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Our team of financial experts help you navigate to and through retirement in this six-part series. See all stories.<\/a><\/p>\n As June 30 approaches, you might feel prepared for tax-time, but there are several extra steps you can take to boost your superannuation and future financial success.<\/p>\n Do what you can to maximise your super, using both concessional (before-tax, such as salary sacrifice), and non-concessional (after-tax, like voluntary payments) contributions. Be mindful of contribution caps \u2013 if you exceed them, you\u2019ll pay extra tax.<\/p>\n The annual concessional cap is currently $30,000, while the non-concessional is $120,000, according to the ATO<\/a>. There is some flexibility in the management of these caps \u2013 more on that below.<\/p>\n It\u2019s also important to be conscious of when you\u2019re sending contributions as it\u2019s essential for tax purposes that they reach your fund on time.<\/p>\n Related Article \u201cOne thing people often overlook is timing \u2013 contributions need to reach your super fund by June 30, not just be sent that day,\u201d warns Kate Rolfe, retirement experience lead at Aware Super. \u201cLeaving it too late can mean missing out on the tax benefit altogether.\u201d<\/p>\n Make up for past shortfalls<\/p>\n If you haven\u2019t hit the caps for before-tax contributions in the past, you\u2019ll have added capacity, explains Jason Chew, head of advice at Vista Financial Group.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s a thing called the carry-forward contribution or allowance,\u201d he says. \u201cThat allows you to use previous unused concessional contributions going back up to five years. Many people don\u2019t know about it.\u201d<\/p>\n There is a catch, however: \u201cYou have to do it before your super balance is $500,000 for that financial year.\u201d<\/p>\n Bring forward future payments<\/p>\n For non-concessional contributions, you can increase your capacity using the bring-forward rule. \u201cYou can use the bring-forward rule and that is three years of these non-concessional contributions, which is currently $360,000,\u201d says Chew.<\/p>\n Timing this around the June 30 cut-off date, with an amount contributed before the deadline, plus using the bring-forward in July, means you can add quite a chunk to your super.<\/p>\n \u201cIn just two months, you can actually put in four years\u2019 worth of contributions to super \u2013 the non-concessional contribution and the bring-forward rule can be used very close to each other,\u201d Chew says.<\/p>\n There are various limits as well as potential tax implications related to both of these options, so make sure you do your research or talk to a professional.<\/p>\n Be a super spouse<\/p>\n Did you know you can also contribute to your spouse\u2019s super, and vice versa? \u201cSpouse contributions are when one partner contributes to the other partner\u2019s super, usually when that partner earns a lower income,\u201d explains Rolfe.<\/p>\n \u201cThe contributing spouse may be eligible for a tax offset, and it can help balance super between partners \u2013 which can be beneficial later for tax, flexibility in retirement, and even age pension eligibility.\u201d<\/p>\n Related Article You can also split super contributions from the last financial year between your account and your partner\u2019s. Rules vary by provider, so check with your fund for specific options.<\/p>\n Do a super health-check<\/p>\n Using this time of year for a general sense check on your super can have broader benefits, adds Rolfe, who says examining insurance options inside your super, such as income protection, is worthwhile.<\/p>\n Chew agrees: \u201cMany people have insurance in their super that they don\u2019t know about. So just know what you\u2019re paying for.\u201d It\u2019s also a good time to check on your super\u2019s investment mix.<\/p>\n \u201cAll superannuation funds don\u2019t perform the same,\u201d says Chew. \u201cSome have different options and if you don\u2019t select one, they\u2019ll pick one for you, effectively.\u201d<\/p>\n Looking at the level of risk of these investments and switching funds – if that aligns with your financial goals – may be a way to positively impact your super.<\/p>\n \u201cThe end of the financial year isn\u2019t just about adding money,\u201d says Rolfe. \u201cThose checks don\u2019t always get attention, but they can have a big impact on long-term outcomes.\u201d<\/p>\n Advice given in this article is general in nature and is not intended to influence readers\u2019 decisions about investing or financial products. They should always seek their own professional advice that takes into account their own personal circumstances before making any financial decisions.<\/p>\n Expert tips on how to save, invest and make the most of your money delivered to your inbox every Sunday. Sign up for our Real Money newsletter<\/a>.<\/p>\n Save<\/p>\n You have reached your maximum number of saved items.<\/p>\n![\"Strategic](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/84641d83663a4d8c4e924735003f5d5f4a8a5c01151e61ae88711e7ffcca3c2f.jpeg\")
Strategic timing can help grow your retirement balance.iStockMaximise your contributions<\/p>\n![\"Data](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1777421900_611_174d288f0417331db837d4d4527b62aad079a80608a698808b563f122d7e7112.jpeg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Kate](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/a7fafbe1fc8cdd6e6dd0fd8be2599e58cd257cbc5f4c84eaef6d5a35a15e7bc9.jpeg\")
Kate Rolfe, retirement experience lead at Aware Super.<\/p>\n![\"Keeping](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/9eb3e972832d91e7ffed07785eabc951b8c253fed7f5c9d4c5b5a5673604fea4.jpeg\")
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