care and home care services.

8. It’s a one-time only offer

Under the downsizer contribution rules, you can only make contributions using the proceeds from the sale of one home. You cannot access it again for the sale of a second home.

For your downsizer contribution to be eligible, the proceeds from the sale of your home must be either exempt or partially exempt from capital gains tax (CGT) under the main resident exemption (or entitled to the exemption if it was purchased prior to 20 September 1985).

9. There’s a time limit for making the contribution into super

Under the downsizer contribution rules, you must make your downsizer contribution (or multiple contributions) within 90 days of receiving the sale proceeds (typically settlement day). You need to apply for an extension if you require a longer period due to circumstances outside your control, such as ill health or a family death.

10. You can invest the proceeds before contributing

Under the downsizer contribution rules, you have 90 days in which to make your contribution, but there are no rules on what you can do with the money during that period. During the period between settlement and making a super contribution, there are no rules preventing you from investing the sale proceeds or mixing the proceeds with other money.

For more on housing and super, read SuperGuide article How does the First Home Super Saver (FHSS) Scheme work?