How adding to super in retirement could help your savings last longer

16 March 2026

Retirement doesn’t always mark the end of decisions about your super. In some situations, adding money to super after you stop working can still make sense. It may help with tax planning, managing income or making your savings last longer.

While super is often associated with working life, the rules allow many people to continue contributing well into retirement.

There are a range of reasons why you might consider contributing in retirement. You may receive a lump sum such as an inheritance, sell an asset such as an investment property, or decide to restructure your finances once you stop working. Or you might be thinking about estate planning and how best to pass wealth on to your beneficiaries.

Understanding what contributions are allowed, and how the rules apply, can help you decide whether contributing to super in retirement is right for you.

Why contribute after you retire?

Superannuation continues to offer tax advantages after retirement, which can make it a useful place to invest some of your savings. Depending on how your super is structured, investment earnings may be taxed at a lower rate than investments held outside super, or not taxed at all.

For some members, contributing to super is also part of estate planning. Super is treated differently from assets held in your personal name, and different tax rules can apply to benefits paid to beneficiaries. Getting advice can help you understand how super fits into your broader plans.

How you can contribute

If you are still working or return to work at some point, your employer can continue making superannuation guarantee contributions on your behalf. There is no upper age limit on employer contributions.

If you are under age 75, you may also be able to make additional before-tax contributions through salary sacrifice, if your employer offers this option. These contributions count towards the concessional contribution cap, which limits how much you can contribute before tax each financial year.

You can also make after-tax contributions, known as non-concessional contributions. Since 1 July 2022, most people no longer need to meet a work test to make these contributions. This means that if you are under age 75, you can generally contribute after-tax money to super even if you are fully retired and not working.

Where contributions need to go

You cannot add new contributions directly into a Pension account. All contributions must be made into an Accumulation account.

If you already have a Brighter Super Accumulation account, you can simply contribute to that account. If you don’t, you can open one easily through Member Online or by completing the relevant form in the Accumulation Product Disclosure Statement, available on our PDS and guides page.

How to make a contribution

Making a contribution is straightforward. You can log in to Member Online to find your BPAY details and make a payment from your bank account.

If you haven’t used Member Online before, registering for access is quick and simple.

Understanding contribution caps

There are limits on how much you can contribute to super, and these caps still apply in retirement.

For after-tax contributions, the standard non-concessional contribution cap is $120,000 per financial year. If you are aged under 75, and depending on your total super balance, you may be able to bring forward up to two future years of contributions and contribute up to $360,000 in one year¹.

Your total super balance may affect how much you can contribute, and exceeding the caps can result in additional tax. It’s important to check how the rules apply to you before making a large contribution.

More information is available in our contribution caps info sheet.

Downsizer contributions

If you are aged 55 or older and sell your main residence, you may be able to make a downsizer contribution of up to $300,000 into your super. If you have a partner who also meets the age requirement, they may also be able to contribute up to $300,000, even if the home was owned by only one of you.

Downsizer contributions do not count towards the contribution caps, and no tax is paid when the money enters super. However, there are specific eligibility rules, including how long you owned the property and the timeframe from the sale of the property to making the contribution.

Your downsizer contribution will count towards your total super balance. It will also count towards your transfer balance cap, which is currently set at $2 million (2025/26). This cap applies when you move your super savings into retirement phase.

Because downsizer contributions can affect Age Pension entitlements and other government benefits, it’s a good idea to seek advice before proceeding.

Full details are available on the Australian Tax Office website.

What happens after you contribute?

Once your contribution is in an Accumulation account, you can choose whether to leave it there or move it into a Pension account.

Money held in an Accumulation account remains invested, with earnings taxed at up to 15 per cent. If you have met a condition of release, you can withdraw money from this account at any time.

If you transfer the money into a Pension account, investment earnings are generally tax free. Pension accounts also require you to withdraw a minimum amount each year, based on your age and account balance – for further information, read about minimum drawdown requirements.

You cannot add new contributions directly to an existing Pension account. If you want your newly contributed money to be in the pension phase, you generally have two options.

You can close your existing Pension account, roll the balance back into an Accumulation account and then open a new Pension account with the combined funds. Alternatively, you can keep your existing Pension account and open a second Pension account using the money held in your Accumulation account.

Which option is right for you will depend on your circumstances, including your income needs, transfer balance cap, investment preferences and any Centrelink considerations. Having more than one account means paying more in fees over time, as each account is charged administration fees.

It is important to remember that if transferring contributions to a pension account, these contributions will count towards your transfer balance cap.

Find out more about transfer balance caps on the Australian Taxation Office website.

Getting the right advice

Contributing to super in retirement can affect your tax position, Age Pension entitlements and other government benefits. For this reason, it’s important to consider the broader impact before making decisions.

A financial adviser can help you understand whether contributing to super is suitable for your circumstances, how much you may be able to contribute and whether your money is best held in an Accumulation account or a Pension account.

Brighter Super’s team of financial advisers and super specialists can help you understand your options and make informed decisions about your super in retirement.

Find out more about Brighter Super’s advice services and how to book an appointment.