Industry funds claim polling rejects super wind-back
Industry Super Australia (ISA) has pointed to specific polling to reinforce that Australians will not back a Liberal Party push to change arrangements around the superannuation guarantee (SG).
ISA has pointed to polling conducted by polling company UMR to state: “Australians have overwhelmingly rejected a push by a group of minority backbenchers to freeze the superannuation guarantee at 9.5 per cent.”
It said the research confirmed strong support for an increase in super contributions, with 87 per cent of people surveyed in favour of increasing the super guarantee above its current level of 9.5 per cent.
ISA said the poll showed that just 19 per cent, or one in five Australians, with superannuation said they expected to be able to live comfortably off their super in retirement, with a majority saying they would either need to work longer to have enough money to retire, or rely on the pension if super contributions didn’t increase.
It said the research had also shown that increased reliance on the pension as a result of freezing super contributions was also a big concern, with two-thirds of people surveyed (66 per cent) worried that everyone would end up footing the bill because the government will have to support more people on the pension.
Proposals to make super ‘opt-out’ for particular groups such as low income workers or high income earners received low support, with only a third of those polled expressing support – including low income earners.
ISA chief executive, Bernie Dean, said the poll confirmed that Australians had overwhelmingly rejected a push to wind back the super guarantee.
“These results should send a clear message to the Government to keep their hands off Australians’ super,” he said.
“Australians are rightly concerned about their retirement and whether they will be able to make ends meet. Freezing the super guarantee will force Australians to work longer, and increase the burden on the pension.”
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