Retirement
Pensioners push to preserve super account balances
As the government makes it easier for Australians to access their super, a prominent retiree association is requesting almost the opposite: a removal of the minimum drawdown amount for the pension phase.
Pensioners push to preserve super account balances
As the government makes it easier for Australians to access their super, a prominent retiree association is requesting almost the opposite: a removal of the minimum drawdown amount for the pension phase.
Wayne Strandquist, president of the Association of Independent Retirees (AIR), has said that “in times of financial crisis such as now, retirees need more flexibility in the minimum amount they are required to draw from their superannuation”.
He acknowledged that retirees who are living off their superannuation “usually have some investments in shares and they have experienced a dramatic fall in their account balances due to the current sharemarket collapse”.
Australian legislation requires retirees to draw a minimum percentage from their superannuation account – usually done monthly.
The association said that being forced to withdraw from their superannuation when the value of the account is substantially diminished will have a long-term impact on how long that superannuation lasts in retirement.
At the present time, it noted that retirees don’t have any option to preserve their account balance by stopping the minimum superannuation drawdown amount.
Mr Strandquist said “the Association of Independent Retirees seeks government intervention to give immediate relief to the current age-based drawdown percentages for account-based pension income streams and allow greater flexibility for retirees to vary the amount they can draw from their superannuation account.”
While the association previously called on the government for greater flexibility by broadening of the age ranges and a lowering of the minimum drawdown percentages, Mr Strandquist said the current investment market crisis has led AIR to seek “immediate options for retirees to lower or cease withdrawals from their superannuation account and resume their usual drawdowns when the investment markets improve”.
RELATED ARTICLES
About the author
About the author
Superannuation
Rest strengthens investment strategy with seasoned executive appointment
In a strategic move to bolster its investment strategy, Rest, one of Australia's largest profit-to-member superannuation funds, has appointed Andy Moser as the Head of CIO Office. This newly created ...Read more
Superannuation
NGS Super strengthens leadership with appointment of new Chief Member Officer
In a strategic move to bolster its member growth and experience transformation, NGS Super has appointed Adam Parsons as the new Chief Member Officer (CMO). Effective from 1 June 2026, Parsons will ...Read more
Superannuation
Aware Super triumphs at Chant West Super Fund Awards with top honours
In a significant achievement for Aware Super, the fund has clinched top honours at the Chant West Super Fund Awards, securing both the Super Fund of the Year and Pension Fund of the Year titlesRead more
Superannuation
NGS Super rolls out enhanced member advice services with a focus on accessibility
In a significant move to make financial advice more accessible, NGS Super has unveiled an enhanced suite of member advice services, featuring a new digital advice platform. This initiative aims to ...Read more
Superannuation
US data centre investment highlights the benefits of decarbonisation and digitalisation
In a compelling demonstration of the global shift towards decarbonisation and digitalisation, Rest, one of Australia's largest profit-to-member superannuation funds, has underscored the value created ...Read more
Superannuation
Aware Super bolsters support for financial advisers amid growing partnerships
In a strategic move to enhance its growth trajectory, Aware Super has announced a significant investment in bolstering support for financial advisers, aiming to deliver superior retirement outcomes ...Read more
Superannuation
TelstraSuper and Aware Super merge, creating a powerhouse with over $235 billion in funds
In a strategic move that underscores the growing trend of consolidation in the superannuation industry, TelstraSuper and Aware Super have successfully completed their merger, creating a formidable ...Read more
Superannuation
Parliamentary support heralds a fairer superannuation system for under-18s
In a significant development for Australia's superannuation landscape, Rest, one of the nation's largest profit-to-member super funds, has praised the recent cross-parliamentary support for extending ...Read more
Superannuation
Rest strengthens investment strategy with seasoned executive appointment
In a strategic move to bolster its investment strategy, Rest, one of Australia's largest profit-to-member superannuation funds, has appointed Andy Moser as the Head of CIO Office. This newly created ...Read more
Superannuation
NGS Super strengthens leadership with appointment of new Chief Member Officer
In a strategic move to bolster its member growth and experience transformation, NGS Super has appointed Adam Parsons as the new Chief Member Officer (CMO). Effective from 1 June 2026, Parsons will ...Read more
Superannuation
Aware Super triumphs at Chant West Super Fund Awards with top honours
In a significant achievement for Aware Super, the fund has clinched top honours at the Chant West Super Fund Awards, securing both the Super Fund of the Year and Pension Fund of the Year titlesRead more
Superannuation
NGS Super rolls out enhanced member advice services with a focus on accessibility
In a significant move to make financial advice more accessible, NGS Super has unveiled an enhanced suite of member advice services, featuring a new digital advice platform. This initiative aims to ...Read more
Superannuation
US data centre investment highlights the benefits of decarbonisation and digitalisation
In a compelling demonstration of the global shift towards decarbonisation and digitalisation, Rest, one of Australia's largest profit-to-member superannuation funds, has underscored the value created ...Read more
Superannuation
Aware Super bolsters support for financial advisers amid growing partnerships
In a strategic move to enhance its growth trajectory, Aware Super has announced a significant investment in bolstering support for financial advisers, aiming to deliver superior retirement outcomes ...Read more
Superannuation
TelstraSuper and Aware Super merge, creating a powerhouse with over $235 billion in funds
In a strategic move that underscores the growing trend of consolidation in the superannuation industry, TelstraSuper and Aware Super have successfully completed their merger, creating a formidable ...Read more
Superannuation
Parliamentary support heralds a fairer superannuation system for under-18s
In a significant development for Australia's superannuation landscape, Rest, one of the nation's largest profit-to-member super funds, has praised the recent cross-parliamentary support for extending ...Read more
