We're a Baker Tilly network member
Learn more
Back to top
Federal Budget 2020-21: Superannuation
Article

Federal Budget 2020-21: Superannuation

The Government has announced the “Your Future, Your Super” package to improve the superannuation system and has confirmed a number of previously announced measures to apply from 1 July 2021.

Return to Federal Budget hub

Superannuation accounts will be ‘stapled’ to an employee when they change jobs

The Government has announced that, from 1 July 2021, they will implement a proposal to ‘staple’ an existing superannuation account to an individual as they move between jobs. The purpose of this measure is to reduce duplication of supeaccounts for individuals when they change jobs and do not nominate their existing fund with their new employer (or otherwise do not consolidate their super if a new account is created for them). 

This is a welcomed measure which reflects a proposal recently made by the Productivity Commission. Pitcher Partners expects that the changes will improve the employee onboarding process for both employees and employers, and that future enhancements to payroll software will further simplify administrative processes on commencement of employment. 

Underperforming funds will be prohibited from accepting new members

The Government has announced they will conduct benchmarking tests on superannuation funds and prohibit funds that underperform over two consecutive years from accepting new members until they cease underperforming. While the measure will take effect from 1 July 2021, it is not clear which year will be the first year subject to the new benchmarking test.

While this measure is welcomed, it is unclear how the Government will ensure the underlying fund data is reliable, as this is an issue which currently acts as a significant barrier to making simple comparisons of the performance of funds.

Members will have access to a new interactive tool to compare superannuation funds

The Government has announced that individuals will have access to a new interactive online YourSuper comparison tool to compare superannuation funds from 1 July 2021. It is expected that employees who change jobs will also be able to select a superannuation fund from within the YourSuper portal. 

This is a welcomed measure which would again depend on the integrity of the underlying data used for the comparison tool being reliable and comparable across superannuation fundsWe expect the measure would also simplify the onboarding process for employers as new employees should be able to select a superannuation fund themselves from their YourSuper portal. 

Small fund membership increased from four to six members

The Government restated an intention to increase the maximum number of fund members that can participate in a self-managed superannuation fund (SMSF) and a small APRA fund to six members (up from four). This measure was originally announced in the 2018-19 Budget and amending legislation is currently before the Senate with a start date from Royal Assent.

An increase in permitted member numbers to six would be a welcome change that should provide more opportunities for families to pool wealth in a common super fund structure for investment and access investment opportunities that would not otherwise be available. It may also make it easier for families to hold particular assets in a super fund structure and transition these to the next generation.

However, we note that a decision to include children in the one family super fund may not always be the best approach as all fund members have an equal say in investment and other fund management decisions regardless of the size of their super balance. This can result in issues where members at different stages of life may wish to pursue different investment strategies.

Minimum pension reduction

The Government also confirmed the 50% minimum pension drawdown reduction for the 2020-21 income year to help preserve the capital supporting a fund member’s pension account. 

Any individual with an account based pension, allocated pension or market linked pension is eligible to reduce their minimum pension for the 2020-21 income year. This change is intended to allow retirees to avoid selling assets in a loss position in order to satisfy the minimum drawdown requirements.

The table below sets out the reduced minimum drawdown requirements for the 2020-21 income year.

Age on 1 July 2020 (or commencement of pension if first year of pension) 

Normal minimum drawdown percentage

Reduced minimum drawdown percentage for the 2019-20 and 2020-21 income years 

Under 65  4%  2% 
65 – 74  5%  2.5% 
75 – 79  6%  3% 
80 – 84  7%  3.5% 
85 – 89  9%  4.5% 
90 – 94  11%  5.5% 
95 or more  14%  7% 
This content is general commentary only and does not constitute advice. Before making any decision or taking any action in relation to the content, you should consult your professional advisor. To the maximum extent permitted by law, neither Pitcher Partners or its affiliated entities, nor any of our employees will be liable for any loss, damage, liability or claim whatsoever suffered or incurred arising directly or indirectly out of the use or reliance on the material contained in this content. Pitcher Partners is an association of independent firms. Pitcher Partners is a member of the global network of Baker Tilly International Limited, the members of which are separate and independent legal entities. Liability limited by a scheme approved under professional standards legislation.

Our experts

Ben Brazier

Ben Brazier

Managing Principal

Adelaide


View profile
Nigel Fischer

Nigel Fischer

Chairman of Partners

Brisbane


View profile
Brendan Britten

Brendan Britten

Managing Partner

Melbourne


View profile
Michael Minter

Michael Minter

Managing Partner

Newcastle and Hunter


View profile
Leon Mok

Leon Mok

Managing Director

Perth


View profile

Pitcher Partners insights

Get the latest Pitcher Partners updates direct to your inbox

Thank you for you interest

How can we help you?

Business or personal advice
General information
Career information
Media enquiries
Contact expert
Become a member
Specialist query
Please provide as much detail to ensure appropriate allocation of your query
Please highlight a realistic time frame that will enable us to provide advice within a suitable and timely manner. Please note given conflicting demands with our senior personnel, we will endeavour to respond to you within the nominated time frame. If you require an urgent response, please contact us on 03 8610 5477.
CPN Enquiry
Business Radar 2024
Dealmakers 2024
Tax Facts 2024-25
Search by industry