Latest Financial Planning News

Hot Issues
Div 296 sparking death benefit discussions
ATO warns SMSF trustees to be aware of increase in scams
Roles and Responsibilities in a Business Partnership
Beware of tax implications for failing to meet minimum pension requirements: consultant
Leasing property owned by an SMSF
A super contributions deadline you won’t want to miss
How topping up your super each year could leave you $80,000 better off in retirement
Evolution of Boeing - 1916 - 2025
ATO issues guidance on SMSF trustee appointment and compliance
ASIC to increase audit surveillance in 2025–26
Investment and economic outlook, May 2025
Legal case has succession planning lessons for SMSF members, advisers: legal expert
Your 30 June superannuation checklist
Start-ups to suffer under Div 296
New SMSF trustees propel uptake of financial advice
Comparison of various Animal Weight
$95bn loss predicted to Australian economy if Div 296 passes: analysis
Why more Australian SMSF owners are looking to global equities
Investment and economic outlook, April 2025
Trustees reminded of minimum pension drawdown
How boosting your super can help you reduce your tax bill
Are your adult children ready for the wealth transfer?
Financial abuse move now a certainty
Freshwater Resources by Country 2025
Investment and economic outlook, March 2025
Advisers should be aware of signs of elder abuse in SMSF structures
SMSFs hold record levels of cash and property
Trustees warned on early access
The Largest Empires in the World's History
Articles archive
Quarter 1 January - March 2025
Quarter 4 October - December 2024
Quarter 3 July - September 2024
Quarter 2 April - June 2024
Quarter 1 January - March 2024
Quarter 4 October - December 2023
Quarter 3 July - September 2023
Quarter 2 April - June 2023
Quarter 1 January - March 2023
Quarter 4 October - December 2022
Quarter 3 July - September 2022
Quarter 2 April - June 2022
Quarter 1 January - March 2022
Quarter 4 October - December 2021
Quarter 3 July - September 2021
Quarter 2 April - June 2021
Quarter 1 January - March 2021
Quarter 4 October - December 2020
Quarter 3 July - September 2020
Quarter 2 April - June 2020
Quarter 1 January - March 2020
Quarter 4 October - December 2019
Quarter 3 July - September 2019
Quarter 2 April - June 2019
Quarter 1 January - March 2019
Quarter 4 October - December 2018
Quarter 3 July - September 2018
Quarter 2 April - June 2018
Quarter 1 January - March 2018
Quarter 4 October - December 2017
Quarter 3 July - September 2017
Quarter 2 April - June 2017
Quarter 1 January - March 2017
Quarter 4 October - December 2016
Quarter 3 July - September 2016
Quarter 2 April - June 2016
Quarter 1 January - March 2016
Quarter 4 October - December 2015
Quarter 3 July - September 2015
Quarter 2 April - June 2015
Quarter 1 January - March 2015
Quarter 4 October - December 2014
Quarter 3 July - September 2014
Quarter 2 April - June 2014
Quarter 1 January - March 2014
Quarter 4 October - December 2013
Quarter 3 July - September 2013
Quarter 2 April - June 2013
Quarter 1 January - March 2013
Quarter 4 October - December 2012
Quarter 3 July - September 2012
Quarter 2 April - June 2012
Quarter 1 January - March 2012
Quarter 4 October - December 2011
Quarter 3 July - September 2011
Quarter 2 April - June 2011
Quarter 1 January - March 2011
Quarter 4 October - December 2010
Quarter 3 July - September 2010
Quarter 2 April - June 2010
Quarter 1 January - March 2010
Quarter 4 October - December 2009
Quarter 3 July - September 2009
Quarter 2 April - June 2009
Quarter 1 January - March 2009
Quarter 4 October - December 2008
Quarter 3 July - September 2008
Quarter 2 April - June 2008
Quarter 1 January - March 2008
Quarter 4 October - December 2007
Quarter 3 July - September 2007
Quarter 2 April - June 2007
Quarter 1 January - March 2007
Quarter 4 October - December 2006
How topping up your super each year could leave you $80,000 better off in retirement

The power of regular voluntary super contributions



.


As the end of the financial year approaches, it’s the perfect time to consider giving your super a boost. 


New analysis from Vanguard shows that small, consistent contributions can make a big difference to your retirement savings and even reduce your tax bill.


According to Vanguard’s research, a 30-year-old who contributes just $1,000 extra annually to their super for 15 years could be nearly $80,000 better off by the time they retire at age 67.1 That works out to just under $20 per week.


Even a single $1,000 contribution at age 30 could grow to more than $8,400 by retirement, thanks to the power of compound interest.


“The key to boosting your retirement savings is the power of compound interest. So, the earlier you start, the better,” says Renae Smith, Chief of Personal Investor at Vanguard Australia.


The following table highlights the potential growth in your retirement balance from making yearly additional contributions of $500 or $1,000 over 10 or 15 years, starting at age 30.


 

Additional Payment


(annually)

 Boost to super by age 67

Regular contributions for 10 years from age 30 

$500

$30,473

 

$1,000

$60,947

Regular contributions for 15 years from age 30

$500

$39,928

 

$1,000

$79,856


 

 


How topping up your super balance before 30 June could reduce your tax bill


You may be able to claim a tax deduction for a voluntary contribution, which can help reduce your overall tax bill, as these contributions are generally taxed at a lower rate than most Australians’ marginal income tax rates.


For example, a 30-year-old earning $80,000 who makes a $1,000 voluntary super contribution and claims a tax deduction would receive a tax refund of $320 when they lodge their tax return. That means their net reduction in take-home pay is effectively $680.


After accounting for the 15% contributions tax, $850 would be added to their super. So, they’ve effectively reduced their net take-home pay by $680 to boost their super by $850 — leaving them $170 better off overall, as the table below shows.


Voluntary contribution to super

$1,000

Tax deduction claimed

$320 (assuming a 32% marginal tax rate, including Medicare levy, based on an income of $80,000)

Reduction in take-home pay

$1,000 - $320 = $680

Amount added to super (after 15% contributions tax)

$1,000 - $150 = $850

Net benefit

Take-home pay is reduced by $680 to boost super by $850. The net benefit is $170.


 

 


Don’t leave it to the last minute


To take advantage of these benefits this financial year, it’s important to act early.


It’s a good idea to aim to make any additional contributions at least a week before 30 June to allow for processing. For Vanguard Super members, the deadline to notify us of a voluntary concessional contribution is 23 June.


It’s also important to remember to submit a ‘Notice of intent’ form to your super fund before lodging your tax return if you plan to claim a deduction.


Also, keep in mind the contributions cap. This financial year, Australians can contribute up to $30,000 to their super at the favourable tax rate of 15%. These are known as concessional contributions, and the cap includes any mandatory contributions from employers. If you exceed that, it could lead to paying extra tax.


If you’d like to make regular additional contributions to your super, consider setting up a salary sacrifice arrangement with your employer. This way, a set portion of your before-tax salary is automatically paid into your super account each time you’re paid, helping you grow your retirement savings consistently and tax-effectively.


The end of financial year is also a great time to review your super fund’s performance and fees. At Vanguard, we’re committed to offering Australians a low-cost, easy-to-understand superannuation option that’s built for long-term growth.


Learn more about how to make the most of your super before 30 June by visiting the Vanguard Super website.


 


Important information: 


The above examples are illustrative only and are based on the factors stated. It should not be taken to contain or provide an estimate or forecast. This information is not a substitute for tax advice. It has been prepared based on a set of assumptions which may not be applicable to you. If you are in any doubt about your personal tax position, we recommend that you seek tax advice from a registered tax agent. 


1. Assumes 15% contributions tax on voluntary super contributions and gross investment returns of 6.4% based on the 10-year average annualised rate of return published in the APRA Annual Superannuation Bulletin (January 2025). Past performance should not be relied upon, and is not, an indication of future performance.


 


 


11 June 2025
By Vanguard
vanguard.com.au




12th-July-2025