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.”
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A member body representing some prominent wealth managers is concerned super funds’ dominance is sidelining small companies in capital markets.
Earlier this month, several Australian superannuation funds fell victim to credential stuffing attacks, which saw a small number of members lose more than $500,000.
Small- to medium-sized funds have become collateral damage in an "imperfect" model for super industry levies, a financial institution has said.