From 1 July 2007 new taxation and preservation arrangements applying to Australia’s superannuation system took effect. It is not too much to say that the change enacted by the government during the course of the 2006–07 financial year constitute the largest overhaul of Australia’s retirement saving system since the advent of the compulsory superannuation system in the late 80 and early 90s.

While much of the superannuation system has remained unaltered by these changes, many aspects have been comprehensively altered, especially the taxation of the benefits when paid to the individual. This paper outlines these and subsequent significant changes to Australia’s superannuation system since 1 July 2007.