Significant savings gap in superannuation keeps growing

A survey by the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA) of up to 1,000 Australians found that on average women were not as engaged with their superannuation as men.

The super gap at retirement was found to be $150,000 less for women, with the average super balance at retirement hovering at $138,150 for women and $292,500 for men.

ASFA chief executive Dr Martin Fahy said more than 80 per cent of women were currently retiring with insufficient super savings to fund a comfortable lifestyle.

“Several factors are contributing to women’s lower super balances including the fact that women take time out of the paid workforce to have children and are more likely to care for family members,” Mr Fahy said.

“They are also more likely to be in part-time or lower paid employment. Women, on average, earn lower wages compared to their male counterparts and this is then reflected in their super balances.

“Women also live longer than men so they need more super to survive longer.”

The survey also found that only 15 per cent of women knew their exact super balance, compared to 25 per cent for men.

Only 8 per cent of women were confident about how much retirement savings they need, compared to 16 per cent for men.

Last month, RaboDirect’s 2017 Financial Health Barometer survey found that the super gap between men and women was expected to be up to $200,000.

Dixon Advisory managing director, head of advice, Nerida Cole, said that although women faced some significant barriers, there were some measures that could help address the gender super gap.

“The five year catch-up contribution provision; improving access to concessional contributions (particularly for contract workers); and the Low Income Super Tax Offset could help to boost women’s super savings,” said Ms Cole.

“There are also a range of strategies that couples can take advantage of to leverage tax free thresholds and build super.”

Dr Fahy said ASFA would continue to push for an increase in the Superannuation Guarantee (SG), from 9.5 to 12 per cent as soon as possible.

“The current level of superannuation savings do not provide economic security in retirement for a proportion of the Australian population, so any measures to lift superannuation savings overall will increase economic security in retirement for women and men,” he said.

“ASFA also recommends removing the $450-a-month threshold for the SG. We also think the government should enable employers to contribute more to superannuation for women without being considered to have breached anti-discrimination legislation.”