Retirement · Action Plan
Retirement Action Plan (Australia 2025-26)
Pick your stage (accumulation, TTR, or drawdown), enter your numbers, and we'll rank the retirement decisions that apply to you — ordered by dollar impact and deadline urgency. Each lever links to the dedicated calculator behind it.
3 lifecycle stages15 leversDrift-audit enforced
Age Pension toolkit
Continue with the test that answers your next question
Full Age Pension Calculator Combine normal income and assets tests with basic qualification checks. Assets Test Calculator See the full-rate threshold, $3 taper and part-pension cut-off. Income Test & Work Bonus Trace deeming and work income through one fortnight’s personal bank ledger. Pension + Work Income Tax Combine taxable pension and work income with SAPTO and Medicare. Rates & Thresholds Reference every current payment, means-test, deeming and Work Bonus figure. Deeming Calculator Calculate the income Centrelink assumes financial assets produce. Seniors Health Card Screen the income-tested alternative when Age Pension is unavailable.
FAQ
How much can I contribute to super before EOFY?
For 2025-26, the concessional cap is $30,000 (this includes employer SG). The non-concessional cap is $120,000 — or you can trigger a bring-forward up to $360,000 over 3 years if your total super balance allows. The Action Plan above evaluates your remaining headroom and dollar impact at your marginal rate. Use the super calculator to model scenarios.
What is the transfer balance cap and why does it matter?
The Transfer Balance Cap (TBC) is the lifetime cap on amounts you can move into retirement-phase pensions. For 2025-26 it is $2,000,000 (indexed in $100k steps). Excess amounts attract the excess transfer balance tax (15% in year 1, 30% from year 2). The Action Plan flags warnings if your pension balance approaches the cap.
Who qualifies for the downsizer contribution?
From age 55, after selling your main home held for at least 10 years, each individual can contribute up to $300,000 to super (couples: $600k combined). Lodge ATO form NAT 75073 within 90 days of settlement. The downsizer contribution does not count towards your NCC cap and is unaffected by your total super balance.
What is a recontribution strategy?
A recontribution strategy converts the taxable component of super into the tax-free component by withdrawing a lump sum (after preservation age) and recontributing as a non-concessional contribution. For non-dependant beneficiaries (e.g. adult children), this saves 15% (plus 2% Medicare) death-benefit tax on the taxable component.
How does the age pension means-test work?
Centrelink applies an income test and an assets test, and the higher reduction applies. Income test: above the free area, your pension is reduced by 50c per $1. Assets test: above the free area, $3 reduction per fortnight per $1,000 of excess assets. The Action Plan estimates your annual age pension entitlement based on your inputs. Use the age pension calculator for a detailed breakdown.
Should I start a TTR pension?
A TTR pension can be useful from age 60 (preservation age) when you are still working: it lets you draw 4-10% of your super balance per year, often with no earnings tax inside the pension if you have also met a condition of release. Pair it with salary-sacrifice to capture (marginal minus 15%) tax savings. Use the TTR calculator to model your scenario.
Related guides
Commonwealth Seniors Health Card: Eligibility, Income Test and Deeming (2026) Commonwealth Seniors Health Card eligibility, the adjusted taxable income test with deemed income, and how it differs from the Pensioner Concession Card. FHSS Release Tax and Timing Explained (Australia 2025-26) Verified guide to how FHSS release tax works, when the assessable amount goes into your return, and the timing rules around signing a property contract. CGT Reform for Retirees: Pensioner Minimum-Tax Exemption + 30% Minimum Tax from 1 July 2027 The CGT reform is now law and it hits retirees on low marginal rates hardest because of the 30% minimum tax. Age Pension and other income-support recipients are exempt from the minimum tax — but they still lose the 50% discount. Here's what retirees need to know about timing asset sales, downsizing, and the interaction with the age pension means tests.
Tax Accuracy & Sources
This calculator is an estimate tool and may not cover all personal circumstances. For state-based taxes, confirm details with your state or territory revenue office.