Superannuation missing from the IGR’s ageing narrative

The 2015 Report notes that around 70% of people of Age Pension age were receiving the Age Pension. Of these, 60% were in receipt of the full rate pension. It is predicted that the proportion of part-pensioners relative to full-pensioners is expected to increase, although the proportion of retirees receiving any pension is not projected to decline.

The really interesting issue relates to how the superannuation system will fit into this overall mix. The 2015 report is very light on with relevant details. This is a major weakness in the report, considering that the superannuation system is a critical element of how an ageing population can retire comfortably and reduce reliance on the aged pension from the Government.

The report notes that as Australians receive compulsory superannuation contributions for longer periods of their working lives, they are likely to retire with higher superannuation balances. This is particularly true as the amounts in superannuation are vested until the age of 55, increasing to the age of 60. So it is fair to say that Australians will have a higher superannuation fund balance in 2055 than they currently have in their funds.

The report states that the median account balance for a person aged 60 or over in the accumulation phase in 2011-12 is around $95,000. This is clearly not enough to be self-sufficient in retirement. So there is no doubt that the balances will be much higher by 2055. The report does not estimate what that balance might be by 2055.

Why? The answer could be that the Australian government is signalling that the superannuation system is about to the reviewed and that the tax concessions that favour superannuation are to be clawed back. The report actually notes that the government will consider several aspects of the superannuation system as part of the review of the tax system.

Presumably this is a reference to the impending White Paper on the tax system, which is already overdue. There is little doubt that the government has in its sights the current very generous tax concessions, which allows superannuation fund earnings to accrue with a minimal 15% tax rate and to allow substantial contributions to be made also at only 15%.

The real area that could be targeted is the fact that most superannuation benefits to those aged over 60 are tax exempt. Considering that the report notes that we have an ageing population and that those older Australians will continue to work then there is clearly an opportunity for such older Australians to put earnings into a superannuation fund, only be taxed at 15% within the fund and then receive tax free benefits when the amounts are withdrawn.

This is clearly a target area for the government and the report is laying the ground work for such a review. The Report also suggests that the Government is reviewing the manner in which the superannuation system can transform the superannuation fund pot of money into a retirement income stream. That is force older Australians to take their superannuation benefits as an income stream rather than as a lump sum.

Superannuation will be a major policy area for the government in the near future and it is a shame the 2015 Report provides very little guidance on preparing for that future.

This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.