How do you want your retirement to look? ASFA survey

The Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA) today launched a new online survey to help gather views from the broader community on how the super system should be evolved to accommodate for the demographic changes Australia’s population will experience over the coming decades.

ASFA CEO Ms Pauline Vamos says with an ageing population, more retirees living longer and a maturing system there is a growing need to plan for how these factors will impact on retirement outcomes in the longer term.

“This is a conversation that needs to be started now so we can make the adjustments necessary to ensure we have a system which is sustainable into the future.”

The survey was launched as part of ASFA’s broad consultation process on the future design of the superannuation system, which commenced in May with the release of a comprehensive White Paper outlining ways the system could be adjusted to respond to the challenges posed by Australia’s ageing population.

“Community confidence in superannuation has been damaged by the constant tinkering with superannuation rules and policies. People deserve to be able to plan for their retirement without thinking the goalposts are going to be moved all the time. This is why we believe it’s crucially important we build a national consensus when it comes to superannuation policy, so that decisions can be made that are politically neutral and have the support of the broader community.”

The survey addresses a number of different areas where policy change may be required to ensure we have a superannuation system which is sustainable into the future and delivers an adequate income in retirement to all Australians.

“This is what we believe should be the overarching goal of Australia’s superannuation system – to ensure we all have enough income to live our post-work years in comfort and with dignity,” Ms Vamos concluded.

The survey will be open until 17 August 2013 and is available at www.surveymonkey.com/s/asfaconsumersurvey.

For further information regarding the White Paper and community consultation process, visit www.superannuation.asn.au/vision-for-super.

For further information, please contact:

Lisa Chikarovski, Media Manager, 0451 949 300

About ASFA

ASFA is the peak policy, research and advocacy body for Australia’s superannuation industry. It is a not-for-profit, sector-neutral, and non-party political national organisation whose aim is to advance effective retirement outcomes for members of funds through research, advocacy and the development of policy and industry best practice.