The Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA) has called on the Federal Government to use next week’s Budget to abolish the current age-based contributions limits applying to people under 50.
In a wish list of outcomes from the Budget, ASFA not only called for the abolition of the age-based contribution limits, but also for a reduction in superannuation contributions and an expansion of the co-contributions regime.
Executive director of ASFA Philippa Smith said measures to increase Australians’ retirement savings were particularly apt in light of recent Australian Bureau of Statistics data revealing average superannuation savings per household were only just over $63,000, and that for a couple in the age group 55 to 64, the average super balance was just $168,000.
“Higher levels of savings are required to fund a comfortable retirement,” she said. “Removing the tax on superannuation contributions or expanding the co-contribution regime would help to narrow the widely-recognised gap between current and more realistic levels of retirement savings.”
Smith said it was important to restore and retain incentives for savings, particularly when changes to personal tax rates occurred because incentives to save had been severely squeezed in recent years.
The super fund has significantly grown its membership following the inclusion of Zurich’s OneCare Super policyholders.
Super balances have continued to rise in August, with research showing Australian funds have maintained strong momentum, delivering steady gains for members.
Australian Retirement Trust and State Street Investment Management have entered a partnership to deliver global investment insights and practice strategies to Australian advisers.
CPA Australia is pressing the federal government to impose stricter rules on the naming and marketing of managed investment and superannuation products that claim to be “sustainable”, “ethical”, or “responsible”, warning that vague or untested claims are leaving investors exposed.