'The envy of the world': Australia’s retirees are set to become some of the wealthiest

Planning for retirement is a lifelong journey, and for Australians, it may come with a surprising advantage.

New research suggests the nation’s retirement savings could soon reach record-breaking heights, outpacing global counterparts in ways few might expect.

What’s driving this financial surge, and how does Australia’s system compare on the world stage?


Australia’s retirees were on track to become some of the wealthiest in the world, according to new research.

The Super Members Council, representing over 11 million Australians, reported that the country’s pension assets would surpass those of the UK by 2030 and Canada by 2031.

Despite having only the 55th largest population, this would make Australia’s collective retirement savings the second largest globally, trailing only the United States.


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Australia’s pension wealth is on track to soar. Image source: Pexel/Andrea Piacquadio


An analysis by the council revealed that between 2001 and 2023, Australian workers contributed more to their superannuation than any other OECD nation.

Their contributions significantly exceeded the OECD average.

Super Members Council CEO Misha Schubert stated that Australia’s superannuation system was ‘the envy of the world.’

‘Australia has the fastest growing super system globally—twice the rate of international peers,’ she said.

‘We’re the only OECD country where spending on government-funded pension payments is falling and will continue to fall.’


She credited the system’s success to three key policies: its universal and compulsory nature, as well as strong preservation rules.

‘Three key policy settings have made Australia's super system one of the biggest and most effective internationally and underpin its long-term success,’ she said.

‘Because super is universal, compulsory and preserved until our retirements, total system contributions are projected to reach $141 billion for the financial year 2024 to 2025.’

‘These safeguards—especially that people's investments are preserved until retirement—are the secret sauce of super, giving Australians in their millions the power of compound returns over decades.’


Australian workers’ superannuation contributions were the highest among OECD nations.

Funds under management had grown to $4.1 trillion, exceeding individual Sovereign Wealth Funds, including Norway’s $2.8 trillion and China’s $2.1 trillion.

A delegation of Australian super fund representatives was in the United States seeking new investment opportunities.

The group was set to meet with Australia’s Ambassador to the US, Kevin Rudd, and Consul-General in New York, Heather Ridout.

Their meeting would take place at the Superannuation Investment Summit in Washington DC and New York.


In a previous story, we explored how millions of Australians are set to receive a boost in their Centrelink payments.

With retirement savings on the rise, this increase could provide even more financial security for those relying on government support.

Find out if you’re eligible and what this means for your future.

Key Takeaways

  • Australia’s superannuation system is set to become the world’s second-largest by 2031, surpassing the UK and Canada.
  • Australian workers lead OECD nations in super contributions, projected to hit $141 billion in 2024 to 2025.
  • The system’s success comes from being universal, compulsory, and preserved, allowing for strong long-term growth.
  • With $4.1 trillion under management, Australian super reps are in the US exploring investment opportunities.

With Australia’s superannuation system growing at an unprecedented rate, what impact do you think this will have on future retirees? Share your thoughts in the comments!
 

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On the contrary. Australians should be grateful that our Superannuation system was initiated by Paul Keating - a Labor PM. The LNP keeps trying to damage our Super - encouraging early withdrawals etc -0 a big mistake.
 
On the contrary. Australians should be grateful that our Superannuation system was initiated by Paul Keating - a Labor PM. The LNP keeps trying to damage our Super - encouraging early withdrawals etc -0 a big mistake.
I closed my sper down about 14 years ago.... the best then I ever did.
 
And those who worked hard when fit and able and scrimped and saved and went without, finally bear the fruits of their labour. Still have a productive veggie patch and orchard and share with family and friends. We shouldn't announce this too much as the Government will want to get their hands on this windfall.
 
On the contrary. Australians should be grateful that our Superannuation system was initiated by Paul Keating - a Labor PM. The LNP keeps trying to damage our Super - encouraging early withdrawals etc -0 a big mistake.
YES INITIATED BY THEM SO THAT YOU WOULD FUND YOUR OWN RETIREMENT, THEREBY FREEING UP ALL THE NORMAL PENSION FUNDING. IT WAS JUST THE CLASSIC THREE CARD MONTE THE LABOUR PARTY WAS PREPARED TO PERPETUATE. THIS ONLY GOT TO LOOK AT THIS LATEST ONE HE'S MORE INTERESTED ON HIS UPCOMING NUPTIALS THAN BEING WILLING TO WORK FOR US. CHRIST HE'S EVEN GOT HIS MATES OFF OUR COAST PRACTISING A FIREWORKS DISPLAY OFF OUR COAST. IF HE WAS A MAN OF CONVICTION HE'D AT LEAST BE TRYING TO ORGANISE A LIVE FIRING EXERCISE IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEA.
 
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If it was the envy of the World why has it not taken been taken up in other countries? Yes it is successful for the reasons given but who pays most of it ? Compulsorily contributed by the Employers but at what cost to the community. Higher costs to Employers are necessarily built into the pricing which means that the consumers pay in higher prices and , if not, the Employer absorbs it and fights to survive. The big Emplyers don’t worry too much as they can easily add it to their prices but because of the high volume of sales they have the price impact is better covered. Small businesses on the other hand have been dealt a huge blow.
The other impact is that Super Fund managers and their staff get the opportunity to feather their own nests and the main beneficiaries are the Unions.
 
If it was the envy of the World why has it not taken been taken up in other countries? Yes it is successful for the reasons given but who pays most of it ? Compulsorily contributed by the Employers but at what cost to the community. Higher costs to Employers are necessarily built into the pricing which means that the consumers pay in higher prices and , if not, the Employer absorbs it and fights to survive. The big Emplyers don’t worry too much as they can easily add it to their prices but because of the high volume of sales they have the price impact is better covered. Small businesses on the other hand have been dealt a huge blow.
The other impact is that Super Fund managers and their staff get the opportunity to feather their own nests and the main beneficiaries are the Unions.
Who makes the big $$$$
 
must be an election coming up....time to make the pensioners shut up and be grateful for the wonderful govt funding the pensions are........im still trying to find the difference between pension and welfare....it seems workers retire with a means tested pension (welfare ? )available after 65....politicians retire with a pension non means tested , available immediately,,,funny that.
 

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