Super definition could be narrowly interpreted

14 April 2016
| By Jassmyn |
image
image
expand image

The Financial System Inquiry's (FSI) proposed superannuation definition could be interpreted for super to only provide assistance up to the level of the Age Pension, the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA) believes.

In its submission to Treasury, ASFA proposed the objective of super to "ensure that all working Australians, save for their retirement throughout their working life to achieve an adequate level of income throughout retirement".

ASFA chief executive, Pauline Vamos, said "while we support the FSI proposal to ‘provide income in retirement to substitute or supplement the Age Pension', we believe that if narrowly interpreted, it could mean that superannuation only provides assistance up to the level of the Age Pension".

"This would not be an acceptable outcome for the community and would fall well short of delivering on the social goals of the system."

"Our alternative proposes that the system delivers adequate retirement outcomes with commensurate economic and social well-being, free from undue hardship," Vamos said.

"Achieving a comfortable retirement is the hope and aspiration of the bulk of Australians, and the achievement of this is fundamental to Australia's economic and social well-being".

Read more about:

AUTHOR

Recommended for you

sub-bgsidebar subscription

Never miss the latest developments in Super Review! Anytime, Anywhere!

Grant Banner

From my perspective, 40- 50% of people are likely going to be deeply unhappy about how long they actually live. ...

10 months 1 week ago
Kevin Gorman

Super director remuneration ...

10 months 2 weeks ago
Anthony Asher

No doubt true, but most of it is still because over 45’s have been upgrading their houses with 30 year mortgages. Money ...

10 months 2 weeks ago

The profit-to-member super funds are officially operating as a merged entity, set to serve over half a million members. ...

1 day 9 hours ago

Super Review announced 21 winners at the annual Super Fund of the Year Awards, including the recipient of the prestigious Fund of the Year Award....

2 days ago

APRA data shows the CFMEU accounted for 28 per cent of super fund industrial contributions, with the shadow treasurer calling for a prompt investigation into the payments...

3 days 4 hours ago