My husband is 64, and I am 59. I work full-time with an income of $83,000, while my husband works part-time, earning $15,000–$20,000 per year. I have $190,000 in superannuation, and my husband has $230,000. Our mortgage balance is $20,000, and we have minimal other assets.

Would it be better for me to make extra contributions to my superannuation rather than my husband contributing to his, given that I pay more tax? Additionally, when my husband reaches 67 and becomes eligible for the age pension, would the tax office assess his eligibility based on my lower taxable income if I maximise my pre-tax super contributions through a transition-to-retirement strategy, or would he remain ineligible until I stop working?

A tax imbalance in your relationship doesn’t have to sink your retirement.Credit: Simon Letch

When a couple applies for the age pension, Centrelink assesses their combined financial situation, even if only one partner is of pensionable age. Superannuation isn’t counted as an asset until the owner reaches the eligible age, unless a pension has already started from that account.

Given the age difference between you and your husband, you may........

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