Retirement doesn’t always go to plan. Whether it’s a divorce, unexpected financial commitments or simply wanting to strengthen your retirement savings, many Australians are looking for ways to maximise their superannuation later in life. But what happens when you reach age 75, and are there other strategies worth considering?
For Australians approaching or already enjoying retirement, superannuation remains one of the most tax-effective investment structures available. However, contribution rules become increasingly restrictive as you get older, making it important to understand your options before making significant financial decisions.
At Cadre Capital Partners, we believe effective retirement planning involves more than simply maximising superannuation. It requires a coordinated approach to investment management, tax efficiency, debt reduction and sustainable retirement income.
Understanding Superannuation Contributions After Age 75
One of the most important considerations for older Australians is understanding when and how they can continue contributing to superannuation.
Generally, individuals can make voluntary superannuation contributions until 28 days after the end of the month in which they turn 75.
Before reaching this age limit, there are two primary contribution strategies available.
Concessional Contributions (Before-Tax Contributions)
Concessional contributions are generally taxed at 15% within superannuation, potentially providing a tax advantage compared with an individual’s marginal income tax rate.
For the 2026–27 financial year, the standard annual concessional contribution cap is $30,000.
For individuals aged between 67 and 74, claiming a personal tax deduction generally requires satisfying the work test, which involves completing at least 40 hours of gainful employment over a consecutive 30-day period, or qualifying for an exemption.
Depending on eligibility, individuals with superannuation balances below $500,000 may also be able to utilise unused concessional contribution caps from the previous five financial years.
Non-Concessional Contributions (After-Tax Contributions)
Non-concessional contributions allow individuals to contribute money that has generally already been taxed.
For the 2026–27 financial year, the annual non-concessional contribution cap is $130,000.
Eligible individuals may also utilise the bring-forward provisions, allowing contributions of up to $390,000 over a three-year period.
Importantly, eligibility depends on factors including your total superannuation balance, age and previous use of the bring-forward provisions.
For individuals approaching age 75, carefully timing contributions can provide an opportunity to transfer additional personal wealth into the concessionally taxed superannuation environment.
Can You Continue Contributing Through a Company After 75?
For self-employed Australians and business owners, operating through a company may provide opportunities to continue receiving certain employer superannuation contributions beyond age 75.
However, establishing a company purely to make additional superannuation contributions requires careful consideration.
Once the standard age limit has passed, superannuation funds generally cannot accept voluntary personal contributions or voluntary employer contributions. They can, however, continue accepting compulsory employer contributions, such as those required under superannuation guarantee legislation.
Where an individual genuinely works as an employee of their own company, compulsory superannuation contributions may therefore remain possible after age 75.
The arrangement must reflect a legitimate employment relationship and comply with applicable taxation, superannuation and employment requirements.
There are also costs associated with establishing and maintaining a company, including accounting fees, regulatory obligations and ongoing administration.
For these reasons, the potential tax benefits should be assessed against the additional expenses and complexity involved.
The key consideration is whether a company structure makes commercial and financial sense independently of the desire to contribute to superannuation.
Downsizer Contributions: An Opportunity Beyond Age 75
One of the most valuable opportunities available to older Australians is the downsizer contribution.
Unlike standard voluntary superannuation contributions, downsizer contributions have no upper age limit.
Eligible Australians aged 55 and over can contribute up to $300,000 per person from the proceeds of selling their principal residence.
For couples, this may allow up to $600,000 to be contributed to superannuation, subject to eligibility and the available sale proceeds.
To qualify, the property must generally have been owned by the individual or their spouse for at least 10 years, along with satisfying other eligibility requirements.
Importantly, downsizer contributions do not count towards the standard non-concessional contribution cap.
This provides an opportunity for individuals who have accumulated substantial wealth in their family home to transfer some of that wealth into superannuation.
However, downsizer contributions may affect Age Pension entitlements and must be considered alongside an individual’s broader retirement strategy.
Should You Pay Off Your Mortgage or Contribute More to Super?
For Australians entering retirement with an outstanding mortgage, deciding whether to repay debt or invest additional money into superannuation can be particularly important.
Consider a hypothetical 70-year-old retiree with $170,000 in superannuation and an outstanding home loan of $200,000.
While contributing additional funds into superannuation may provide access to a tax-effective investment environment, the benefits must be weighed against the ongoing cost of servicing the mortgage.
For example, a mortgage with an interest rate of 6% represents an annual interest expense of approximately $12,000 on a $200,000 balance, assuming the balance remains unchanged.
Where mortgage interest is not tax-deductible, reducing the outstanding debt effectively provides a guaranteed saving equal to the interest rate avoided.
By comparison, investments held within superannuation may produce higher long-term returns, but they also introduce investment risk and potential volatility.
The appropriate decision will depend on several factors, including:
- Your outstanding mortgage balance and interest rate.
- Your expected retirement income and living expenses.
- Your existing superannuation balance and investment strategy.
- Your ability to access funds if unexpected expenses arise.
- Your eligibility for government retirement benefits.
- Your long-term retirement and estate planning objectives.
Rather than automatically prioritising superannuation contributions, retirees should consider which strategy provides the greatest overall financial security.
The Importance of Tax-Effective Retirement Income
While superannuation contributions attract significant attention, how your retirement savings are structured and invested can be equally important.
Generally, investment earnings within the accumulation phase of superannuation are taxed at a maximum rate of 15%.
Once eligible funds are transferred into a retirement-phase pension account, investment earnings supporting that pension are generally tax-free, subject to applicable rules and limits.
For individuals aged 60 and over, pension payments from a taxed superannuation fund are also generally tax-free.
This creates opportunities to structure retirement investments in a way that reduces unnecessary tax while providing regular income.
However, superannuation itself is not an investment. It is a structure through which investments are held.
The underlying investment portfolio should therefore be designed around each individual’s income requirements, investment timeframe and tolerance for risk.
At Cadre Capital Partners, our Investment Committee oversees investment strategies designed to balance capital preservation, sustainable income and long-term wealth creation.
Don’t Overlook Government Retirement Benefits
For retirees with limited superannuation savings, government support may also form an important component of their retirement income strategy.
Depending on income, assets and other eligibility requirements, individuals may qualify for a full or partial Age Pension.
Homeowners may also be eligible for the government’s Home Equity Access Scheme, which allows qualifying older Australians to access some of the equity in their home through government-backed loans.
This can provide additional retirement cash flow without requiring the immediate sale of the family home.
However, amounts borrowed accumulate interest and reduce the equity remaining in the property.
These strategies should be considered carefully, particularly where preserving assets for beneficiaries or maintaining flexibility later in retirement is a priority.
A Coordinated Approach to Retirement Planning
For many Australians, the greatest retirement planning opportunities come from considering their financial position as a whole rather than focusing on individual strategies.
A decision to contribute more to superannuation may influence mortgage repayments, investment liquidity, Age Pension eligibility and future estate planning outcomes.
Similarly, restructuring business income or selling property can create tax implications that need to be assessed before proceeding.
A well-considered retirement strategy should aim to achieve several objectives simultaneously:
- Maximise tax efficiency: Utilise available superannuation concessions and appropriate investment structures to minimise unnecessary tax.
- Manage retirement debt: Assess whether reducing mortgage liabilities may provide greater financial certainty than additional investment contributions.
- Generate sustainable income: Structure investments to provide reliable retirement cash flow while maintaining an appropriate balance between growth and defensive assets.
- Preserve financial flexibility: Maintain access to sufficient funds for unexpected expenses, lifestyle needs and changing circumstances.
- Protect long-term wealth: Consider estate planning, beneficiary nominations and the tax implications of transferring wealth to future generations.
How Cadre Capital Partners Can Help
At Cadre Capital Partners, we understand that retirement planning is rarely straightforward.
With over a decade of experience supporting Australian individuals and families, our approach combines personalised financial advice with investment expertise, tax-aware strategies and long-term wealth management.
Our in-house Investment Committee provides oversight of portfolio construction and investment decisions, while our financial advisers work closely with clients and their accountants to develop strategies tailored to their individual circumstances.
Whether you are approaching age 75, considering additional superannuation contributions, managing an outstanding mortgage or seeking to improve your retirement income, we can help you assess the available options.
Our objective is simple: to help you make informed financial decisions that preserve your wealth, improve your financial position and provide greater confidence throughout retirement.
To discuss your retirement strategy, contact the team at Cadre Capital Partners.
General Advice Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is general in nature and does not constitute personal financial advice. It does not take into account your individual objectives, financial situation or needs.