FinancialPartners (Tas)
FinancialPartners (Tas) - Start, tomorrow, today… Find out how we can help make your picture of tomorrow become reality.
Should I repay my home loan or boost my super?
Both options make good financial sense—we look at some pros and cons to help you decide.
Retirement may not be as far off as it used to be. With this in mind, are you finding there’s a trade-off between home loan repayments and your retirement nest egg?
Adding money to super has its advantages and so does paying off your home loan. So if you’ve got some extra cash, how do you choose between the two? Or maybe you can do both.
Let’s consider the pros and cons of each, along with factors like your age, personal goals and income to help decide what’s best for you.
Your age and retirement goals
If you put extra into super—depending on your age—you may have to wait a while before accessing it, which may not suit your goals. But on the upside, if you retire in 15 years you’ll benefit from compound interest and dollar-cost averaging, which are two powerful ways to build long-term wealth. Use AMP’s dollar-cost averaging calculator to see how regular contributions build up over time.
Repaying your home loan will reduce the overall amount owing, which means your interest will go down—and you’ll have a valuable asset that can provide comfort and security in retirement. Check out the home and retirement planner to see how your home fits in with your plans.
Your income and tax
When it comes to tax benefits, super may be the clear winner—generally you have to use after-tax dollars to repay a home loan.
In super you can contribute pre-tax dollars. That means more in your hand down the track, with minimal impact on your take-home pay:
Less tax is applied to the portion of income going into super (15% ) so you’re lowering your overall tax bill each year, and
You may reduce your taxable income (by making a super contribution, before tax is applied) and attract a lower tax rate. Learn more about the different types of super contributions.
Use AMP’s salary sacrifice calculator to find out how this would work for you.
Bear in mind that when you sell your home any profit is tax free. In super, your money is also tax free, but only after you turn 60 and providing you receive your super as an income.
Saving has its limits
Even though super is a tax-effective way to build wealth, you may not be able to add as much as you’d like—depending on the amount your employer contributes. Visit the ATO website to find out more about contributions limits.
When it comes to your home loan check with your lender—there may be restrictions or fees for additional repayments.
Flexibility and accessibility
If your home loan offers a redraw facility you may be able to withdraw extra repayments you’ve made.
On the other hand, super provides less flexibility as far as access goes—the money is generally inaccessible until retirement. However, there is flexibility in how your money is invested, as you can change your investment options at any point in time.
Earnings and economic markets
Your home and your super can be affected by economic changes—your super investment returns can fluctuate, a variable loan interest rate can change, as can your home’s value.
What’s right for you?
Explore the super versus mortgage calculator at the MoneySmart website and have a look at AMP’s education module to decide if property or super is better for you. There’s a lot to consider—and you may not need to choose one option over another.
Online source: Produced by AMP Life Limited and published on 19 November 2015. Original article.
Important information © AMP Life Limited. This provides general information and hasn’t taken your circumstances into account. It’s important to consider your particular circumstances before deciding what’s right for you. Although the information is from sources considered reliable, AMP does not guarantee that it is accurate or complete. You should not rely upon it and should seek qualified advice before making any investment decision. Except where liability under any statute cannot be excluded, AMP does not accept any liability (whether under contract, tort or otherwise) for any resulting loss or damage of the reader or any other person
Take the first step towards your financial future.
If you need help with personalised advice on financial planning, be it wealth strategies or protection for you or your family, or a need to discuss your present or future retirement options give us a call today on 03 6343 1007.
Alternatively send us a message or simply book an appointment now with one of our qualified financial planners on our online booking service at a mutually acceptable time.
Copyright © FinancialPartners Blog All Rights Reserved
Feel free to copy and share this but include the entire article and reference back to this site thanks.
FinancialPartners (Tas) Pty Ltd ABN 26 160 284 739 is an Authorised Representative and Credit Representative of AMP Financial Planning Pty Limited ABN 89 051 208 327 Australian Financial Services Licence 232706 and Australian Credit Licence 232706.
‘This blog post contains information that is general in nature. It does not not take into account the objectives, financial situation or needs of any particular person. Because of this, before acting on any advice, you need to consider your financial situation and needs before making any decisions based on this information.
You should consult a financial planner to consider how appropriate the advice is to your objectives, financial situation and needs.
If you decide to purchase or vary a financial product, your financial adviser, AMP Financial Planning and other companies within the AMP Group may receive fees and other benefits. The fees will be a dollar amount and/ or a percentage of either the premium you pay or the value of your investment. Please contact us if you want more information.’
Tags: Balance sheet, Boost, Goal, Home, If You Have to Ask, Interest, Interest-only loan, Investment, Loan, mortgage, Mortgage calculator, Mortgage loan, Pension, Progressive tax, Rate of return, Real estate, Repay, Retirement, Should, Should I repay my home loan or boost my super?, Stock and flow, super, Taxation, Taxation in the United States
Should I repay my home loan or boost my super?
FinancialPartners