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Picture Book · Super contributions

Unused cap, carried forward

Story pages

A man in his early forties pushing a toddler on a swing in a suburban park
Meet Sam. He's 41 and took two years off work to care for his kids.
A half-empty pantry shelf with just a few jars
In those years, very little went into his super, so much of his concessional cap went unused.
Five wooden crates stacked in a shed
If his total super balance was under $500,000 at the previous 30 June, he can use unused cap amounts from up to five earlier years.
Autumn leaves falling from a tree onto a garden path
Unused amounts expire if they're not used within five years.
A man in his early forties walking into an office building with a backpack
Now back at work, Sam can make a larger before-tax contribution in a good year.
A man in his early forties sitting on a back step with a laptop
He checks his unused amounts on myGov before he decides.

The end

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General advice warning. This picture book is general information only. It does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs, and it is not personal advice. Rules and thresholds change. Before acting, consider whether it is right for you, read any relevant Product Disclosure Statement and our Financial Services Guide, and seek personal advice. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.

Information as at 27 October 2026. Sources:

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