A recent speech by the ATO’s Assistant Commissioner for Superannuation demonstrates the very practical problems with the new superannuation rules.
The $1.6 million transfer balance cap (TBC) that limits the amount you can hold in a superannuation pension requires trustees to be aware of how close they are to this limit at all times. To ensure that this cap is not breached, trustees need to report common events that may impact on a member’s pension account. Trustees should have already reported pre-existing pensions (pensions members were receiving just before 1 July 2017 that they have continued to receive and which are in retirement phase on or after 1 July 2017).
This new event-based reporting requirement is causing a few headaches with the wrong information or no information being reported. Common ‘events’ that need to be reported include:
- The start of new retirement phase pensions
- The full or partial pay-out of a pension (commutation), and
- Some limited recourse borrowing arrangements.
Some information does not need to be reported including withdrawals from accumulation accounts, standard pension payments, or investment earnings or losses made on or after 1 July 2017.
Should you require further information, please feel free to contact Peter Quinn by submitting an enquiry or calling us on +61 2 9580 9166.
The information in this document does not take into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs and so you should consider its appropriateness having regard to these factors before acting on it. It is important that your personal circumstances are taken into account before making any financial decision and it is recommended that you seek assistance from your financial adviser.
