Is this celebrity's claims about superannuation real? Expert shares her insights

Australians are no strangers to the ups and downs of the financial world.

From the fluctuating ASX to the latest cyber attack targeting retirement funds, it's enough to make anyone's head spin.

Amidst this whirlwind of financial news, a wild claim recently made rounds online that sparked everyone's concern.


A recent claim by former reality TV star Estelle Landy stated that superannuation is 'nothing but a scam'.

However, before anyone starts stuffing their savings under the mattress, a financial expert immediately shed light on these claims.

Finance expert Sarah Megginson stated that superannuation is not a scam.


compressed-Superannuation Debate.jpeg
Estelle Landy (left) and Sarah Megginson (right) shared their thoughts about superannuation. Image Credits: Instagram


It's a government-supported retirement savings scheme that was first introduced in 1992.

Since then, it has helped countless Australians save for retirement by putting away money during their working years.

These investments then grow over time.

Ms Landy's recent claim came from a place of frustration and misunderstanding.

While no superannuation is perfect, labelling the scheme a scam overlooked its fundamental purpose for millions of Australians.


Megginson, a personal finance expert with a passion for empowering women, found the claim disheartening.

According to Finder's State of Women Wealth Report 2025, women have been facing unique challenges when it comes to financial security and wealth.

The findings highlighted the stark disparities between men and women in terms of wealth and financial opportunities.

The reports first stated that 50 per cent of men are more likely to ask for a pay rise compared to women.

Whenever women receive pay raises, it's also less than what men often receive.

On average, female employees get an average raise of $2,424 compared to men who receive an average of $4,000.

Additionally, Australian women hold 39.5 per cent less average net wealth than men.


A staggering 35 per cent of women aged 65 and above have less than $1,000 in savings, compared to 22 per cent of men.

The most shocking part of this report was that these discrepancies even exist among children.

Girls receive less pocket money than boys, earning $7.50 per week on average compared to $10.30 for boys.

Listen to Estelle Landy's claim here:

Source: @estelleey/Instagram

Despite these challenges, women were seen as savvy investors who often outperformed men with their investment portfolios.

Given these hurdles, women, especially seniors, do not need the added burden of misinformation about superannuation.

Despite these explanations from Megginson, Landy has garnered support from people on social media.

Regardless, superannuation should be seen as a tool that, when used effectively, could provide a more secure financial future for everyone.

Key Takeaways

  • Superannuation recently came under scrutiny after a celebrity made claims about it being fake.
  • Despite the claim, superannuation is not a scam but a crucial part of financial planning for retirement.
  • Finder's State of Women's Wealth Report 2025 highlighted significant disparities between men and women in terms of wealth, salary, and investment opportunities.
  • There has been a notable gender pay gap, which contributed to the inequality women face when building wealth and financial security.
What do you think of this debate? Have you ever had doubts about superannuation? Share your thoughts and opinions with us in the comments below!
 
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Superannuation is good for poor money managers. For those who capably manage their own finances, it's not a benefit and it comes with major down sides and risks. In particular, being forced to save in super when you can't raise a house deposit is idiotic. Clowns who say 'super is for retirement' neglect to consider that if a person has to buy a home on retirement, they pay 10+++ times the amount they would have paid if they could have purchased it early in their working life. They also pay a huge amount of rent during their working years, way in excess of what they would have paid in home loan repayments, rates, insurance, maintenance etc.
I see claims that a $50K withdrawal form super at age 30 equates to a loss of several hundred thousand at retirement age. Okay. But if that withdrawal enables purchase of a home at age 30, it saves 35+ years of rent and housing insecurity. A retiree who owns their home and has $500,000 in super is far, far better off financially than a retiree with no home and $1 million. The homeowner retiree gets a part pension and lives very well. The non homeowner either pays high rent and struggles, or spends most of their $1 million on a house.
Additionally, the saver who manages to secure around $800in a super fund for retirement, and has $200K in other non-income-earning assets is disadvantaged by not getting any pension or concessions (assuming they own a home), but is compelled to find way to make $800K generate an income at least equal to the pension and concessions - which might be achievable in some years but not in economic downturns. So for some, all superannuation does is deny them a better lifestyle earlier in life and then result in losses of entitlements and keep them poorer later.
 
Superannuation is good for poor money managers. For those who capably manage their own finances, it's not a benefit and it comes with major down sides and risks. In particular, being forced to save in super when you can't raise a house deposit is idiotic. Clowns who say 'super is for retirement' neglect to consider that if a person has to buy a home on retirement, they pay 10+++ times the amount they would have paid if they could have purchased it early in their working life. They also pay a huge amount of rent during their working years, way in excess of what they would have paid in home loan repayments, rates, insurance, maintenance etc.
I see claims that a $50K withdrawal form super at age 30 equates to a loss of several hundred thousand at retirement age. Okay. But if that withdrawal enables purchase of a home at age 30, it saves 35+ years of rent and housing insecurity. A retiree who owns their home and has $500,000 in super is far, far better off financially than a retiree with no home and $1 million. The homeowner retiree gets a part pension and lives very well. The non homeowner either pays high rent and struggles, or spends most of their $1 million on a house.
Additionally, the saver who manages to secure around $800in a super fund for retirement, and has $200K in other non-income-earning assets is disadvantaged by not getting any pension or concessions (assuming they own a home), but is compelled to find way to make $800K generate an income at least equal to the pension and concessions - which might be achievable in some years but not in economic downturns. So for some, all superannuation does is deny them a better lifestyle earlier in life and then result in losses of entitlements and keep them poorer later.
You make good points.
 
Superannuation is good for poor money managers. For those who capably manage their own finances, it's not a benefit and it comes with major down sides and risks. In particular, being forced to save in super when you can't raise a house deposit is idiotic. Clowns who say 'super is for retirement' neglect to consider that if a person has to buy a home on retirement, they pay 10+++ times the amount they would have paid if they could have purchased it early in their working life. They also pay a huge amount of rent during their working years, way in excess of what they would have paid in home loan repayments, rates, insurance, maintenance etc.
I see claims that a $50K withdrawal form super at age 30 equates to a loss of several hundred thousand at retirement age. Okay. But if that withdrawal enables purchase of a home at age 30, it saves 35+ years of rent and housing insecurity. A retiree who owns their home and has $500,000 in super is far, far better off financially than a retiree with no home and $1 million. The homeowner retiree gets a part pension and lives very well. The non homeowner either pays high rent and struggles, or spends most of their $1 million on a house.
Additionally, the saver who manages to secure around $800in a super fund for retirement, and has $200K in other non-income-earning assets is disadvantaged by not getting any pension or concessions (assuming they own a home), but is compelled to find way to make $800K generate an income at least equal to the pension and concessions - which might be achievable in some years but not in economic downturns. So for some, all superannuation does is deny them a better lifestyle earlier in life and then result in losses of entitlements and keep them poorer later.
The super is paid by the employer. Income generated is no tax. How would you become wealthier without super? The boss would be the wealthy one
 
What a dumbass, she'll never work for 50 years to get her super to a level that will help her when she retires. Sounds like she wants it all now.
 

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