Partnerships are about supporting each other. If your super balance — or your partner’s — needs a boost, there are 2 ways you can help each other out.
How to boost your partner's super
You can add to your partner's super using either before-tax or after-tax money. There are different processes and benefits for each option — the best method for you and your partner will depend on your circumstances.
Before-tax — splitting concessional contributions
How it works
Splitting is the process of giving your partner1 a portion of your super contributions. Here's how it works:
- Your account receives eligible before-tax contributions — that is, employer, salary sacrifice or deductible personal contributions.
- You request for some of those contributions (up to 85%) to be transferred to your partner's super.
How to get started
Check your balance
For contribution splits with NGS, your account balance after the split cannot be less than $10,000. You can request one split per year.
Check your request timing
If you want to split your contributions, we must receive your application by the end of the financial year after the contributions were made.
Complete a Contribution splitting form
Once you’ve decided how much you’d like to split with your spouse (within the limit), simply complete a Contribution splitting form and send it to us.
For all the rules around contribution splitting, read our fact sheet Split super contributions with your spouse.
After-tax — make a spouse contribution
How it works
You can add money to your partner's1 super through a spouse contribution. Spouse contributions are made with after-tax money — that is, income that’s already had tax deducted from it (like the salary you receive from your employer). If you make a spouse contribution, it will count towards your partner's non-concessional contributions cap. You can read about the cap details in our fact sheet Opportunities and limits for super contributions.
Spouse contributions up to $3,000 may make you (as the contributing spouse) eligible for a tax offset of up to $540. Your partner (the receiving spouse) will need an annual income less than $40,000 for this to happen.
Check your eligibility for a tax offset
If your spouse (as the receiving spouse) can answer ‘yes' to the statements below, you will be eligible for a tax offset on the spouse contribution you make to their super:
Eligibility check
- They are under age 75.
- You will both will be Australian residents at the time the eligible spouse contribution is made.
- You will not be living separately or apart from each other on a permanent basis when the eligible spouse contribution is made.
- The eligible spouse contribution will be made directly to their super account (not first to your fund, then split to their super).
- The contribution is not being made to satisfy a family law obligation.
The offset available is dependent on your spouse's (the receiving spouse’s) annual income. If their income is:
- less than $37,000, you'll receive the full offset which is 18% of the contribution (up to maximum amount)
- between $37,000 and $40,000, the offset is reduced for every $1 that their income is over $37,000
- over $40,000, there is no offset available.
How to get started
Check the receiving spouse's eligibility
Your spouse is eligible to receive a spouse contribution if they:
- haven’t already exceeded their non-concessional contributions cap for the relevant financial year
- have a total super balance of less than $1.7 million2
- are under age 75.
Complete a Spouse contribution form
Once you've decided how much you'd like to add to your partner's account, simply complete a Spouse contribution form, attach a cheque and send them to us.
Lodge your tax return
When you lodge your tax return, you'll need to declare the spouse contribution you made. If eligible, the tax offset will be applied.
To find out more about the spouse contribution rules, read our fact sheet Make spouse contributions work for you.
Calculate your super estimate
If you’re thinking about your retirement, an estimate of your retirement super balance is a good place to start your planning. Calculating your super estimate is easy with the right knowledge and tools.
