Retirement
Super release ‘a last resort’, industry urges
Accessing your super should be a last resort after exhausting all other options, including new government benefits, industry experts have advised.
Super release ‘a last resort’, industry urges
Accessing your super should be a last resort after exhausting all other options, including new government benefits, industry experts have advised.
According to Super Consumers Australia, Council On The Ageing (COTA) and Choice, a member in their 30s who takes advantage of the government’s early access to superannuation and withdraws the full $20,000 will be $49,823 worse off in retirement.
“Taking out money before retirement means losing the benefit of compound interest over a lifetime. Depending on how old you are, withdrawing money now could see you having to work much longer to make up the difference before you retire,” said Super Consumers Australia director Xavier O’Halloran.
“There are a number of financial assistance options to help people through these tough times. Super will be the right option for some, but you should be looking at what else is available and possible cuts to discretionary spending before raiding the cookie jar,” Mr O’Halloran said.
The group also advises members that losses will be cemented if superannuation is withdrawn today, without giving it time to rebuild.
COTA CEO Ian Yates applied past lessons, explaining that one of the tragedies of the GFC was that people crystallised their losses by taking their diminished funds out of their super accounts.
“They then had no way of growing them back, and at the same time they lost the multiple tax advantages you get from having your savings in a superannuation account.”
“Our message is that, if at all possible, if your savings are in super, keep them in super. Even if you move your money into a more conservative option within your super fund, you can move it back into a growth fund later. But if you move it out of super, you may not be able to put it back in again,” Mr Yates said.
Finally the advocacy groups urged people who might want to access their superannuation early to watch out for scammers looking to take advantage of the situation.
“Trying to scam people out of their super is disgraceful behaviour. We’d advise people to stay well away from anyone attempting to charge you a fee to help you withdraw your super early,” Mr O’Halloran said.
“If you get an unsolicited email about early access to your super, delete it. If you get an unsolicited call, hang up.”
RELATED ARTICLES
About the author
About the author
Superannuation
Australia's super performance test transforms investing: What's the next move?
APRA’s latest performance test has done more than name and shame lagging super options; it has rewired investment strategy, compressed fees and accelerated consolidation across the $3Read more
Superannuation
Australia's super test dilemma reform could boost long-term gains while keeping accountability sharp
APRA’s latest performance test results have reignited a structural debate: can Australia hold funds to account while still backing the nation’s long-horizon investment needs? With the government ...Read more
Superannuation
Super funds rethink strategy as APRA's performance test hits a fork in the road
The latest performance test results have reignited debate over Australia’s superannuation benchmarking regime and prompted a formal government review. Behind the headlines, boards are quietly rewiring ...Read more
Superannuation
Aware Super enhances digital tools for financial advisers, boosting efficiency and client engagement
Aware Super has unveiled a suite of new digital features designed to streamline the workflow for financial advisers and their clients. This significant upgrade includes direct data feeds to Xplan and ...Read more
Superannuation
Super funds flip the script as APRA's performance test sparks strategic overhaul
Australia’s performance test has lifted the floor on retirement outcomes—and divided the industry in the process. After early shockwaves, failure rates have fallen and fees have trended down, but ...Read more
Superannuation
Rewiring Australia’s super performance test: from compliance brake to capital engine
Can an accountability tool double as a nation-building lever? Canberra’s review of the superannuation performance test aims to preserve member protection while freeing funds to back long-dated assets ...Read more
Superannuation
Superannuation guarantee rate rises to 12 per cent as parental leave changes take effect
The superannuation guarantee rate has increased from 11.5 per cent to 12 per cent from Tuesday, with super contributions also being added to Commonwealth Parental Leave Pay for the first time. Read more
Superannuation
Rest's Sustainable Growth option achieves highest sustainability classification
Rest superannuation fund has achieved the highest sustainability classification for its Sustainable Growth investment option from the Responsible Investment Association Australasia. Read more
Superannuation
Australia's super performance test transforms investing: What's the next move?
APRA’s latest performance test has done more than name and shame lagging super options; it has rewired investment strategy, compressed fees and accelerated consolidation across the $3Read more
Superannuation
Australia's super test dilemma reform could boost long-term gains while keeping accountability sharp
APRA’s latest performance test results have reignited a structural debate: can Australia hold funds to account while still backing the nation’s long-horizon investment needs? With the government ...Read more
Superannuation
Super funds rethink strategy as APRA's performance test hits a fork in the road
The latest performance test results have reignited debate over Australia’s superannuation benchmarking regime and prompted a formal government review. Behind the headlines, boards are quietly rewiring ...Read more
Superannuation
Aware Super enhances digital tools for financial advisers, boosting efficiency and client engagement
Aware Super has unveiled a suite of new digital features designed to streamline the workflow for financial advisers and their clients. This significant upgrade includes direct data feeds to Xplan and ...Read more
Superannuation
Super funds flip the script as APRA's performance test sparks strategic overhaul
Australia’s performance test has lifted the floor on retirement outcomes—and divided the industry in the process. After early shockwaves, failure rates have fallen and fees have trended down, but ...Read more
Superannuation
Rewiring Australia’s super performance test: from compliance brake to capital engine
Can an accountability tool double as a nation-building lever? Canberra’s review of the superannuation performance test aims to preserve member protection while freeing funds to back long-dated assets ...Read more
Superannuation
Superannuation guarantee rate rises to 12 per cent as parental leave changes take effect
The superannuation guarantee rate has increased from 11.5 per cent to 12 per cent from Tuesday, with super contributions also being added to Commonwealth Parental Leave Pay for the first time. Read more
Superannuation
Rest's Sustainable Growth option achieves highest sustainability classification
Rest superannuation fund has achieved the highest sustainability classification for its Sustainable Growth investment option from the Responsible Investment Association Australasia. Read more
