SuperGuide

Superannuation and retirement planning information

Expats guide to superannuation

Expats guide to superannuation

Australia has become part of the global workplace, and Australian citizens regularly leave our shores, and international citizens regular arrive to work temporarily in Australia, or permanently relocate, to start a new life. Australians often return to Australia more than once. What does all of this labour mobility mean for superannuation benefits?

For many people with Australian superannuation accounts, it will mean accessing super when they leave Australia, while for Australian citizens and permanent residents it will require action to ensure super savings are looked after while they live or work outside Australia. Upon arrival or return to Australia, some individuals will be able to transfer overseas benefits (specifically, NZ KiwiSaver accounts and UK pension accounts, although strict conditions apply and not always available).

Set out below are key SuperGuide articles explain the super rules for those leaving, living or working outside Australia:

Set out below are the latest guides that relate to expats guide to superannuation.

Which super funds accept transfers from KiwiSaver accounts?

If you have savings in a KiwiSaver account, you can voluntarily transfer them to an Australian super fund under the provisions of a Trans-Tasman Retirement Savings Portability scheme that was introduced on 1 July 2013.

What are the SMSF residency requirements?

Proposed legislation will relax the residency rules for SMSF members, but until then it pays to understand the current rules before heading overseas for an extended stay.

Should I retire overseas?

Many Australians dream of retiring overseas and some actually turn the dream into reality, but there are health and financial considerations to consider before you take the plunge.

Q&A: Can I do contribution splitting if I live overseas?

What these rules allow us to do is to split, so to take up to 85% of the concessional contributions that were made into our own super fund account last year and then split them or allocate them to our spouse’s super account in either our fund or any other fund in the current year.

Q&A: What happens to my SMSF if I travel or move overseas?

I would like to know if there are any
restrictions or conditions I have to be aware of regarding travelling overseas for extended periods of time in retirement. When I turn 70 next year I will stop working and will open an account-based pension income stream and will set up an SMSF. Then I want to start travelling.