The superannuation industry wants recognition from the Commonwealth and State Governments that it is an essential service.
The Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA) has confirmed that it has written to the Federal and all State and Territory Governments putting its case forward for recognition of superannuation funds as an essential service.
In a message to members, ASFA said it had outlined “why superannuation services should be classified as an ‘essential service’ if further mandatory restrictions are placed on businesses in the immediate future”.
It said that informal feedback from the NSW Government is that the classification of ‘essential services’ is based on health advice from the chief medical officers and is likely to develop depending on how COVID-19 is impacting the community.
“We will work constructively with all levels of Government to ensure superannuation members continue to receive the services they depend on from their superannuation fund,” it said.
Introducing reforms for strengthening simpler and faster claims handling and better servicing for First Nations members are critical priorities, according to the Super Members Council.
The Commonwealth Bank has warned that uncapped superannuation concessions may be “unsustainable” and has called for the introduction of a superannuation cap.
Superannuation funds have posted another year of strong returns, but this time, the gains weren’t powered solely by Silicon Valley.
Australia’s $4.1 trillion superannuation system is doing more than funding retirements – it’s quietly fuelling the nation’s productivity, lifting GDP, and adding thousands to workers’ pay packets, according to new analysis from the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA).