The recent round of regulatory and legislative changes affecting superannuation have made it one of the most attractive wealth accumulation vehicles, according to financial advisory firm Shadforths Limited.

Senior financial adviser with Shadforths Hayden Windsor said the abolition of the 15 per cent superannuation surcharge earlier this year, coupled with new contribution splitting laws passed by the Senate last week, had opened up a whole new raft of opportunities for investors.

He said the legislative and regulatory changes had resulted in an effective doubling of the tax free threshold for withdrawal of superannuation vehicles, while the super splitting provisions meant that couples might be able to draw a pension of up to $54,000 a year without paying any income tax.

Windsor said that the changes meant that a review of superannuation and taxation planning in 2006 had become an absolute must for serious investors.

“We’re talking about potential tax savings of up to $33,500 a year for people over 50 earning $100,000 or more a year as well,” he said.

Windsor said the potential tax planning opportunities created by the new legislation were significant.

“These changes, together with the earlier abolition of the superannuation surcharge, should reignite interest in superannuation as one of the most tax effective vehicles available for your retirement,” he said.