Australians’ investment in superannuation is an almost life-long savings plan. It starts from the first superannuation contribution and lasts until the final pension payment.
In 1991, the Superannuation Guarantee levy was imposed. Australian’s participation in superannuation has accelerated from about 30% of employed persons to over 90% today.
Since the 1980s, Australia’s accumulated superannuation savings have risen from an amount equivalent to about 30% of GDP to about 120% of GDP today.
Over time, if more Australians contribute more super funds for longer proportions of their working lives at higher rates, average superannuation balances at retirement should continue to rise.
However, that growth is threatened by the Coalition’s superannuation legislation and because appropriate grandfathering provisions are not included in that legislation.
