Downsizer contributions: age limit change

To help those nearing retirement boost their super balances, people aged 65 and over can currently make downsizer contributions to their super of up to $300,000 from the proceeds of the sale of their home.

Downsizer contributions don’t count towards the super contribution caps, but do count towards the transfer balance cap, which applies when your super is moved into the retirement phase.

As part of a suite of measures introduced to provide more flexibility for those contributing to super, from 1 July 2022 the age limit for those making downsizer contributions will be decreased to include individuals aged 60 years or over. Optimistically, the government expects this decrease in the age threshold will encourage more older Australians to downsize sooner and “[free] up the stock of larger homes for younger families”.

If you or your spouse are thinking of selling the family home to capture a premium, especially in regional areas, some other criteria must be satisfied so you can to make a downsizer contribution to your super, including:

• the location of the home must be in Australia;
• the home must have been owned by your or your spouse for at least 10 years;
• the home must not be a caravan, houseboat or other mobile home;
• the disposal must be exempt or partially exempt from CGT under the main residence exemption; and
• a previous downsizer contribution must not have been made from the sale of another home or from the part sale of the current home.