Superannuation Strategies for Doctors and Spouses
- Yves Schoof
- Mar 1
- 2 min read
After years of working with medical families, I can tell you this: equalising super balances between spouses is one of the most effective and most overlooked strategies for doctors.
The income gap is often large, and if you don’t plan early, you can end up with one spouse capped out and the other with unused capacity you can’t get back.
Why balance equalisation matters now
Make the most of two retirement caps: Each spouse has their own transfer balance cap (currently $1.9m). If one spouse is far above and the other far below, you risk wasting the second cap – meaning more retirement income taxed at your marginal rate outside super.
Manage thresholds and flexibility: Your total super balance (TSB) at 30 June drives what you can contribute next year. A lower-balance spouse can often use strategies the higher-balance spouse can’t (e.g., bring-forward non-concessional contributions, catch-up concessional contributions if TSB is under $500k).
Estate planning and tax on death: Re‑contribution and balance-shifting can increase tax‑free components and reduce potential death benefits tax for adult children.
New taxes on very large balances: From 1 July 2025, additional tax applies to earnings on balances above $3m. Spreading wealth across two members can soften future tax drag and improve options. Bottom line An SMSF can be highly effective for owning your practice rooms, but it’s rarely the best path for share investing alone. Be clear on your goals, weigh the trade-offs and explore simpler options first.
If you’re exploring practice property or weighing up an SMSF, I’m happy to talk it through and coordinate with your accountant. Reach out with any questions about super or SMSFs.
This is general information only get personal advice before acting.
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