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Foreign Pension → AU Super Transfer

Worked overseas and have a foreign pension? Here's how to transfer it to Australian super — country by country, with tax implications.

Key rule: Transfers from a foreign super fund (a fund that meets the definition in the ITAA 1997) into an Australian super fund count as assessable income of the fund — but specific exemptions apply. The treatment varies significantly by country.

🇬🇧 United Kingdom — SIPP/Workplace Pension Transfer possible

UK pensions can be transferred to an Australian QROPS (Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Scheme) compliant super fund.

Transfer mechanismQROPS transfer via compliant AU fund

UK tax on transfer0% if to genuine QROPS. 25% overseas transfer charge if to non-QROPS.

AU tax treatmentTaxable component — applicable fund income (15%). Exempt if for service in a bilateral country.

Contribution cap impactDoes NOT count towards concessional/non-concessional caps (it's a transfer, not a contribution)

UK State PensionCannot be transferred. Paid directly by UK DWP. Frozen rate for AU residents (no annual increase).

🇳🇿 New Zealand — KiwiSaver Transfer possible

KiwiSaver funds can be transferred to AU super under the Trans-Tasman portability arrangement.

Transfer mechanismTrans-Tasman Retirement Savings Portability (since 2013)

NZ tax on transfer0% — no exit tax

AU tax treatmentTax-free component = member tax credits (govt contributions). Taxable component = remainder.

PreservationRemains preserved under AU rules (age 60 + condition of release)

NZ State PensionCannot be transferred. Under Direct Deduction Policy — reduces AU Age Pension dollar-for-dollar.

🇺🇸 United States — 401(k) / IRA No direct transfer

There is no mechanism to transfer a US 401(k) or IRA directly into Australian super. You must withdraw and contribute separately.

Transfer mechanismNo direct transfer available

US tax on withdrawalTaxed as ordinary income (10–37%). 10% early withdrawal penalty if under 59½.

AU treatmentWithdraw in US → transfer cash → contribute to AU super as non-concessional contribution (cap: $120k/yr)

StrategyConsider Roth conversion in low-income years, then tax-free Roth withdrawals after 59½.

🇨🇦 Canada — RRSP Partial transfer

No direct transfer mechanism. Canadian RRSP can be withdrawn (25% non-resident WHT) and contributed to AU super.

Canadian tax25% non-resident WHT on withdrawal (reduced to 15% under DTA for periodic payments)

AU treatmentWithdrawn funds can be contributed as non-concessional contributions ($120k/yr cap)

🇸🇬 Singapore — CPF No transfer

Singapore CPF cannot be transferred. Withdrawals are only possible at age 55+ (with restrictions). No lump sum transfer to foreign pension.

🇩🇪 Germany — Gesetzliche Rente No transfer

German state pension cannot be transferred. Private (Riester/Rürup) pensions have limited portability — typically paid as pension at retirement age.

General Transfer Rules

Applicable fund income: Transfers from foreign super funds are generally taxed at 15% in the receiving AU fund — but exemptions apply for bilateral countries and for the tax-free component.
Not a contribution: A foreign super transfer is NOT counted towards your concessional or non-concessional contribution caps.
Cash withdrawal + contribute: If no direct transfer exists, withdraw overseas, transfer cash to Australia, and make a non-concessional contribution (subject to $120k cap or $360k bring-forward).
FITO on foreign tax: If foreign tax was paid on the withdrawal, you may be able to claim a Foreign Income Tax Offset in Australia.

Get specialist advice: Cross-border pension transfers are complex and mistakes are expensive. A specialist expat financial adviser who understands both countries' pension systems is essential for transfers over $50,000.