The Federal Government’s downsizing policy released in last night’s Federal Budget removes a big barrier for retirees looking to extend their independence and improve their quality of life.
Ben Myers, Executive Director – Retirement Living at the Property Council, says being able to invest the proceeds of a home sale into superannuation accounts will encourage some seniors to downsize.
“One of the biggest drags on Australian health budgets is the impact of older people living in three, four or five bedroom houses not suited for ageing, with high levels of maintenance and trip hazards,” Mr Myers said.
“Allowing eligible seniors to sell their home and invest up to $300,000 – effectively $600,000 for couples – into superannuation will encourage downsizing and lead to happier and healthier lifestyles.
“Retirees and pensioners don’t deserve to be penalised for making housing choices that suit their needs, and this policy helps to address that penalty. But what it doesn’t do is address the inequality in the aged pension assets test, which the Property Council estimates is blocking upwards of 50,000 people a year from making the move to smaller and more manageable homes.
“Exempting some sale proceeds from the assets test would remove the largest barrier to downsizing for people receiving the full age pension.
“We know from previous research that retirees who downsize to retirement villages are saving the Federal Government more than $2 billion each year from fewer GP and hospital visits and delayed entry into aged care.
“We note that National Seniors Australia, the country’s peak lobby group for over 50s, has also declared assets testing exemptions to be the most effective method for removing downsiz
Media contact: Paul Ritchie | E [email protected]