YourLifeChoices reader Allen has owned houses in Australia for 22 years. He wants to know if he is eligible for the government’s downsizer to superannuation contribution scheme.
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Q. Allen
We have not owned our current home for 10 years, but have continuously owned a succession of homes in Australia for over 22 years. Do we qualify for the downsizing to superannuation scheme?
A. The government is very keen to get older Australians out of their large homes to free up housing stock for families.
As such, the downsizing contribution into superannuation scheme allows older Australians to put the proceeds, or part proceeds of the sale of the home, into superannuation up to the value of $300,000 per person (or $600,000 for a couple).
The scheme began in 2018 and originally participants had to be aged 65 or older. But, to encourage more people to take part, the eligibility age has been lowered to 55.
There are several rules, but the one that applies to Allen is that the home must have been owned by you or your spouse for 10 years or more. So, unfortunately he will not be entitled to participate in the scheme.
Other eligibility criteria include the property must be a house, not a caravan, boat or mobile home, the contribution must be made within 90 days of the sale, you must fill out the downsizer contribution super form, you have not made a previous contribution under the scheme and the property must be in Australia.
A full list of eligibility conditions is available here.
Is the downsizer scheme tempting you? Or would you rather stay in your home? Why not share your opinion in the comments section below?
Also read: Will renting a room affect my pension?
Downsizer has a number of positive results – improved and suitable housing. equity release from sale of property, freeing up housing.
It is really suitable for self funded retirees who do not qualify for age pension ether for age or assets assessment.
The warning for retirees, either part/full pension recipients, is the monies placed in super becomes an assessable asset. In some circumstances, a couple placing $600,000 into super may go from receiving the full age pension, to losing all pension entitlements.
Well said, Twig. This should be publicized.
I will be staying in my house, have looked at Tiny Houses, practical as I retire. But where do you put one? Until the government provides affordable options, my house is mine, staying in it.