Businesses must prepare for the Superannuation Guarantee Rate increase

What business owners need to know about the superannuation guarantee rate increase.

The Superannuation Guarantee rate will rise to 11% from 1 July 2023.  This article aims to provide business owners with valuable information about the rate increase and the steps they should take to comply.

Importance of the Superannuation Guarantee

As you already know, the Superannuation Guarantee is a mandatory contribution that employers make to their employees' superannuation funds. It plays a crucial role in securing their retirement savings.  By increasing the Superannuation Guarantee rate, the government aims to ensure Australians have sufficient funds for a comfortable retirement.  As a small business owner, it's your responsibility to meet this obligation and support your employees' long-term financial goals.

About the Rate Increase

Currently,the Superannuation Guarantee rate stands at 10.5% of an employee's ordinary time earnings.  From 1 July 2023, this rate will increase to 11%.  Also, note that the Superannuation Guarantee rate is scheduled to progressively increase to 12% by July 2025. The purpose of this phased approach is to give businesses time to adjust and manage the financial impact.

What Small Business Owners Need to Do

1. Calculating the Additional Superannuation Contributions

You'll need to calculate the additional super contributions for your employees.  This involves reviewing your payroll systems or seeking assistance from your accountant or payroll provider.  Getting the calculations accurate is crucial to avoid under paying or overpaying superannuation contributions.

2. Ensuring Accurate Deductions

To accommodate the new Superannuation Guarantee rate, you may need to adjust the employee wages to ensure super contributions are deducted accurately based on the increased rate.  Your payroll systems or software will need to be updated and verified for the changes made to ensure they are implemented correctly and that super contributions are deducted accurately based on the increased rate.

3. Communication with Employees

Inform your employees so they are aware of the Superannuation Guarantee rate increase.  Provide clear and concise information about the change, how it affects their take-home pay, super contributions, and the potential benefits for their retirement savings.

4. Managing the impact on your cash-flow

As a small business owner, it's crucial to plan and budget for the financial impact of the increased Superannuation Guarantee rate, especially if your business is operating on tight margins or facing financial challenges.  Consider reviewing your cash flow and make necessary adjustments to ensure you have sufficient funds to meet increased superannuation obligations.

Application of the Increased Superannuation Guarantee Rate

The applicable superannuation guarantee rate is the rate in force on the day of payment.  For example, if you pay wages on 1 July 2023 or later the super will be calculated at the rate of 11%, not withstanding that the work may have been performed in the period prior to 1 July 2023.