The Actuaries Institute has commended the government on its various measures to improve superannuation announced in the Budget but believe it had not leveraged the Retirement Income Review to make more impactful changes to the retirement incomes system.
The institute welcomed the removal of the $450 per month super guarantee threshold, the increase in the First Home Super Saver to $50,000, and the increase in the Pension Loans Scheme to provide more Australians with flexibility for funding their retirement.
However, it said the Government did not address measures to help non-homeowners in retirement, particularly some of the most at risk of poverty in retirement – single female renters.
Actuaries Institute president, Jefferson Gibbs, said: “The system also still lacks an overall objective for superannuation and its role in supporting retirement incomes.
“The Institute urges the government to provide clarity on the purpose of superannuation, to enable more substantive reforms to be sensibly made to improve the system.”
The institute also commended the government for taking steps to help Australians protect themselves against the risk of shock events, such as natural disasters. The government announced detail about a reinsurance pool which was backed by a $10 billion government guarantee to improve affordability of insurance premiums in northern Australia.
Actuaries Institute chief executive, Elayne Grace, said: “Overall, the Institute welcomes targeted spending that increases the wellbeing of all Australians and is particularly pleased to see a significant increase in spending on many important areas, including aged care, mental health and having a strong and fair National Disability Insurance Scheme”.
Super funds have built on early financial year momentum, as growth funds deliver strong results driven by equities and resilient bonds.
The super fund has announced that Mark Rider will step down from his position of chief investment officer (CIO) after deciding to “semi-retire” from full-time work.
Rest has joined forces with alternative asset manager Blue Owl Capital, co-investing in a real estate trust, with the aim of capitalising on systemic changes in debt financing.
The Future Fund’s CIO Ben Samild has announced his resignation, with his deputy to assume the role of interim CIO.