From 1 July 2013 the super guarantee increases to 9.25% and the upper age limit has been removed. This means employers may need to make super guarantee payments for eligible employees aged 70 years and over. If you are an employer, you will need to ensure that your payroll and accounting system applies the appropriate increase in the super guarantee rate. Currently the super guarantee rate will increase every year until it reaches 12% in 2019, however the Coalition has announced that if they win the federal election, they will defer any further increases for two years.

If you are an employee salary sacrificing to make additional superannuation contributions, ensure you take into account the increased super guarantee rate; don’t exceed the $25,000 contributions cap. For more information about these changes talk to your Chartered Accountant.