super...

A tax exemption on superannuation earnings supporting pensions and annuities will be capped at $100,000, and anything above that level taxed at a rate of 15 per cent, the Federal Government has announced.

Announcing long-awaited changes to superannuation in Canberra today, Treasurer Wayne Swan said the measures would only impact on those with super assets of more than $2 million, or about 16,000 individuals.

The Government has been under pressure to detail any changes to superannuation planned for the May budget, with ongoing speculation that it would increase taxes for high earners.

Mr Swan said there was a disproportionate level of Government support that flowed to a select few.

“There is something wrong in the system where working Australians on average wages are providing excessive support to people with millions in their superannuation account,” he said.

“Why should someone who has millions of dollars in a superannuation account pay no tax on their earnings while someone on $80,000 a year pays a marginal tax rate of 37 cents in the dollar on every additional dollar they earn.”

Mr Swan said the changes addressed that imbalance.

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has vowed to “fight ferociously” to block Labor's latest changes to superannuation.

“It is a raid on people,” Mr Abbott said.

Mr Abbott said the changes would play havoc with retirement plans.

“We will fight ferociously to stop this change from going ahead,” he said, adding it was a Government raid on people.

“Every time a government raids people's funds, there are shades of Cyprus about it.”

Under existing arrangements, all earnings on assets supporting income streams (superannuation pensions and annuities) are tax-free, in contrast to earnings in the accumulation phase of superannuation, which are taxed at 15 per cent.

The $100,000 threshold will be indexed to the Consumer Price Index, and will increase in $10,000 increments.

Assuming a conservative estimated rate of return of five per cent, earnings of $100,000 would be derived from individuals with around $2 million in superannuation.

These changes will not affect the tax treatment of withdrawals.

Withdrawals will continue to remain tax-free for those aged 60 and over, and face the existing tax rates for those aged under 60.

The changes will save the Government about $900 million over the forward estimates.

Combined with changes announced in last year's budget to increase the tax rate of 15 per cent to 30 per cent for those earning $300,000, the measures will save $10 billion over the next decade.

The Government will save $6 million applying the new concession cap to those on a defined benefit fund, such as federal politicians and judges.

The Government will simplify the design and administration of the proposed higher concessional contributions cap by providing an unindexed $35,000 concessional cap to anyone who meets certain age requirements.

It has decided not to limit the new higher cap to individuals with superannuation balances below $500,000 in light of feedback from the superannuation sector.

The system of excess contributions tax, introduced by the Howard government in 2007, will be changed.

Excess concessional contributions will be taxed at the individual's marginal tax rate, plus an interest charge to recognise that the tax on excess contributions is collected later than normal income tax.

About 59,000 people on the top marginal tax rate will have a slightly larger tax liability because of the interest charge.

Treasury estimates in 2013-14, the change will reduce the tax liability of about 41,000 people by an average $1300.

Superannuation Minister Bill Shorten said the Government was acutely aware that many people approaching retirement were keen to boost retirement savings beyond the mandatory contribution.

For people aged over 60, concessional caps will be increased from $25,000 to $35,000 from July 1.

That concession would be extended to those aged 50 and over from July 1, 2014.

There will be further changes to the handling of lost super accounts.

Last year, the Federal Government announced lost super accounts up to the value of $2000 would be transferred to the Australian Taxation Office, to protect them from being eroded by fees.

The balances would also earn interest equivalent to the consumer price index once they are reclaimed.

The balance threshold will be increased to $2500 from December 31, 2015 and $3000 at the end of 2016.

“This means that rather than shrinking, people who are temporarily disconnected from their super, will have it grow by the time that it's found,” Mr Shorten told reporters.

A 20-year-old with $3000 in an inactive superannuation account will be able to claim about $3400 from the ATO after five years.

Mr Swan said the change in the tax exemption cap on earnings would help restore a number of the original intentions of the superannuation system to keep it fair and sustainable.