Prepared as a compliance companion for the simulator. As at: 23 August 2025 (Australia/Sydney). This document summarises current ATO guidance and industry-standard rules that the simulator references or enforces. Laws can change — always check the ATO links.
This companion sets out the Australian superannuation rules and ATO guidance that underpin the simulator’s design. It’s written for users who want confidence that the simulator aligns with the law and common fund practice.
| TSB @ 30 Jun prior | First‑year cap |
|---|---|
| TSB < $1.66m | $360,000 (3 years) |
| $1.66m – < $1.78m | $240,000 (2 years) |
| $1.78m – < $1.90m | $120,000 (current year only) |
| ≥ $1.90m | Nil (cap is $0) |
| TSB @ 30 Jun prior | First‑year cap |
|---|---|
| TSB < $1.76m | $360,000 (3 years) |
| $1.76m – < $1.88m | $240,000 (2 years) |
| $1.88m – < $2.00m | $120,000 (current year only) |
| ≥ $2.00m | Nil (cap is $0) |
| Age | Minimum |
|---|---|
| Under 65 | 4% |
| 65–74 | 5% |
| 75–79 | 6% |
| 80–84 | 7% |
| 85–89 | 9% |
| 90–94 | 11% |
| 95+ | 14% |
From v20 you may specify a constant base rate per member and/or a per‑year schedule via CSV (year:rate%) that overrides base/presets for listed years. For transparency, two read‑only Applied Return columns surface the rate used each year (with source) and are included in the CSV export.
This section explains how the simulator implements or guards each rule. Where complex edge‑cases exist, a callout is shown and the ATO link is provided for full detail.
| Rule / Topic | How the Simulator Handles It | Primary Source |
|---|---|---|
| Concessional cap = $30,000 from 1 July 2024 (all ages); $27,500 prior | Inputs for Employer SG and optional Salary Sacrifice are validated against the concessional cap per year. If total concessional contributions exceed the cap, the simulator flags this in-year and in the 3‑year summary. | ATO – Contributions caps |
| Non‑concessional cap = $120,000 from 1 July 2024; bring‑forward available subject to TSB tests | NCC schedules support current‑year and bring‑forward strategies. The tool checks the applicable bring‑forward tier for both 2024–25 and 2025–26 (post‑indexation) and warns if a planned NCC breaches the permitted amount. | ATO – NCC cap & bring‑forward tables |
| Carry‑forward concessional cap (5-year lookback) if prior 30 June TSB < $500,000 | Optional ‘use carry‑forward’ logic increases the effective concessional cap for the year based on available unused amounts; the tool surfaces a reminder that TSB must be < $500k at prior 30 June. | ATO – Carry‑forward |
| Downsizer contributions (55+, up to $300k per person, within 90 days of settlement; doesn’t count toward NCC cap) | Dedicated downsizer input (per member) models the contribution and its impact on TSB and TBC usage. The simulator highlights the 90‑day timing requirement and that a form must be lodged with the fund before/at contribution. | ATO – Downsizer |
| General Transfer Balance Cap (TBC) $1.9m to 30 Jun 2025; indexed to $2.0m from 1 Jul 2025 (personal proportional indexation applies) | At pension commencement the simulator verifies available TBC headroom and prevents starting amounts above the remaining cap. It also supports later commencements using proportional indexation rules in the background. | ATO – Transfer balance cap |
| Account‑based pension minimums (standard age‑based %) and pro‑rata in first year; ‘1 June rule’ (no minimum if started on/after 1 June) | The pension module calculates the annual minimum based on 1 July (or commencement) balance, applies pro‑rata for first‑year commencements and applies the 1 June rule; the dashboard reminders include the 30 June payment deadline. | ATO – Pension rules, ATO – Drawdown reminder |
| TRIS (Transition to Retirement) – minimums apply and 10% maximum until retirement phase; earnings taxed at 15% until retirement phase | If TRIS mode is selected, the tool enforces the 10% maximum and accrues earnings tax at 15% until a retirement‑phase condition is met (then earnings become exempt and TBC applies). | ATO – TRIS rules |
| Conditions of release: reach preservation age & retire; cease employment after 60; or turn 65; early access limited | Projected benefit access (lump sums/pensions) is constrained until a condition of release is met. The UI labels indicate when access becomes unrestricted based on DOB and events. | ATO – Accessing your super, ATO – Conditions of release |
| Preservation age table (DOB‑based) and age‑based minimums | DOB inputs map to preservation age; the simulator uses this to determine earliest access and TRIS eligibility timing. | ATO – Preservation & payment tables |
| Super Guarantee (SG) – 11.5% for 2024–25, 12% from 1 Jul 2025 | Employer SG uses the legislated rate by year. The cap check includes SG + salary sacrifice + personal deductible. | ATO – How much super to pay |
| Tax on earnings – accumulation taxed at up to 15% (incl. 10% CGT effective rate for >12‑month assets); retirement‑phase earnings exempt; TRIS earnings generally not exempt | The earnings engine applies 15% in accumulation and 0% in retirement phase (ECPI) for standard account‑based pensions; TRIS earnings remain taxed until retirement phase. | ATO – Fund income tax overview |
| Contribution acceptance & age limits (including 28‑day window after the month you turn 75) | Contribution schedulers show guardrails for acceptance after certain birthdays and warn where contributions fall outside acceptance windows. | ATO – Restrictions on voluntary contributions |
| Work test (from 1 Jul 2022): no work test to make NCCs/salary sacrifice to 74; work test still required to claim a tax deduction (age 67–74) | Where a personal contribution is toggled as ‘deductible’, the simulator displays a reminder that the work test/exemption may apply at tax‑time. | ATO – Personal super contributions |
This is general information only and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. It is not tax or financial advice. While care has been taken to ensure accuracy as at 23 August 2025 (Australia/Sydney), laws and ATO guidance may change. Always verify details using the linked ATO sources and seek professional advice before acting.