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NFPG Federal Budget Retirees

How the Budget may affect retirees and pre-retirees

Federal Budget 2019
1. How the Budget may affect wealth builders
2. How the Budget may affect families
3. How the Budget may affect retirees and pre-retirees
4. How the Budget may affect high net individuals
5. How the Budget may affect Small Business Owners
6. How will the Federal Budget affect you?

This year’s Federal Budget is an ‘election budget’ with future tax cuts for all Australians, especially low and middle income earners. Overall, there were minimal changes to super proposed in the Budget, with minor changes to super contributions for older Australians.

We’ve summarised some of the key points from the Budget below, but remember these are subject to the passing of legislation.

  • From 1 July 2022, the upper personal income tax threshold for the 19% tax rate will increase to $45,000.
  • From 1 July 2024, the 32.5% tax rate will reduce to 30%.
  • Increase to the tax offset for low and middle income earners.
  • Increase to the age at which people can contribute to super without meeting the work-test.
  • A one-off energy assistance payment for people receiving government assistance.

Superannuation

Superannuation contributions for pre-retirees

From 1 July 2020, there will be no work test for people aged 65 and 66 when making concessional and non-concessional contributions. Currently, you need to work at least 40 hours over a 30 day period to contribute.
Also, the three-year bring-forward for non-concessional contributions is proposed to be extended to people aged 65 and 66 which means they could contribute up to $300,000 in non-concessional and $25,000 concessional contributions in one year.

Spouse contributions

From 1 July 2020, you can continue to receive spouse contributions up to age 74, up from age 69, if the work test is met. This will help couples even up their super balances as they near retirement.

Australian Defence Force Superannuation Scheme

The Government will allow Australian Defence Force Superannuation Scheme (ADF Super) members to choose to remain contributory members when they discharge from the Australian Defence Force.

Tax

Personal income tax cuts

The Government proposes the following personal income tax rates.

  • From 1 July 2022, the upper threshold of the 19% tax bracket will increase from $41,000 to $45,000 and the low income tax offset (LITO) will increase from $645 to $700.
  • From 1 July 2024, the 32.5% tax rate will reduce to 30%.

Proposed personal tax rates and thresholds

Proposed personal tax rates and thresholds
To help you estimate the tax benefits for your level of income refer to the Government’s online calculator (https://budget.gov.au/)

Low and middle income tax offset

The low and middle income tax offset (LMITO) will increase for the 2018/19 to 2021/22 financial years. After this, LMITO is not available. The maximum LMITO will increase from $530 to $1,080.

Medicare levy low income thresholds

From 1 July 2018, the Medicare levy low income thresholds will be increased to reflect movements in the consumer price index (CPI).

Social Security

Energy Assistance Payment

A one-off Energy Assistance Payment of $75 for singles and $62.50 for each eligible member of a couple. To be eligible, you must be receiving a qualifying Government payment on 2 April 2019 and be resident in Australia.
Qualifying payments are the Age Pension, Carer Payment, Disability Support Pension, Parenting Payment Single, the Veterans’ Service Pension and the Veterans’ Income Support supplement, Veterans’ disability payments, War Widow(er)’s Pension, and permanent impairment payments under the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 (including dependent partners) and the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988.

Partner Service Pension

Both former spouses and former de-facto partners of veterans will be able to continue to receive the partner service pension after their relationship with their veteran partner has ended, including situations where the relationship has ended because of family or domestic violence.

Government agency funding

The Government will provide additional funding to facilitate the Government’s response to the Royal Commission, including additional resources for the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) and the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA).

Aged Care

Additional Home Care packages

As previously announced on 10 February 2019, the Government will provide funding for an additional 10,000 Home Care places over five years from 2018/19.

What’s next?

The announcements in the update are proposals unless stated otherwise. These proposals need to be successfully passed through Parliament before becoming law and may be subject to change.

 

DISCLAIMER: The views expressed in this publication are solely those of the author; they are not reflective or indicative of RI Advice Group’s position and are not to be attributed to RI Advice Group. They cannot be reproduced in any form without the express written consent of the author. This information (including taxation) is general in nature and does not consider your individual circumstances or needs. Do not act until you seek professional advice. Newcastle Financial Planning Group, Central Coast Financial Planning Group, Sydney Wealth Advisers, Coastal Advice Port Macquarie and Coastal Advice Ballina Byron are subsidiaries of Coastal Advice Group Pty Ltd which is a Corporate Authorised Representative of RI Advice Group Pty Ltd, ABN 23 001 774 125 AFSL 238429.

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