Partner Linking makes saving sweeter

11 February 2025

Brighter Super has introduced Partner Linking – a new feature that helps two eligible members save with a combined administration fee cap. Whether you are spouses or partners, you can enjoy lower fees together.

In this article, we’ll explore how Partner Linking works, our Friends and Family referral offer, and ways to help your partner grow their super.

Combine your administration fee cap with Partner Linking

Introducing the Partner Linking feature means that two members can take advantage of a combined administration fee cap of $650 per financial year.

Partner Linking can reduce administration fees for two members with a combined balance of over $464,286 in Pension accounts or over $546,219 in Accumulation or Transition to Retirement Pension accounts.

The threshold for Accumulation and Transition to Retirement Pension members is higher as there is already a tax rebate of 15% on administration fees, resulting in a lower overall net administration fee.

The initiative, offered by only a few super funds, builds on the latest round of fee reductions at Brighter Super, which took effect on 1 January 2025:

• The administration fee was lowered from 0.18% to 0.14% of a member’s account balance.
• The administration fee cap was lowered from $900 to $650 per year.

This year’s fee reductions were the third consecutive reduction delivered in administration fees since the mergers of LGIAsuper, Energy Super and Suncorp Super over the last three years.

Partner Linking does not include portions of accounts invested in the MySuper option, because it has a set structure legislated for all super funds. If you are invested in the MySuper option, and want some or all of your balance to be eligible for Partner Linking, you can choose from Brighter Super’s range of investment options. We offer a range of advice services that can help you make those decisions.

How to apply for Partner Linking

To link your account to the account of your spouse or partner, you can submit our Partner Linking Form (M24), which is available at brightersuper.com.au/forms listed under ‘superannuation’ and ‘retirement’.

Invite your loved one to Brighter Super

If you’re interested in Partner Linking, but the person you’d like to link to isn’t yet a Brighter Super member, you could consider our referral offer and invite them to join us.

Brighter Super members can receive money vouchers for referring an eligible person to open a Brighter Super account, terms and conditions apply¹. Spread the word and share the benefits of Brighter Super with those closest to you.

Find out more at brightersuper.com.au/refer

Other ways to help your partner grow their super

If you are married or in a de-facto relationship and your partner has taken time off work, you can help them get their super back on track by contributing to their account. And you might even receive tax benefits for doing so.

There are two ways that you can pay into your partner’s superannuation:

1. Spouse contributions

You can pay amounts directly into your partner’s superannuation from after-tax income. Spouse contributions are made from after-tax income.

There is no tax on spouse contributions, as long as they do not exceed your partner’s non-concessional contributions cap (which is $120,000 for 2024/25). If your partner earns between $37,000 and $40,000 each year, you could also receive a tax offset of up to $540 (as at 2024/25).

To learn more, refer to our Super for your partner info sheet.

To make a contribution, log in to your account and click on ‘Make additional contributions’ in the navigation toolbar.

2. Contribution splitting

Some of your concessional (before-tax) contributions from the previous financial year can be redirected to your partner’s account. This is known as contributions splitting, and can include Employer contributions, salary sacrificed contributions and personal contributions claimed as a tax deduction.

You can split up to 85% of your concessional contributions from the previous financial year¹. The minimum split amount is $500. Split contributions do not count towards the recipient partner’s concessional contributions cap.

Before paying into your partner’s super, you should consider both of your financial circumstances and the tax implications it could have for either of you. To learn more, refer to our Super for your partner info sheet.

To get started, complete a Contributions split form (B02), specifying the amount you want to redirect to your partner’s account.

We’re here to help

If you are considering contributing to your partner’s superannuation, speaking to a financial adviser can help you decide what is best for your situation.

If you already have a financial adviser, they can help you make informed decisions about your super. Make sure your adviser is listed on your account so that they can view your account, access correspondence, and view investment information about your account.

If you do not have a financial adviser, Brighter Super’s in-house team of financial advisers are here to help you. Find out more about our financial advice services or call us on 1800 444 396.