Last week, the Australian Government announced that people would be able to access up to $10,000 of their superannuation to help with the financial impacts of COVID-19.
I know many people who are thinking of doing this because they have either lost their jobs or simply because they are afraid of what the future holds.
For many people, it does make sense but there are a few things you should consider before you decide whether it is right for you.
Am I eligible?
First and foremost, of course, is whether you are eligible. You must fall into one of the following categories:
- Currently unemployed, or
- Entitled to receive job seeker, youth allowance for jobseekers, parenting, special benefit, or farm household allowance payments from Centrelink, or
After 1 January 2020 you:
- Were made redundant, or
- Had your working hours reduced by at least 20%, or
- Had your sole-trader business suspended or saw a reduction in turnover of 20% or more.
Do you need it?
For basic living costs
If you need these funds immediately to cover the basic costs of living, rent, mortgage, food, etc., then it’s a fairly straightforward decision. Providing everyday necessities for yourself and your family is a priority, regardless of when you will be able to make up any losses.
For emergency funds
It’s recommended that you have access to the funds to cover around six months of your basic living costs. If you don’t have this emergency fund, you may want to consider making use of this offer to give yourself a buffer, as it’s hard to know what is around the corner as the situation unfolds.
For other financial goals
If you are in the fortunate position that you have financial security, you may want to consider using it to further your other financial goals. Whether this is a house deposit or investing in growth assets at a good time in the market, using this money to further your financial position can give you an advantage – if you can pay it back.
Can you pay it back?
If you have a cash component to your superannuation, taking it straight from this component won’t really make much of a difference.
However, bear in mind, by taking the cash out now, you may miss the opportunity of making investments into other assets, like shares, at a time of maximum opportunity.
For those without a cash component, you are taking it from your investments at the bottom of the market.
That $10,000 may have been $20,000 just a few short months ago and may well be worth that again sometime in the future.
Taking into account compounding interest and the number of years until you retire, that $10,000 could one day become $100,000 over time. It will have a significant impact on your retirement savings if you can’t pay it back quickly.
You should have a strong plan in place to pay it back as soon as possible, whether that is committing to start salary sacrificing $200 a fortnight until it is paid back or putting it back in as a lump sum, pre-tax.
When making your plan, it is critical that you are aware of any thresholds that may impact you. You may also be eligible to make use of other tax offsets and government support, such as co-contributions or spousal contributions, to boost your retirement savings.
Accessing your super
If you decide that accessing your super is the right move for you, you need to do so through your MyGov account, first ensuring that your superannuation fund has all the correct bank details and proof of identity documents. Also, bear in mind that the MyGov site has been facing a huge amount of traffic and so you may encounter delays. If you are deemed eligible, the ATO will issue a determination to you and your super fund, who will then pay the lump sum to the account on file.
Whether you can, or indeed should, make use of this arrangement depends heavily on your personal situation and goals. It is strongly recommended that you seek financial advice before making a move that could put your retirement at risk.
This Financy article was provided by financial planner, Emily Lanciana, Apt Wealth Partners.
General Advice warning
The information provided in this blog does not constitute financial product advice. The information is of a general nature only and does not take into account your individual objectives, financial situation or needs. It should not be used, relied upon, or treated as a substitute for specific professional advice. Apt Wealth Partners (AFSL and ACL 436121 ABN 49 159 583 847) and Apt Wealth Home Loans (powered by Smartline ACL 385325) recommends that you obtain professional advice before making any decision in relation to your particular requirements or circumstances.
