Is Australia cutting back on aged pensions despite a surge in retirees?
Retiring comfortably is on the minds of nearly everyone planning for the future. But how much money you need each year to do so, or what money you’ll have access to, can depend heavily on the country you’re in.
With that in mind, it looks like the age pension is going to become a less significant portion of Australia's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the coming decades, according to a new report.
The report, titled the 2023 Intergenerational Report, has stated that spending on the aged pension will drop from 2.3 to two per cent of GDP by the time the country reaches the 2060s.
This is despite projections that the number of people aged over 65 will double to nine million, and those aged over 85 will triple.
But why is that the case when the number of pensioners is increasing?
Well, the reason is that the rising superannuation savings pool is set to increase to 220 per cent of GDP by 2060, with the number of age pensioners expected to fall by 15 per cent.
There is approximately $3.5 trillion in the super assets pooled held by around 17 million Australians As the super pool continues to rise, fewer Australian seniors will be eligible for age pension payments.
By this projection, the country is set to have the lowest proportion of public spending on pensions among the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) nations by 2035.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers described the superannuation system as 'intergenerational genius': ‘Super is delivering on its promise–providing a better retirement for more Australians and a better outcome for the budget over the next 40 years,' he said.
As Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones said, 'More people are going to expect more. Superannuation is ensuring that those increased expectations and the increased notions about what it is to live a dignified retirement is going to be met.'
You can watch an ABC News In-depth report about this topic here:
In related news, the Aged Community Care Providers (ACCPA) has proposed changes to the superannuation savings, which they said should be set aside to help improve standards in aged care and address the sector’s funding shortages.
Members have expressed their opinion about this proposal, with Member @JG48 saying: ‘So like the retirement fund we all used to be compelled to pay into before the creation of Superannuation. The one that the Labor Government took saying the next generation can cover the costs of the people's money they stole? Young people now have to pay for the pre Superannuation retirement, but only because the retirement savings have already been taken by Labor. It's not paying for, it's paying back....’
Member @Roscobro commented: ‘Leave our superannuation alone.’
‘The problem is, no one is asking where is the money going that people currently are paying. ? Because it’s not going on their care. Where is it going? No accountability.’ Member @Januvia1952 pointed out.
What do you think of the 2023 Intergenerational Report, members? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
With that in mind, it looks like the age pension is going to become a less significant portion of Australia's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the coming decades, according to a new report.
The report, titled the 2023 Intergenerational Report, has stated that spending on the aged pension will drop from 2.3 to two per cent of GDP by the time the country reaches the 2060s.
This is despite projections that the number of people aged over 65 will double to nine million, and those aged over 85 will triple.
But why is that the case when the number of pensioners is increasing?
Well, the reason is that the rising superannuation savings pool is set to increase to 220 per cent of GDP by 2060, with the number of age pensioners expected to fall by 15 per cent.
There is approximately $3.5 trillion in the super assets pooled held by around 17 million Australians As the super pool continues to rise, fewer Australian seniors will be eligible for age pension payments.
By this projection, the country is set to have the lowest proportion of public spending on pensions among the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) nations by 2035.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers described the superannuation system as 'intergenerational genius': ‘Super is delivering on its promise–providing a better retirement for more Australians and a better outcome for the budget over the next 40 years,' he said.
As Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones said, 'More people are going to expect more. Superannuation is ensuring that those increased expectations and the increased notions about what it is to live a dignified retirement is going to be met.'
You can watch an ABC News In-depth report about this topic here:
In related news, the Aged Community Care Providers (ACCPA) has proposed changes to the superannuation savings, which they said should be set aside to help improve standards in aged care and address the sector’s funding shortages.
Members have expressed their opinion about this proposal, with Member @JG48 saying: ‘So like the retirement fund we all used to be compelled to pay into before the creation of Superannuation. The one that the Labor Government took saying the next generation can cover the costs of the people's money they stole? Young people now have to pay for the pre Superannuation retirement, but only because the retirement savings have already been taken by Labor. It's not paying for, it's paying back....’
Member @Roscobro commented: ‘Leave our superannuation alone.’
‘The problem is, no one is asking where is the money going that people currently are paying. ? Because it’s not going on their care. Where is it going? No accountability.’ Member @Januvia1952 pointed out.
Key Takeaways
- Spending on the aged pension in Australia is expected to decline, despite a doubled ageing population, due to increased superannuation savings.
- By the 2060s, the number of people aged 65 and over is expected to double to nine million, while those aged over 85 will triple.
- The number of people on the aged pension is projected to decrease by 15 per cent as super balances rise to almost 220 per cent of GDP, leading to Australia having the lowest proportion of public spending on pensions among OECD nations by 2035.
- The Treasurer, Jim Chalmers, applauds the superannuation system for providing a better retirement for more Australians and a better budget outcome over the next 40 years.
What do you think of the 2023 Intergenerational Report, members? Share your thoughts in the comments below!