Investors can avoid taxes on a lump sum pension payout by rolling over the proceeds into an individual retirement account (IRA) or other eligible retirement accounts.
A monthly pension payment gives you a fixed amount every month over your whole life, so you don't have to worry about changes in the stock market. In contrast, a lump-sum payout can give you the flexibility of choosing where to invest or save your money, and when and how much to withdraw.
From 6 April 2023, the amount of tax-free lump sum you can take is 25% of your pension pot, up to a maximum of 25% of the standard lifetime allowance.
Can I Get the Pension if I Have Super? Having superannuation savings does not deny you from receiving Age Pension payments. Eligibility for the Age Pension is based on an Assets Test and an Income Test.
A pensioner can earn up to $33,000 before paying tax in Australia, if single, or $30,500 if a member of a couple. This is calculated using the tax-free threshold of $18,200, plus being eligible for the Low Income Tax Offset and the Seniors and Pensioners Tax Offset (SAPTO).
The Age Pension forms part of your taxable income. However, if it is your only source of retirement income, you will pay no tax.
If your personal marginal tax rate is higher than 15% due to your investment or working income, you may want to leave your super in the accumulation phase. For example, say your income from work or non-super investments is sufficient to fund your lifestyle but you start a super pension anyway.
The age the Government allows you to withdraw your super is different to the age you can apply for the Government Age Pension, which is 67 years. You can withdraw your super if you're. 65 years or over, whether you keep working or not. 60 or over and change employers or temporarily stop working.
Lump sum withdrawals
If you're under age 60 and withdraw a lump sum: You don't pay tax if you withdraw up to the 'low rate threshold', currently $230,000. If you withdraw an amount above the low rate threshold, you pay 17% tax (including the Medicare levy) or your marginal tax rate, whichever is lower.
Lump-sum payouts are calculated by determining the present value of your future monthly guaranteed pension income, using actuarial factors based on age, mortality tables published by the Society of Actuaries, and the Internal Revenue Service's minimum present value segment rates, which are updated monthly.
The ATO guidelines provide that the amount of tax to be withheld from an bonus is capped at a maximum of 49% at the time of payment. So you will need to compare the total PAYG calculated on the bonus using marginal rates with a flat tax rate of 49%.
The biggest risk is that your pension is no longer guaranteed to last for life because investment volatility could impact growth. You're only partially protected from creditors. The lump sum amount you receive requires careful asset management to ensure you have enough to live on for the rest of your life.
The drawbacks of taking a lump sum
Pension value can decrease: If you choose to withdraw and hold the money in cash, for example in a savings account, the value can decrease in real terms. It can mean your spending power falls, in turn, affecting your retirement lifestyle.
Single-Life Annuities
This option generally provides you with the highest monthly benefit; however, payouts will cease when you die since funds are only paid out to one person (you). This is often an excellent option if you're single with no dependents.
WILL ACCESSING MY SUPER AFFECT MY CENTRELINK PAYMENT? If you withdraw money from your super fund, you must tell Centrelink within 14 days. Money withdrawn from super is not treated as income for a person receiving a social security payment.
Super is a great way to save money for your retirement. It is generally taxed at a lower rate than your regular income. You typically pay 15% tax on your super contributions, and your withdrawals are tax-free if you're 60 or older. The investment earnings on your super are also only taxed at 15%.
You may withdraw a lump sum from super at retirement of any amount up to your total balance. A lump sum payment can be useful if you need to repay debts, or you have some large expenses such as making home renovations or purchasing a vehicle.
Immediate annuities
This is a popular option for those looking to invest a lump sum pension payout because annuities can offer regular payments as a steady stream of income. And immediate annuities can also offer payments right away.
You do need to lodge a tax return if: Centrelink is withholding any tax from your aged pension payment. If Centrelink does withhold tax from your aged pension payment; this will be noted on your PAYG summary. If there is any amount of tax withheld listed on your PAYG summary, then you should lodge a tax return.
Tax returns for Age Pension recipients
If you receive the Age Pension (either full or part) and received income from other sources and Centrelink is withholding tax from your pension payments, it is compulsory to lodge a tax return each year.
This obviously depends on what annual income you want to fund but if you want to be able to afford a comfortable retirement—which is an income of just over $48,000 a year for a single according to the ASFA Retirement Standard—then you need a balance of at least $500,000.