Downsizer contributions offer more than meets the eye
Retiree clients looking to sell their property can often contribute more to their SMSF than expected through the government’s recently introduced downsizer contribution rules, due to the flexibility to split contributions between spouses and use them in conjunction with other contribution rules, according to Fitzpatricks Private Wealth.
Speaking at SMSF Adviser’s SMSF Summit 2019 event in Brisbane, the advice firm’s head of strategic advice, Colin Lewis, said it was possible for clients approaching their 65th birthday in particular to double their contribution amounts by making use of the downsizer and bring-forward contributions and potentially splitting contributions with their spouse.
“Clients must be age 65 at the time of contribution [to use downsizer], not when they sell the house, it’s when they wish to contribute the proceeds into super,” Mr Lewis said.
“So, when they sell the house they can be under 65, but if within a 90-day period they turn 65, they can make contributions, so it’s the timing that is the essence here if you are dealing with a client that is 64 and thinking of selling their home.”
Mr Lewis gave the example of Ron and Paula, who were 76 and 64, respectively, and planning to sell their $1.5 million home before Paula’s 65th birthday in December 2019. Ron had an existing account-based pension worth $1.6 million while Paula had $1 million in accumulation phase, and the couple had a joint investment portfolio worth $1.5 million outside super.
“On 16 October, they enter into a contract to sell their home for $1.5 million with settlement on 27 November,” he said.
“From the proceeds, Ron and Paula make the following contributions within 90 days: Ron makes a $300,000 downsizer contribution; prior to her 65th birthday, Paula makes a $300,000 non-concessional contribution; and after turning 65 she makes a $300,000 downsizer contribution and commences an account-based pension of $1.6 million.
“So, they’ve rearranged their affairs, they’ve now got a new house worth $1.6 million, Ron’s got an accumulation benefit worth $300,000, Paula’s got an account-based pension of $1.6 million, and their money outside super is $500,000. So, what they’ve been able to do is upsize, put more into super and make a downsizer contribution.”
Mr Lewis added that splitting contributions between a couple was another good way to make the most of the downsizer rules, given that a client’s spouse did not need to have been an owner of the property to use the proceeds for their contribution.
“The spouse doesn’t have to be on the title to contribute — with spouses, it all hinges on whether the owner of the property is eligible, and if they are, the spouse can contribute too provided they’re 65 or above,” he said.
Sarah Kendell
29 October 2019
smsfadviser.com
Latest Newsletters
Hot Issues
- SMSF assets reach record levels amid share market rally
- Many Australians have a fear of running out
- How to get into the retirement comfort zone
- NALE bill passed by parliament
- Compliance focus impacts wind-ups
- LRBA interest rates increase for 2025
- Income-free areas set to increase from 1 July
- Most Spoken Languages in the World
- Middle-to-higher incomes boosting SMSF growth
- Investment and economic outlook, May 2024
- Transitioning into retirement: What you should know
- Plan now to take advantage of stage 3 tax cuts
- Deeming freeze a win for Age Pensioners
- Downsizer contributions can be time critical
- The superannuation changes from 1 July
- The Deadliest pandemics in History
- Winners & Losers
- Budget breakdown – Federal Government Analysis
- Federal Budget 2024
- Getting to a higher level of financial literacy in Australia
- What is the future of advice and how far off is superannuation 2.0?
- Investment and economic outlook, April 2024
- Australia’s debt service ratio ‘extraordinary’: CBA
- Connecting an adviser with your children
- ACCC scam report
- The Shortest-reigning Monarchs in History
- ATO warns trustees about increasing crypto scams
- Aged care report goes to the heart of Australia’s tax debate
- Removed super no longer protected from creditors: court
- ATO investigating 16.5k SMSFs over valuation compliance
- The 2025 Financial Year Tax & Super Changes You Need to Know!
- Investment and economic outlook, March 2024
Article archive
- April - June 2024
- January - March 2024
- October - December 2023
- July - September 2023
- April - June 2023
- January - March 2023
- October - December 2022
- July - September 2022
- April - June 2022
- January - March 2022
- October - December 2021
- July - September 2021
- April - June 2021
- January - March 2021
- October - December 2020
- July - September 2020
- April - June 2020
- January - March 2020
- October - December 2019
- July - September 2019
- April - June 2019
- January - March 2019
- October - December 2018
- July - September 2018
- April - June 2018
- January - March 2018
- October - December 2017
- July - September 2017
- April - June 2017
- January - March 2017
- October - December 2016
- July - September 2016
- April - June 2016
- January - March 2016
- October - December 2015
- July - September 2015
- April - June 2015
October - December 2019 archive
- Our Advent calendar for 2019
- The economic and investment outlook for 2020
- You'll be the life of the party when armed with this information!
- Review queries retirement system understanding
- Retirement planning in 15 minutes a day
- Eggs, baskets and diversified SMSF investment strategies
- New opportunities for employees to claim additional superannuation
- ATO provides further trustee instructions on myGovID
- The main benefits of professional financial help.
- Downsizer contributions offer more than meets the eye
- 6 new financial videos
- All Australia's vital statistics - October 2019
- Does your mind help or hinder your investment success?
- Traversing a synchronised economic slowdown
- Four key principles that help achieve portfolio success
- A positive pension change with a cash rate twist
- Shares to remain volatile as trade war heats up
- NALI, LRBA measures pass Parliament
- Interest rising in SMSF set-up
- Choosing your investment strategy
- ATO letters indicate a wider SMSF warning
- Australia by the numbers - September 2019
- ATO opens applications for SG exemption