IPA welcomes announcement to scrap $500k cap

IPA chief executive officer Andrew Conway said the government has realised that moving the goal posts has warranted a policy rethink.

“However, we are disappointed that the drop in the non-concessional cap has been traded off for other simplification measures that were proposed such as the abolishment of the contributions work test for those aged 65 to 75,” said Mr Conway.

“Removing the complexities associated with applying the work test for individuals aged 65 to 75 would have simplified and improved the flexibility of the superannuation system.”

Other proposed superannuation reform measures which may have survived the trade-off include the abolishment of the income test or 10 per cent rule, the increase in the income threshold for the purpose of the low income spouse tax offset and the introduction of the low superannuation tax offset.

“The introduction of LISTO is in fact a name change from the Low Income Super Contribution (LISC). We support this measure on equity and fairness grounds,” said Mr Conway.

Mr Conway said enshrining the objective of superannuation in legislation is also an important step forward but has concerns with the draft in its current state.

“The primary objective ‘to provide income in retirement to substitute or supplement the age pension’ places the focus of superannuation entirely on the age pension’,” said Mr Conway.

“The objective of superannuation also needs to focus on the two other pillars of our retirement system namely superannuation and other voluntary savings,” he said.