1. Concessional contributions: Concessional contributions include employer contributions (such as super guarantee contributions), salary sacrifice contributions, and personal deductible contributions. These contributions are taxed at a lower rate (15%) than your marginal tax rate, so contributing the maximum amount can help to reduce your tax bill while boosting your retirement savings.
2. Non-concessional contributions: Non-concessional contributions are after-tax contributions made to your super account. While there are limits on how much you can contribute each year (currently $110,000 per year or $330,000 over three years for individuals under age 67), contributing the maximum amount can help to boost your super balance and may also provide tax benefits.
3. Government co-contributions: If you earn below a certain threshold and make after-tax contributions to your super account, the government may provide a co-contribution of up to $500. To be eligible, you must earn less than $54,837 per year and make personal after-tax contributions to your super account.
4. Spouse contributions: If your spouse earns less than $37,000 per year, you may be eligible to receive a tax offset of up to $540 if you make after-tax contributions to their super account.
5. Consolidate super accounts: If you have multiple super accounts, consolidating them into one account can help you to save on fees and potentially increase your investment returns.
It's important to keep in mind that there are limits on how much you can contribute to your super account each year. For the 2021/22 financial year, the concessional contribution cap is $27,500 and the non-concessional contribution cap is $110,000 (or $330,000 over three years for individuals under age 67). It's always a good idea to speak with a financial adviser before making any significant contributions to your super account.