The flaws in the superannuation arguments being promoted by the Grattan Institute and others have been rammed home by a new Mercer Report released today.
The report, authored by Mercer’s David Knox, declares that the Grattan findings are flawed because it has used a series of assumptions that is not realistic for the average Australia.
Pointing to the dangers posed by the Government’s announcement of a review of Australia’s retirement income system, Knox backed his analysis by claiming that the Grattan assumptions simply did not stack up to closer scrutiny.
He said, on that basis, it was “vital to counter misleading conclusions to ensure all discussion and debate is grounded in reality and typical behaviour”.
Knox’s report for Mercer found that the Grattan Institute’s assumptions were based on a number of flawed assumptions including:
Knox said Grattan’s sole focus on retirement income also failed to consider the need for flexibility to provide retirees with access to capital, an important feature of retirement products.
“Mercer’s research has shown that retirees want a stable income for their whole life, as well as access to capital to provide them with some protection from unexpected expenses that can easily occur during retirement,” he said.
Dr Knox warned policy makers to approach Grattan’s research with “considerable caution” given it was limited to “a single cameo” that had given rise to “misleading” conclusions.
BlackRock boss Larry Fink praised Australia’s superannuation system in his annual chairman’s letter.
The prudential regulator has announced it will publish new expenditure data of superannuation funds, providing details on expenses like advice, director remuneration, and payments to unions.
Affirming the UK’s growing attractiveness as an investment destination, a number of Australia’s largest investors recently joined the UK Foreign Secretary for an exclusive briefing in Canberra to discuss further opportunities for trade and growth.
The specialist superannuation law advisory practice is set to wind up, with managing partner Jonathan Steffanoni planning to bring a new offering to market.
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