The number of people seeking early release superannuation in just one week has broken through the half a million mark.
The latest data from the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority has revealed that 581,000 applications were received for early release of which 472,000 were repeat applications.
It said this brought the total number of initial applications to 2.8 million and repeat applications to 0.8 million since the inception of the scheme.
“Over the week to 12 July, superannuation funds made payments to 734,000 members, bringing the total number of payments by funds to their members to approximately 3.3 million since inception,” it said.
“The total value of payments during the week was $6.2 billion, with $25.3 billion paid since inception. The average payment made over the period since inception is $7,718 overall and $8,755 when considering repeat applications only.”
The research house has offered a silver lining after super fund returns saw the end of a five-month streak last month.
A survey of almost 6,000 fund members has identified weakening retirement confidence, particularly among those under 55 years of age, signalling an opportunity for super funds to better engage with members on their retirement journey.
The funds have confirmed the signing of a successor fund transfer deed, moving closer to creating a new $29 billion entity.
A number of measures, including super on Paid Parental Leave, funding to recover unpaid super, and frameworks to encourage investment in the energy transition, have been welcomed by the superannuation industry.
Add new comment