Spouse accounts
Growing super for two: options for you and your spouse
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Super isn’t just an individual journey – you and your partner can work together to grow your retirement savings. Whether it’s splitting your contributions, making a spouse contribution, or opening a spouse account, there are ways to support each other and make the most of super as a couple.
Before we get into the details, here’s a quick guide to what each option means:
Contribution splitting
This is when one partner redirects concessional contributions (like employer or salary sacrifice contributions) to their spouse’s super account.
Spouse contributions
These are personal (after-tax) payments made directly into a spouse’s super – potentially with
a tax offset for the contributing partner.
Opening a spouse accountTriple S members can open a spouse account, allowing their spouse (or putative spouse) to receive spouse contributions, splits, co-contributions, rollovers, and even make their own personal contributions.
Let’s take a closer look at how these options work – and how they could benefit both of you.
Who counts as a spouse or putative spouse?
At Super SA, your spouse is the person you’re legally married to.
If you’re not married, your partner may be recognised as your putative spouse if:
– You are cohabiting as defacto spouses, and:
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- You’ve lived together continuously for the previous three years, or for a total of not less than three out of the four preceding years, or
- You’ve had a child together.
You may also be recognised as putative spouses if your relationship is registered with Births, Deaths and Marriages under the Relationships Register Act 2016.
How does contributions splitting work?
Contribution splitting lets you ‘split’ or transfer some of your super to your spouse’s (or putative spouse’s) super account. It’s a simple way to help grow their balance – especially if they’re earning less or taking time off work.
There are rules around how much you can split and who’s eligible. Choose the option below that describes your situation.
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I’m an active Triple S member and so is my spouse
You can split contributions to each other’s accounts, provided the person receiving the split is:
- under 60, or
- aged between 60 and 65 and not yet retired.
You can’t split contributions to your spouse if they’re over 65.
It’s possible to split employer contributions and salary sacrifice contributions with your spouse, up to the concessional contributions cap1 ($30,000 for the 2025-26 financial year). The amount transferred won’t count towards your own untaxed plan cap ($1.865m in 2025/26) but will count towards your spouse’s.
Splitting can be done once a year, in the financial year after the contributions were made. There’s no fee to do this. (If you are closing your account you’re allowed to split contributions for the current financial year).
To split your contributions, complete the Super SA form: Application to Split Eligible Contributions.
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I’m an active Triple S member but my spouse isn’t
While you can’t split Triple S contributions to an external fund, you still have options:
- Your partner can split their contributions into your Triple S account (if their fund allows it – they’ll need to check).
- You can open a spouse account within Triple S and split your own contributions into it on their behalf.
How do spouse contributions work?
A spouse contribution is when you pay into your partner’s super using your after-tax income. If your partner is a low-income earner, you might be able to claim a tax offset of up to $540 a year.
Who’s eligible for the tax offset?
To claim a spouse contributions tax offset:
- You must tell the super fund the payment is a spouse contribution.
- Your spouse must earn less than $40,000 annually.
- Your spouse must be under age 75.
- You both need to be Australian residents when the contribution is made.
The amount you can claim depends on how much your partner earns annually and the size of your contribution.
- If your partner earns $37,000 or less a year and you make a spouse contribution of up to $3,000, you could qualify for the maximum tax offset of up to $540.
- If your partner earns between $37,000 and $40,000, you could be eligible for a partial tax offset.
- If your partner earns more than $40,000, you might not be eligible for the tax offset but you can still make contributions to their super.
Even small contributions can make a big difference over time – and could benefit both of you in retirement.
How to make a spouse contribution
If you’re contributing into an existing spouse account with Super SA, you will need your spouse’s BPAY code and reference number (your spouse can get this for you by logging into the member portal).
If your spouse has an account with a different super fund, ask them for their BPAY details.
Spouse account
If you're an active Triple S member, you can open a spouse account for your partner. This is especially useful if your spouse doesn’t have a Triple S account – it allows you to split contributions directly into a new account set up for them.
This can be a great way to grow your combined super, especially if your partner is not working or earning a low income. Plus, you might be eligible for a tax offset (see the section above) if you're making spouse contributions.
What does a spouse account include?
A Triple S spouse account can be made up of three components:
Spouse contribution account
To receive personal after-tax contributions made by the spouse member and eligible contributions made by the Triple S member. You could also be eligible for a tax offset.
Rollover account
To receive all eligible rollovers from complying super funds and all payments received through contribution splitting.
Co-contribution account
To receive any commonwealth government co-contributions.
Opening a spouse account and making a contribution
There are two ways to start growing your partner’s super through a Triple S spouse account. The account can be set up with a minimum contribution of $50 via:
- a spouse contribution made by you (the Triple S member), or
- a contribution split from your Triple S account into your spouse’s account.
Ready to make a spouse contribution?
You will need to open the spouse account first. Simply complete this form with your partner: Application to establish a spouse account. (You don’t need to do this if you’re making a contribution split – see the section below). Once the account is created, we’ll provide BPAY details so you can make your first personal contribution.
Ready to make a contribution split?
You and your spouse will need to complete the Super SA form: Application to Split Eligible Contributions. This will enable us to open a spouse account for your partner and process the contribution split.
The maximum amount you can split into your spouse’s account each year is equal to the concessional contributions cap – currently $30,0001 (for the 2025–26 financial year).
Other account options for spouse members
The spouse (or putative spouse) of a member of any Super SA scheme can apply to open an Income Stream account and Flexible Rollover Product account.
Contact us for more details.
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2There are annual caps on how much you can put away in super before paying extra tax on contributions. Spouse contributions will count towards the receiving spouse’s non-concessional contributions cap, $120,000 per year for the 2025-26 financial year. Refer to the relevant Product Disclosure Statement for more information.