Recontribution Strategy: Optimize Your Superannuation for Tax Efficiency

A recontribution strategy is a powerful tool for reducing the tax burden on your beneficiaries upon your death. While Australia doesn’t have an inheritance tax, superannuation proceeds can be taxed if received by non-tax dependent beneficiaries, usually adult children. Here’s how a recontribution strategy can help you optimize your superannuation for tax efficiency and wealth creation.

What is a Recontribution Strategy?

A recontribution strategy involves withdrawing funds from your superannuation and then re-contributing them back into the same fund. This approach is designed to convert taxable components of your superannuation into tax-free components, thus reducing the tax liability for your beneficiaries.

Taxable vs. Tax-Free Components

Understanding the components of your superannuation is crucial:

• Taxable Component: Funds contributed pre-tax, such as employer or salary sacrifice contributions.
• Tax-Free Component: Funds contributed after tax.

Upon your death, non-tax dependent beneficiaries will pay tax on the taxable component, but not on the tax-free component. Therefore, converting taxable funds to tax-free can significantly reduce their tax burden.

How Does a Recontribution Strategy Work?

Typically, this strategy is implemented after the age of 60 and upon ceasing work, or after the age of 65, as withdrawals at these stages are tax-free. By withdrawing and then re-contributing these funds as after-tax contributions, they become part of the tax-free component.

Consider a scenario where an individual withdraws $330,000 from their superannuation after the age of 65. This withdrawal is tax-free. If the same amount is re-contributed using the bring-forward rule, the funds re-enter the superannuation as tax-free. Without this strategy, if the funds were inherited by a non-tax dependent beneficiary, approximately $56,000 would be payable in taxes.

Key Considerations

• Buy-Sell and Transaction Costs: Evaluate the costs associated with withdrawing and re-contributing funds.
• Contribution Limits: Ensure you do not breach withdrawal or contribution limits.
• Professional Advice: It is crucial to seek financial advice to navigate the complexities and maximize the benefits of a recontribution strategy.

A recontribution strategy is a selfless act aimed at minimizing the tax burden on your beneficiaries. By converting taxable superannuation funds to tax-free components, you can significantly reduce the taxes payable by your non-tax dependent beneficiaries.

Consult with an expert to determine if this strategy is suitable for your financial situation. Let an expert financial advisor guide you through your journey to financial management!

To find out if our strategies are right for you, feel free to contact 360 Financial Strategists online or on 03 9427 0855.