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11.5 per cent Superannuation Guarantee forecast to deliver up to $21,000 for retirement savings bump

New forecast shows the average Aussie will be $21,000 richer in retirement after change in payments from this month onwards. Here’s why.

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The average Australian will be $21,000 richer in retirement following changes to superannuation payments that kick in from this month, new analysis has revealed.

The Superannuation Guarantee, or the retirement payment employers must pay into employees’ super funds each month, lifted from 11 per cent to 11.5 per cent this month.

The Treasury Department estimates an average worker on $72,000 will pocket an $21,000 in savings at retirement from the change.

The government is progressively lifting the mandated payments from 10 per cent to 12 per cent of earnings, with the 12 per cent guarantee to kick in from July 2025.

The average worker will pocket about $64,000 more at retirement taking into account all rises in Super from 10 per cent to 11.5 per cent.

“Wages growth and tax cuts are putting cash in people’s pockets now and our increase to the super guarantee will put cash in people’s pockets for the future,” Treasurer Jim Chalmers said.

Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers said the lift in Super would make a ‘meaningful difference’ for Australians in retirement. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman
Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers said the lift in Super would make a ‘meaningful difference’ for Australians in retirement. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

“This will make a meaningful difference for millions of Australians who deserve a dignified retirement.

“The superannuation guarantee has increased three times under our government and this means an extra $64,000 at retirement for the average worker.”

The Treasury estimates part-time workers will also receive a savings boost from the new guarantee.

A 35-year-old part-time shop assistant is expected to pocket an extra $5000 at retirement from the 0.5 per cent lift from 11 per cent to 11.5 per cent.

Superannuation is designed to ensure financial security for Australians in retirement and reduce pressure on pensions.

Prime Minister Paul Keating introduce the scheme in 1992.

“Labor built Australia’s superannuation system, we are proud of it and we’ll always fight to strengthen it,” Mr Chalmers said.

Duncan Evans
Duncan EvansReporter

Duncan Evans is a reporter for News Corp’s NewsWire service, based in Adelaide. Before NewsWire, he worked as a resources and politics reporter for The Daily Mercury in Mackay, Queensland and as a reporter at CQ Today, an independent newspaper based in Rockhampton. He was raised in Emerald and Brisbane and studied English Literature and American Studies at the University of Sydney. He began his career in journalism working for the Jakarta Post in Indonesia for over two years as an editor, translator and writer. He is fluent in Indonesian.

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Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/breaking-news/115-per-cent-superannuation-guarantee-forecast-to-deliver-up-to-21000-for-retirement-savings-bump/news-story/428c6033f851329bdb528ce75a23120b