WE DEMAND:
A Dignified Retirement For Every Worker
TO: STEPHEN JONES,
MINISTER FOR FINANCIAL SERVICES
What we’re calling for:
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Increase the minimum employer super contribution for all workers to 15%.
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Pay super to every worker on every dollar earned, including penalty rates, overtime and allowances, workers’ compensation, employer-funded and unpaid parental leave and for workers with a disability in supported industries. Give Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workers early access to their super when they need to retire early for health reasons.
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Make the rich pay what they truly owe through superannuation taxes and provide more support to workers with low super balances.
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WHY IT’S IMPORTANT:
Whatever your stage in life, every one of us should be able to look forward to a comfortable and dignified retirement after a lifetime of hard work.Â
That’s why unions built Australia’s superannuation system. And why we need to fight to make it stronger. Â
But the fact is that bosses are short-changing younger workers – and parents who take career breaks to raise children are also missing out. Meanwhile, many older workers simply can’t afford to stop working. Women are most at risk of retiring in poverty; we have 30 percent less super savings than men, on average. Â
We can fix this. Employer contributions are still too low – so let’s raise the rate. And gig workers, under-18s and those with disabilities may miss out on super altogether. Many others don’t get super on big chunks of income like penalty rates, allowances, workers’ compensation and employer-funded paid parental leave. Let’s close these loopholes. Â
At the same time, wealthy Australians are using the super system as a tax dodge that’s costing us billions. Let’s lift up those of us who really do need support as we prepare for retirement.Â
15% SUPER - WHY IT MATTERS
Kaylene
I don’t want to have to struggle when I retire. I have worked hard all my life and paid my taxes, when I retire, I shouldn’t have to keep struggling to keep my head above water.
Nelson
Workers are builders of the country, they should be treated with a dignified retirement at the end of their working career.
Julie
I would like to retire comfortably after working my whole life in Australia and payed alot of tax.
Anita
I am that age for retirement next year I would like to fight for are right for better retirement we all work so hard so let us all do this and fight for are right.
Anne
The Union is doing a good job for us the members in raising this issue and demanding a superannuation increase.
Wayne
ACOSS notes a 31% poverty rate for First Nations peoples, as compared to approximately 12% for the population. Nobody in Australia should live, retire then die in poverty.
James
Many working people are struggling now. The pension has not kept pace with inflation and real costs of living meaning people must fund their retirement themselves to not live in poverty. Living expenses are only go up. All statistics show the wealth disparity in this country just gets bigger and companies keep announcing record profits. They can contribute their fair share through 15% super contributions. Workers are already doing their bit.
Vani
It matters to me cause I wanna be able to do the things I want when I retire, like travelling, places I’m dreaming of going to. I think everyone deserves 15% super 👌
Robin
As I’m getting closer to retirement I would like to have as much money as possible to survive on after retirement.
Sandra
I’m a 63 year old chef and have worked in hospitality all my life. My super is just over $100,000, due to several factors: casual employment and low wages for many years, employers who didn’t always pay super, being out of the work force for several years due to child-rearing. I will probably have to keep working beyond pension age in order to increase my super to something resembling an income I could live on.
Josefine
I feel that I will not have enough when I retire. Since I still have a very small amount in my super! A 15% increase will be something good and will atleast help in the future.
Mark
We need a dignified retirement, not like some unfortunate people living in parks now because they can’t afford the rent
Rebkah
As a female single mother I have virtually no super, what little I had I lost to fees and taxes.
Every person deserves their super
Patricia
I don’t think I will ever have enough super to retire on. It’s scary to think I will need to beg the government to help me with a pension because I won’t be able to live and pay bills, due to having so little savings.
Ganeshwar
We should have enough funds for retirement.
CAROLE
I am on the verge of retiring myself, early due to a cancer diagnosis. I am disappointed that my super does not reflect my hard work and efforts over the decades. It will not fund my retirement, despite making contributions to the maximum allowable in recent years. An increase to 15% from employers will make an enormous difference.
Elenoa
Our labour should not go in vain. The sleepless nights we have to endure, the high standard of care we provide and not forgetting the sacrifices we make, leaving our families behind just to be here taking care of other people’s loved ones.
Every dollar matters.
Julie
I’ve been working for Ed Qld for the last 30 years part time and putting extra into super for the last 24 years.
I’m close to transitioning to retirement and would like to know that I’m set up to enjoy myself and live comfortably in my retirement.
This would help me greatly towards that.
Colleen
Women are being behind on super savings. Plus, I’m married to 63 year old Aboriginal man who’s still working with chronic diseases to get by.
Lucy
People should be able to retire on a comfortable pension. Increased super contributions will save the government money as people will be able to self fund there retirement, paid medical benefits and other payments that the government has to pay for in old age.
