Most Australians believe the superannuation guarantee should be raised to 12 per cent, according to new research released at the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA).
The research, released by the new ASFA chief executive, Dr Martin Fahey at the national conference on the Gold Coast reinforced that the current paused superannuation guarantee rate of 9.5 per cent was not enough to deliver Australians a comfortable retirement.
Fahey said the SG needed to rise initially to 12 per cent and then to the 15 per cent originally envisaged by former Prime Minister and Treasurer, Paul Keating.
"We all know that a comfortable retirement cannot be achieved via the current paused rate," he said.
"It is not enough."
Fahey said the need to increase the SG had to be viewed in the context of the strong consumer support for superannuation which had been identified by the ASFA research with 63 per cent of respondents supporting increasing the SG to 12 per cent and the knowledge that 54 per cent regarded superannuation as a great way to save for retirement.
He also noted the high level of satisfaction with superannuation funds, with only five per cent of respondents indicating they were considering changing their arrangements or changing funds.
However he cautioned that funds would increasingly need to ensure they were fit for purpose in circumstances where 20 per cent of respondents aged under 29 indicate they were looking to change their super fund in the next 12 months.
Deloitte Access Economics has raised concerns about the government’s recent changes to the Future Fund’s investment mandate, questioning the necessity and implications of the reforms.
An industry body has praised the strong backing from institutional investors for Australia’s transition to renewable energy.
The proposed reforms have been described as a key step towards delivering better products and retirement experiences for members, with many noting financial advice remains the “urgent missing piece” of the puzzle.
Jim Chalmers has defended changes to the Future Fund’s mandate, referring to himself as a “big supporter” of the sovereign wealth fund, amid fierce opposition from the Coalition, which has pledged to reverse any changes if it wins next year’s election.