Below is a practical, up‑to‑date guide to optimising superannuation (retirement) savings in Australia. I’ve included the key contribution caps and thresholds that drive tax and strategy choices, then step‑by‑step tactics you can consider and a short checklist of next actions. Where figures or rules can change I’ve cited official or recent sources.

Key numbers and rules (effective 1 July 2025 unless otherwise noted)

• Concessional (before‑tax) contributions cap: $30,000 per financial year. This is the cap for deductible employer contributions and salary‑sacrifice. You may be able to use unused concessional cap amounts (carry‑forward) if your total super balance was under $500,000 at 30 June of the previous year. (ato.gov.au)
• Non‑concessional (after‑tax) contributions cap: $120,000 per financial year. The 3‑year bring‑forward rule can allow up to $360,000 in one year for eligible people (subject to total super balance limits). If your total super balance is $2.0m or more at 30 June, your non‑concessional cap is nil. (nationwidesuper.com.au)
• Transfer balance cap (amount you can move into a tax‑free retirement income stream): $2,000,000. Exceeding this can trigger excess transfer balance tax and require adjustments. (SuperCentral.com.au)
• Super Guarantee (employer) rate: 12% from 1 July 2025. This affects how much your employer must contribute and the impact on salary‑sacrifice planning. (AustralianSuper.com)
• Additional tax on very large balances (policy change background): higher tax on earnings for super balances above $3m has been proposed/legislated in recent years — check current status if your balance approaches $3m+. (Policy specifics can change; get current confirmation.) (theguardian.com)

Core optimisation strategies

1. Use salary‑sacrifice to increase concessional contributions (up to cap)

   • Salary‑sacrifice contributions are taxed in‑fund at 15% (or 30% for very high incomes in some cases) rather than your marginal tax rate — often a big tax saving for middle‑to‑high income earners. Monitor total concessional contributions to avoid exceeding the $30k cap. (ato.gov.au)

2. Make personal deductible contributions (if self‑employed or to top up)

   • If you can claim a deduction for personal super contributions, they count toward the concessional cap and are taxed in‑fund at 15%.

3. Use catch‑up (carry‑forward) concessional caps when eligible

   • If your total super balance was under $500k at 30 June of the prior year and you have unused concessional cap space from up to 5 prior years, you can carry it forward. This is useful when you have a year of higher income and want to maximise pre‑tax contributions. (ato.gov.au)

4. Use the bring‑forward non‑concessional rule (carefully)

   • If eligible (under the balance threshold rules), you can make up to $360k in after‑tax contributions in a single year by bringing forward up to two future years’ caps. Don’t trigger the rule unintentionally — check your total super balance thresholds first. (nationwidesuper.com.au)

5. Consider a downsizer contribution if you’re eligible

   • If you meet the eligibility (age and property sale) rules you may be able to contribute up to a large amount from sale proceeds (historically up to $300k) that does not count towards the normal caps. This can be powerful for those who are property‑rich and super‑poor. Confirm age and eligibility before relying on it. (theaustralian.com.au)

6. Manage your total super balance and the transfer balance cap

   • If you plan to start a retirement income stream, calculate whether moving money into the retirement (pension) phase will use up transfer balance cap space and whether that matters for tax planning and estate planning. The transfer balance cap increased to $2.0m for 2025–26. (SuperCentral.com.au)

7. Tax‑efficient investment choices inside super

   • Super funds pay concessional tax on earnings (typically 15% or 0% in retirement phase). Compare investment options, fees, insurance costs, and the consistency of returns in your fund. Lower fees and appropriate asset allocation for your stage of life compound significantly over time.

8. Spouse contributions and splitting

   • You can make spouse contributions (and claim rebates or tax offsets in some cases) and you can split concessional contributions with a spouse to rebalance balances or access government offsets.

9. Transition‑to‑retirement (TTR) strategies — use with caution

   • TTR pensions allow access to income while staying in accumulation phase for some tax benefits. The rules changed in recent years; TTR can be useful for smoothing income around retirement but watch tax implications and interaction with other caps.

10. Estate and insurance reviews inside super

• Consider nominated beneficiaries, reversionary pensions, and the effect of insurance held inside super (premiums can erode returns). Tailor insurance to need, not convenience.

Practical checklist — what to do next

• Step 1: Check your current total super balance at 30 June last financial year (myGov/ATO) — this determines carry‑forward and non‑concessional eligibility. (ato.gov.au)
• Step 2: Decide target contribution mix (concessional vs non‑concessional) for the coming financial year and calculate whether salary‑sacrifice or deductible personal contributions make sense given your marginal tax rate. Use the ATO calculator or your super fund tools. (ato.gov.au)
• Step 3: If considering bring‑forward or downsizer, run detailed cashflow and means‑test modelling (downsizer can affect age pension means test). Seek tax/financial advice before applying large one‑off contributions. (theaustralian.com.au)
• Step 4: Review fund fees, insurance, and investment options — small fee differences matter over decades. Consider consolidating multiple accounts if that reduces fees and insurance duplication. (virginmoney.com.au)
• Step 5: If your balance approaches $2m or $3m, get specialist advice on transfer balance management and the potential extra tax on balances above $3m (policy status may change). (SuperCentral.com.au)

When to get professional advice

• If you plan large lump‑sum contributions (bring‑forward, downsizer, recontribution strategies), have a TSB near $2m or $3m, or your situation involves complex tax, estate or business issues — speak to a licensed financial adviser and/or tax professional. These moves can have unintended tax or means‑test consequences.

Sources and further reading

• ATO — Concessional contributions cap, carry‑forward rules and general caps. (ato.gov.au)
• Major super funds and industry technical notes summarising FY26 caps, SG rate and transfer balance cap changes. (AustralianSuper.com)
• Industry briefings on non‑concessional and bring‑forward thresholds for 2025–26. (Macquarie.com.au)

If you’d like, I can:

• Run numbers for your specific situation (age, current balance, income, how much you can salary‑sacrifice) and show the tax comparison (pre‑tax vs post‑tax) and final balances; or
• Draft a checklist/email you can give to your accountant/adviser with exact figures and goals.

Which would you prefer?