Call for super relief for “pre-Baby Boomer” women

8 March 2016
| By Mike |
image
image
expand image

Pre-Baby Boomer women should be given the right to make non-concessional superannuation contributions when they have the ability, according to a late submission to the Senate Committee Inquiry into the economic security for women in retirement.

The submission, filed late last week, by a 75-year-old woman, Helen Mackley, points to the disadvantage being experienced by women in the generation before the Baby Boomers — many of them the daughters and nieces of World War II diggers.

"These women are NOT baby boomers," Mackley's submission said. "They are pre-baby boomers."

"A number, although constituting a minor segment of both cohorts, had to work at times in their life but few were members of a superannuation fund. Lucky ones (mainly self employed/ family business) continue to work today and eligible to contribute to superannuation. A small number are quite rich and will have other means of investment."

The submission said that women aged 75 years and over currently numbered approximately 700,000 and noted that a FERPA Women's Committee published a report in 2012 found that older women were at the highest risk of poverty due to erosion of savings and income by inflation.

"Their higher life expectancy compared to men means that inflation erodes their pension to a greater extent. In the 75 plus age bracket this risk is double that than men in Australia," it said.

It said for this reason the age cap on contributions to superannuation funds for women aged 75 and over should be removed to allow older women to make non-concessional super contributions when they choose or are able.

It said that, to this end, the requirement that the women were recently, or currently in employment should be removed.

Read more about:

AUTHOR

Recommended for you

sub-bgsidebar subscription

Never miss the latest developments in Super Review! Anytime, Anywhere!

Grant Banner

From my perspective, 40- 50% of people are likely going to be deeply unhappy about how long they actually live. ...

1 year 4 months ago
Kevin Gorman

Super director remuneration ...

1 year 4 months ago
Anthony Asher

No doubt true, but most of it is still because over 45’s have been upgrading their houses with 30 year mortgages. Money ...

1 year 4 months ago

A member body representing some prominent wealth managers is concerned super funds’ dominance is sidelining small companies in capital markets....

17 hours 59 minutes ago

While the latest quarterly CPI print exceeded expectations, most economists still anticipate a rate cut, especially amid growing downside risks to global growth stemming ...

18 hours ago

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....

18 hours ago

TOP PERFORMING FUNDS

ACS FIXED INT - AUSTRALIA/GLOBAL BOND
Fund name
3y(%)pa
1
DomaCom DFS Mortgage
93.34 3 y p.a(%)
2
5
Plato Global Alpha A
28.73 3 y p.a(%)