Super benchmarks are inadequate
THE average level of superannuation savings will not provide retirement incomes for retirees, and the statutory contributions are not much help for baby boomers either.
This is the key message from AMP’s policy manager on superannuation incomes, Suzanne Doyle, in her submission last week to the Senate Select Committee on superannuation.
In the submission, Doyle says the often quoted retirement income adequacy benchmark of 60 per cent of pre-retirement income is unobtainable for baby boomers.
“The average superannuation balance is $57,000 according to our latest income and wealth report,” she says.
“You are not going to get 60 per cent adequacy with balances below $100,000.”
According to AMP, it will take an employee 40 years with the nine per cent compulsory superannuation contribution rate to reach 60 per cent adequacy.
To improve the level of superannuation savings, AMP is proposing changes to the taxation system on retirement savings.
“The best way to tax retirement savings is under an expenditure tax regime,” Doyle says.
“One advantage of this is to crystallise a lot of the changes in recent years and remove grandfather rights, which will make the whole system less complicated.”
Other proposals suggested by AMP include increasing the co-contributions to higher-income groups, making it easier to make voluntary contributions.
The other push is for people to take income stream annuities, rather than lump sums on retirement.
“We urge the Government to reform the current suite of complying annuities, so it can offer investment choice and increase the guaranteed period on a life annuity to 15 years,” she says.
“Something has to be done to make annuities sexier and cheaper.”
Recommended for you
Compared to four years ago when the divide between boutique and large licensees were largely equal, adviser movements have seen this trend shift in light of new licensees commencing.
As ongoing market uncertainty sees advisers look beyond traditional equity exposure, Fidante has found adviser interest in small caps and emerging markets for portfolio returns has almost doubled since April.
CoreData has shared the top areas of demand for cryptocurrency advice but finds investors are seeking advisers who actively invest in the asset themselves.
With regulators ‘raising the bar’ on retirement planning, Lonsec Research and Ratings has urged advisers to place greater focus on sequencing and longevity risk as they navigate clients through the shifting landscape.
