'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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Super was available in Australia decades ago like I am talking around the 1930's before company involvement you could get private super with many companies when I first started work at 15 in 1971 I was too young to sign up for company super so for 6 years I had a private super then when I was 21 I joined our company super and transferred my private super to the company super
 
If this is the case and retirees are benefiting from a very healthy superannuation system why don`t you spend it and enjoy the ride! Some people have super, some not what a privilege if you do!!
 
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Pensions still exist and most retirees actually get some Pension and the benefits that go with it.
I note you are a very strong ALP supporter but you left your bias blind you in this instance. The word’ most‘and ‘some’ sum up the reality. if they had super in the first place what happens is that you “might” get super but your pension loss is probably just offseting that amount of super. Note that many have small balances of super. A lot of women cannot in their lifetime accumulate enough super to live on even with a part pension especially at times like this when Labor has stuffed things up over the last 3 years.
 
NEWS FLASH!!

AUSTRALIAN PENSIONERS SET TO RECEIVE AN EXTRA $34.50 PER FORTNIGHT.

Some pricks will say "Is that all?"

Be thankful you get ONE cent. Most of you were probably born overseas anyway, contributing zero to the Australian economy, instead propping up the economies your warmongering country of origin.

I am on a rampage today.
Well hou have plenty racism but little logic. I thought this was about Super.? You do not get the benefit of that compulsory super contribution unless you are working you nincompoop. To get the pension or part pension you need to qualify for it. You have lost the plot. This nation is a migration nation and nearly everyone in it is a “ migrant” including most Aussies of British stock who emanate from England, Scotland , Ireland or English colonies. You are purely RACIST but mostly STUPID. I repeat you are truly STUPID.
 
NEWS FLASH!!

AUSTRALIAN PENSIONERS SET TO RECEIVE AN EXTRA $34.50 PER FORTNIGHT.

Some pricks will say "Is that all?"

Be thankful you get ONE cent. Most of you were probably born overseas anyway, contributing zero to the Australian economy, instead propping up the economies your warmongering country of origin.

I am on a rampage today.
Oh how true. Well said!!
 
Well hou have plenty racism but little logic. I thought this was about Super.? You do not get the benefit of that compulsory super contribution unless you are working you nincompoop. To get the pension or part pension you need to qualify for it. You have lost the plot. This nation is a migration nation and nearly everyone in it is a “ migrant” including most Aussies of British stock who emanate from England, Scotland , Ireland or English colonies. You are purely RACIST but mostly STUPID. I repeat you are truly STUPID.
Poking this little "black" duck will only result in one outcome.

I will show the door to the afterlife with a one way ticket.
 
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NEWS FLASH!!

AUSTRALIAN PENSIONERS SET TO RECEIVE AN EXTRA $34.50 PER FORTNIGHT.

Some pricks will say "Is that all?"

Be thankful you get ONE cent. Most of you were probably born overseas anyway, contributing zero to the Australian economy, instead propping up the economies your warmongering country of origin.

I am on a rampage today.
That's a bit rough, Veggie. 🤔
 
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NEWS FLASH!!

AUSTRALIAN PENSIONERS SET TO RECEIVE AN EXTRA $34.50 PER FORTNIGHT.

Some pricks will say "Is that all?"

Be thankful you get ONE cent. Most of you were probably born overseas anyway, contributing zero to the Australian economy, instead propping up the economies your warmongering country of origin.

I am on a rampage today.
Well how wrong can you be. I refer you back to my earlier reply when I said that the increase per week per pensioner would be in the vicinity of $2.55. Veggie patch predicted a $34.50 pension increase per fortnight. Well I will summarise the expected payments based on the normal PI/Wages % increases and they are as follows:-
Single. - $4.52 per fortnight( $2.26 per week)
Couple - $3.41 (each) per fortnight( or $1.70 rounded per week)
Couple combined - $6.82 per fortnight

The above relate to full pensioners. Part pensioners will of course get less.

The above list amounts which are really the true increase for March 20, 2025 must be an embarrassment to you Vienna Patch.
 
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People are never bloody happy. This country has some wonderful services yet people just expect more and more.
Oh yes. I should have been deliriously happy receiving $133 every 2 weeks. 25 years full time care of my hubby, and, for that I should be eternally grateful. Would have been a bloody sight more if I decided to put him in care. He was sick enough. Mind you, I worked full time for 30 years before that, and paid all my taxes, paid for my husband's care, paid all our medical bills, and I would do it all again if I could only have him back, but, that is not to be.
We saved all our married life towards our retirement and missed the Superannuation train along the way.
I receive not one red cent because we did save. I receive no benefits ... zip, zero, nada because my husband went and died. I have to live off my savings, which I expected. I was not aware everything, including my status as an aged person would disappear as well.
I am bloody furious because Centrelink vultures circled before I even had a chance to cremate him. After 1 week I received a message that hubby's mobility parking card had to be returned immediately. Payments stopped immediately the week after the funeral home sent in the advise of death. 2 weeks after I was informed his Opal card was no longer valid. Then, the rates, water, and, power followed. Why am I furious??? I was not given a chance to come to terms to losing him. I was given no warning, no MyGov message, nothing. While I type this I cry. Every SMS or letter is received in dread because it is probably another claw back of any possible benefit.
I spent 25 years caring for my John and probably saved the Government $thousands in doing so. No superannuation for this, regardless of who you are.
You bet I am not happy Greg. A little empathy from the powers to be at a time like this would not go astray. Today, we are nothing but computer read-outs.
 
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Well how wrong can you be. I refer you back to my earlier reply when I said that the increase per week per pensioner would be in the vicinity of $2.55. Veggie patch predicted a $34.50 pension increase per fortnight. Well I will summarise the expected payments based on the normal PI/Wages % increases and they are as follows:-
Single. - $4.52 per fortnight( $2.26 per week)
Couple - $3.41 (each) per fortnight( or $1.70 rounded per week)
Couple combined - $6.82 per fortnight

The above relate to full pensioners. Part pensioners will of course get less.

The above list amounts which are really the true increase for March 20, 2025 must be an embarrassment to you Vienna Patch.
I am Australian, not Austrian, you dopehat!

You could have said "Valletta Patch" instead, to further your geographical ineptness, with a reference to your ancestry.
 
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Oh yes. I should have been deliriously happy receiving $133 every 2 weeks. 25 years full time care of my hubby, and, for that I should be eternally grateful. Would have been a bloody sight more if I decided to put him in care. He was sick enough. Mind you, I worked full time for 30 years before that, and paid all my taxes, paid for my husband's care, paid all our medical bills, and I would do it all again if I could only have him back, but, that is not to be.
We saved all our married life towards our retirement and missed the Superannuation train along the way.
I receive not one red cent because we did save. I receive no benefits ... zip, zero, nada because my husband went and died. I have to live off my savings, which I expected. I was not aware everything, including my status as an aged person would disappear as well.
I am bloody furious because Centrelink vultures circled before I even had a chance to cremate him. After 1 week I received a message that hubby's mobility parking card had to be returned immediately. Payments stopped immediately the week after the funeral home sent in the advise of death. 2 weeks after I was informed his Opal card was no longer valid. Then, the rates, water, and, power followed. Why am I furious??? I was not given a chance to come to terms to losing him. I was given no warning, no MyGov message, nothing. While I type this I cry. Every SMS or letter is received in dread because it is probably another claw back of any possible benefit.
I spent 25 years caring for my John and probably saved the Government $thousands in doing so. No superannuation for this, regardless of who you are.
You bet I am not happy Greg. A little empathy from the powers to be at a time like this would not go astray. Today, we are nothing but computer read-outs.
Maria, so sorry that you have had this experience. When did this happen? In 2015, I took my 78 yr old aunt to centrelink after she sold her villa to come and live with me and it was the same. She wasn`t going to buy a new place and had about (from the sale of her villa $225,000) in her bank account and did not have super, she was treated very poorly she is receiving a reduced pension and not getting any extra`s. She had always worked and paid taxes, the system is all wrong and then you come across the wealthy who have the means to dodge taxes and end up doing very well, how is this???
 
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I am Australian, not Austrian, you dopehat!

You could have said "Valletta Patch" instead, to further your geographical ineptness, with a reference to your ancestry.
That was a typo you idiot. You know little about anything except crudeness. Obviously you were raised in a vegetable patch. Most Australians would disown you for your stupidity.
 
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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.
Not a windfall for those of our age group. I contributed well over the amount my employer did (3.5%). Only now find out I cannot even get aged care as those that had overseas holidays or squandered their money on various things.
 
Oh yes. I should have been deliriously happy receiving $133 every 2 weeks. 25 years full time care of my hubby, and, for that I should be eternally grateful. Would have been a bloody sight more if I decided to put him in care. He was sick enough. Mind you, I worked full time for 30 years before that, and paid all my taxes, paid for my husband's care, paid all our medical bills, and I would do it all again if I could only have him back, but, that is not to be.
We saved all our married life towards our retirement and missed the Superannuation train along the way.
I receive not one red cent because we did save. I receive no benefits ... zip, zero, nada because my husband went and died. I have to live off my savings, which I expected. I was not aware everything, including my status as an aged person would disappear as well.
I am bloody furious because Centrelink vultures circled before I even had a chance to cremate him. After 1 week I received a message that hubby's mobility parking card had to be returned immediately. Payments stopped immediately the week after the funeral home sent in the advise of death. 2 weeks after I was informed his Opal card was no longer valid. Then, the rates, water, and, power followed. Why am I furious??? I was not given a chance to come to terms to losing him. I was given no warning, no MyGov message, nothing. While I type this I cry. Every SMS or letter is received in dread because it is probably another claw back of any possible benefit.
I spent 25 years caring for my John and probably saved the Government $thousands in doing so. No superannuation for this, regardless of who you are.
You bet I am not happy Greg. A little empathy from the powers to be at a time like this would not go astray. Today, we are nothing but computer read-outs.
Good on you.... Greg can go and stuff himself with the rough end of a pineapple...
 

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