Is the Govt over-estimating non-super investment?

The Government may be significantly over-estimating the amount of investments Australians hold outside of superannuation, according to wealth advisory firm, Dixon Advisory.

In a submission to the Senate Economics Committee review of the Objective of Superannuation legislation, Dixon Advisory has argued that superannuation really is the major investment vehicle for Australians alongside the family home.

The submission argues that there is "a false premise that individuals are saving substantial amounts outside of their superannuation to fund their retirement" — something reflected in Treasurer Scott Morrison's second reading speech, when he stated Australian's retirement income comprises of the Age Pension, compulsory superannuation and other private savings, including voluntary contributions to superannuation and the family home.

Dixon Advisory said this was uncontentious but it believed that levels of savings outside superannuation and the family home were insufficient for sustainable retirement.

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"Superannuation is not merely just one part of the greater retirement income system, rather it is the central mechanism that supports people in their retirement," it said.

The submission argued that analysis such as "households of all ages, incomes and wealth typically have other investments that are greater than their superannuation assets" actually failed to distinguish the small number of households that hold material non-super wealth and how this narrow distribution can create distortions in average figures.

"When assessing the level of savings across households, the proportion of households with savings outside of super and the family home are relatively low," it said. "Although an average net figure of approximately $85,000 is included in the "other assets" figures when averaging across the full household population, it is important to consider that only one in five households hold an investment property."