28 November 2016
Supplementary Retirement Scheme (SRS)
BY SHAWN LEE
It is the time of the year when the focus is on SRS again as the deadline for contributing to SRS draws closer.
Despite the benefits that come with the Supplementary Retirement Scheme (SRS), it is often overlooked as some find it difficult to understand how the scheme works.
In a snapshot, the SRS is a voluntary scheme to encourage us to save for retirement, over and above our CPF savings. Each dollar of SRS contribution will reduce our income chargeable to tax by a dollar in the next Year of Assessment (YA). In addition, only 50% of the withdrawals from SRS are taxable after retirement age and investment gains in SRS accumulate tax-free before withdrawal.
How can we benefit from SRS?
We illustrate using an example.
SRS chart
Enjoy Tax Savings
Assuming you have a taxable income of $72,000 before tax-relief from SRS,
Tax payable on $72,000 = $550 (on first $40,000)* + $2240 (7% X $32,000)*
= $2,790
If you contribute $15,300 in SRS by 31st December 2016, you can claim $15,300 of tax relief in the Year of Assessment (YA) 2017.
Your taxable income would be= $72,000 - $15,300 (tax relief enjoyed) = $56,700
Tax payable on $56,700 = $550 (on first $40,000)* + $1169 (7% X $16,700)*
= $1,719
Your tax savings with SRS = $2790-$1719 = $1,071
To calculate how much tax savings you enjoy by contributing to SRS, use this useful calculator by OCBC here.
*Based on IRAS’ current income tax rates and brackets
At retirement age, you can spread withdrawals from SRS for up to 10 years.
If you have saved $400,000 in SRS at age 62, you can withdraw $40,000 each year over 10 years. Since 50% of withdrawals are not taxable with SRS, only $20,000 (50% x $40,000) is taxable.
Based on current tax rates, the first $20,000 is not taxable and hence you do not have to pay any taxes if you have no additional income.
Important Pointers about SRS
There are some key areas about contributing and withdrawing from your SRS account that would be useful for you to know if you are considering to make use of it.
SRS Contributions
The current cap of contribution to SRS each year for Singaporeans and PRs is $15,300. All SRS contributions must be made in cash and contributions can be made any time and any number of times in a year before 31 December each year to enjoy tax reliefs in the Year of Assessment (YA) the next year.
SRS Withdrawals
Withdrawal after reaching statutory retirement age** (currently 62) or on medical grounds/death:
Withdrawal before reaching statutory retirement age** or in other situations:
50% of these withdrawals will be tax-exempt in the Year of Assessment (YA) following the year of withdrawal.
100% of these withdrawals will be subjected to tax
From the first withdrawal, you will have up to 10 years to withdraw the full amount. You may withdraw as many times as you wish without any penalty.
5% premature withdrawal penalty on the sum withdrawn will be imposed, unless withdrawal is made under exceptional circumstances
No further contributions to SRS is allowed after the 1st withdrawal is made.
Further contributions to SRS is still allowed
**Retirement age is defined as statutory retirement age that was prevailing when you made your first SRS contribution (currently age 62).
Since SRS is a scheme to encourage us to save for retirement, you will notice there are benefits when withdrawing after reaching retirement age and penalties imposed for withdrawals before retirement age. It is important that you withdraw from our SRS account only when you have reached retirement scheme if you intend on contribute to SRS.
How can I get started?
If you are keen to enjoy tax-savings using SRS, it is not difficult. Here are the steps to get started:
Step 1:
Open a SRS account with DBS, OCBC or UOB and contribute cash to your SRS account.
Step 2:
You can invest your SRS in shares, bonds, unit trusts, fixed deposits and insurance products from financial institutions to gain a better return on your monies contributed into your SRS account. Monies left in SRS account earn an interest of 0.05% p.a currently as offered by the 3 banks.
Step 3:
IRAS will grant the tax relief to you automatically in the year following the year of contribution provided, based on information provided by the SRS operators.
I hope this article has been useful for you to understand SRS better. In Part Two of our feature on SRS, my colleague shares more about options you can consider to grow your SRS Savings. As we draw nearer to the end of the year, here’s a gentle reminder for us to contribute to our SRS by 31st December 2016 to enjoy tax relief in Year of Assessment (YA) 2017.
To compare and learn more about using your SRS with retirement income products through DIYInsurance, click here. For advice on SRS, please contact us at enquiry@diyinsurance.com.sg
Useful sources:
Ministry of Finance: SRS E-booklet and Details about SRS
SRS reduces your taxable income by the same amount contributed to your SRS account. The contribution cap per years is S$15,300 for Singaporeans and PRs.
It is the time of the year when the focus is on SRS again as the deadline for contributing to SRS draws closer.
Despite the benefits that come with the Supplementary Retirement Scheme (SRS), it is often overlooked as some find it difficult to understand how the scheme works.
In a snapshot, the SRS is a voluntary scheme to encourage us to save for retirement, over and above our CPF savings. Each dollar of SRS contribution will reduce our income chargeable to tax by a dollar in the next Year of Assessment (YA). In addition, only 50% of the withdrawals from SRS are taxable after retirement age and investment gains in SRS accumulate tax-free before withdrawal.
How can we benefit from SRS?
We illustrate using an example.
SRS chart
Enjoy Tax Savings
Assuming you have a taxable income of $72,000 before tax-relief from SRS,
Tax payable on $72,000 = $550 (on first $40,000)* + $2240 (7% X $32,000)*
= $2,790
If you contribute $15,300 in SRS by 31st December 2016, you can claim $15,300 of tax relief in the Year of Assessment (YA) 2017.
Your taxable income would be= $72,000 - $15,300 (tax relief enjoyed) = $56,700
Tax payable on $56,700 = $550 (on first $40,000)* + $1169 (7% X $16,700)*
= $1,719
Your tax savings with SRS = $2790-$1719 = $1,071
To calculate how much tax savings you enjoy by contributing to SRS, use this useful calculator by OCBC here.
*Based on IRAS’ current income tax rates and brackets
At retirement age, you can spread withdrawals from SRS for up to 10 years.
If you have saved $400,000 in SRS at age 62, you can withdraw $40,000 each year over 10 years. Since 50% of withdrawals are not taxable with SRS, only $20,000 (50% x $40,000) is taxable.
Based on current tax rates, the first $20,000 is not taxable and hence you do not have to pay any taxes if you have no additional income.
Important Pointers about SRS
There are some key areas about contributing and withdrawing from your SRS account that would be useful for you to know if you are considering to make use of it.
SRS Contributions
The current cap of contribution to SRS each year for Singaporeans and PRs is $15,300. All SRS contributions must be made in cash and contributions can be made any time and any number of times in a year before 31 December each year to enjoy tax reliefs in the Year of Assessment (YA) the next year.
SRS Withdrawals
Withdrawal after reaching statutory retirement age** (currently 62) or on medical grounds/death:
Withdrawal before reaching statutory retirement age** or in other situations:
50% of these withdrawals will be tax-exempt in the Year of Assessment (YA) following the year of withdrawal.
100% of these withdrawals will be subjected to tax
From the first withdrawal, you will have up to 10 years to withdraw the full amount. You may withdraw as many times as you wish without any penalty.
5% premature withdrawal penalty on the sum withdrawn will be imposed, unless withdrawal is made under exceptional circumstances
No further contributions to SRS is allowed after the 1st withdrawal is made.
Further contributions to SRS is still allowed
**Retirement age is defined as statutory retirement age that was prevailing when you made your first SRS contribution (currently age 62).
Since SRS is a scheme to encourage us to save for retirement, you will notice there are benefits when withdrawing after reaching retirement age and penalties imposed for withdrawals before retirement age. It is important that you withdraw from our SRS account only when you have reached retirement scheme if you intend on contribute to SRS.
How can I get started?
If you are keen to enjoy tax-savings using SRS, it is not difficult. Here are the steps to get started:
Step 1:
Open a SRS account with DBS, OCBC or UOB and contribute cash to your SRS account.
Step 2:
You can invest your SRS in shares, bonds, unit trusts, fixed deposits and insurance products from financial institutions to gain a better return on your monies contributed into your SRS account. Monies left in SRS account earn an interest of 0.05% p.a currently as offered by the 3 banks.
Step 3:
IRAS will grant the tax relief to you automatically in the year following the year of contribution provided, based on information provided by the SRS operators.
I hope this article has been useful for you to understand SRS better. In Part Two of our feature on SRS, my colleague shares more about options you can consider to grow your SRS Savings. As we draw nearer to the end of the year, here’s a gentle reminder for us to contribute to our SRS by 31st December 2016 to enjoy tax relief in Year of Assessment (YA) 2017.
To compare and learn more about using your SRS with retirement income products through DIYInsurance, click here. For advice on SRS, please contact us at enquiry@diyinsurance.com.sg
Useful sources:
Ministry of Finance: SRS E-booklet and Details about SRS
SRS reduces your taxable income by the same amount contributed to your SRS account. The contribution cap per years is S$15,300 for Singaporeans and PRs.
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