Key superannuation rates and thresholds

Concessional contributions cap

Concessional contributions include:

employer contributions (including contributions made under a salary sacrifice arrangement)
personal contributions claimed as a tax deduction by a self-employed person.

Income year

Amount of cap

2013-14

$25,000

2012-13

$25,000

2011-12

$25,000

2010-11

$25,000

2009-10

$25,000

2008-09

$50,000

2007-08

$50,000

In accordance with section 960-285 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 (ITAA 1997), the concessional contributions cap is indexed in line with average weekly ordinary time earnings (AWOTE), in increments of $5,000 (rounded down). The new indexed amount is generally available each February.

Parliament recently passed legislation to pause the indexation of the concessional contributions cap at $25,000 up to and including the 2013-14 year. Normal indexation resumes for the 2014-15 year.

Concessional contributions cap for people 50 years old or over up to 30 June 2012

From 1 July 2012, all individuals have a concessional contributions cap of $25,000.

An increased concessional contributions cap applied until 30 June 2012 for people who were 50 years old or over:

If you were 50 years old or over, your annual cap for the 2007-08 and 2008-09 financial years was $100,000.
If you were 50 years old or over, your annual cap for the 2009-10, 2010-11 and 2011-12 financial years was $50,000.

If you had more than one fund, all concessional contributions made to all your funds were added together and counted towards the cap. This cap was not indexed.

The government has announced changes that, if passed by parliament, will provide an unindexed concessional contributions cap of $35,000 for:

from 1 July 2013 - individuals who are 60 years old or over

from 1 July 2014 - individuals who are 50 years old or over.

We will publish updated guidance if these announced changes become law.

Sections within Contributions caps

Last Modified: Friday, 24 May 2013