Voluntary (after-tax) super contributions

Yes, there are a few different ways you can add extra money to your super.

The information above explains how to add money to your super or your spouse's super from your bank account after paying income tax, but you can also salary sacrifice from your before-tax pay.

And if you're on a lower income, you can earn a bonus to your super. Find out more.

Yes, you can, and you can actually contribute to your super even later than that.

Up to age 75, you can contribute after-tax or before-tax money to your super. 

When you turn 75, the government doesn't let you keep contributing money to your super, apart from employer contributions and any downsizer contribution you make.

No, the government doesn't let you contribute to your super after age 75, apart from employer contributions and any downsizer contribution you make.

If you're concerned about having enough income in your 70s, it's worth considering the Lifetime Pension. Using this unique product, you can turn some or all of your super into an income for the rest of your life, and the life of your spouse (if you've chosen the spouse protection option), no matter how long you live.

If you want to claim a tax deduction for contributions to your super (or your spouse's super), here's what you need to know.

If you earn less than $58,445 in the 2023-24 financial year and want to receive a government co-contribution to your super, all you need to do is:

1. Make a voluntary contribution to your super
2. Lodge your tax return for the financial year.

Then the ATO will automatically assess your eligibility and pay the appropriate super co-contribution to your super. We’ll let you know once it’s arrived – the ATO usually makes these payments in late December.

If you've already permanently retired, whether or not you can add to your super depends on your age.

You can add to your super up to the limits until you turn 75.

If you're not yet retired, you can turn some of your super into a pension with a Transition to Retirement (TTR) Income account. This means you can keep adding to your balance while receiving income payments from your super.

Find out more about QSuper retirement products, or request a call back from us to talk through your options for retiring with us.

Yes, you can put a lump sum into your super for a wide variety of reasons, including:

• You find it more convenient to make one larger contribution than multiple smaller ones
• You received an inheritance
• You want to make a contribution to your spouse or partner's super while they're earning less or on parental leave
• You received money from a super split following separation/divorce
• You want to make a downsizer contribution
• You're saving for your first home deposit
• You want to re-contribute amounts you withdrew because of financial impacts of the coronavirus pandemic (see the ATO website).

It depends on your circumstances. Normally, you can't withdraw your voluntary contributions – or any of your super – until you turn 65 or once you have reached your access age and retire. At that point, we have some great retirement product options to help you make the most of your super.

If you haven't retired yet, you can only take out your voluntary contributions if you meet the early access conditions.

You don't need to meet the work test in order to add to your super. However, if you want to claim a tax deduction on personal super contributions, you will need to meet the work test. This means if you are aged 67-74, you need to work at least 40 hours over 30 days in a row.