Tax Advantaged Super Maximums Have Changed — Is Your Retirement Plan Still on Track?

If you’re in your 50s or early 60s, chances are you are starting to think more and more about how retirement will look. Some of the concepts you will probably be contemplating leaning into being:

Maximising super contributions in your last 10 years of work
Transitioning to retirement gradually
Drawing down on your super once you get it to a magical number

That plan may still be sound — but here’s the catch: superannuation rules don’t stand still.

Recent changes to contribution amounts and Total Super Balance (TSB) thresholds mean strategies that worked in the past may now need refinement. For many pre‑retirees, these changes can materially affect what’s still possible, what needs adjusting, and which opportunities could be missed.

Contribution Limits: Still Doing What You Thought They Would?

Contribution limits have increased due to indexation — good news, but only if your strategy keeps pace.

From 1 July 2026:

The concessional contributions cap increases from $30,000 to $32,500
The non‑concessional contributions cap increases from $120,000 to $130,000

For people approaching retirement, this often raises important questions:

Am I contributing the most I can — or relying on outdated limits?
Am I still eligible to use unused catch‑up concessional contributions?
Should my salary sacrifice or personal contribution strategy be adjusted?
Should I be balancing up contributions into my spouse’s super fund?

What we often see is people assuming they’ve “maxed out” super, when in reality, changes to the rules have reopened the door to additional planning opportunities.

Total Super Balance (TSB): The Quiet Rule That Changes Everything

From 1 July 2026, the Total Super Balance (total value of all your superannuation interests) threshold increases from $2.0 million to $2.1 million.

Your TSB plays a far bigger role than many people realise. It determines whether you can:

Make certain types of contributions
Use bring‑forward strategies
Access catch‑up concessional contributions
Implement specific retirement or estate planning strategies

As balances grow — sometimes faster than expected — people can unknowingly cross key thresholds. This can quietly close off opportunities they were relying on, or delay strategies that could otherwise be brought forward.

Just as importantly, indexation can also restore flexibility, particularly for those sitting close to previous limits.

Why Reviewing the Plan Matters

We work closely with clients to ensure their retirement strategy isn’t just well‑structured at the outset, but remains aligned as personal circumstances and superannuation rules evolve.

This isn’t about reacting to change — it’s about regularly reviewing the plan to make sure every lever still works as intended, and any new opportunities are identified early.

About the Author:

Robert Tawil – Private Client Adviser – Vantage Wealth Management

Robert holds a Bachelor of Economics (Economics, Quantitative Economics, Money and Banking, and Finance) from the University of Western Australia and a Diploma of Financial Planning. This allowed him to qualify as a Certified Financial Planner®. He commenced working in the financial services industry in 2015 and is a member of the Financial Advice Association Australia.

Robert values building strong relationships that are founded on trust and is passionate about helping people take control of their financial affairs and achieve their goals.