Australia running second on pensions

Australia's superannuation regime may be the envy of the world, but it has failed to top a new global pension index and has had to settle for second.

The inaugural Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index, produced by the Melbourne Centre for Financial Services and Mercer, gave the top ranking to the Netherlands, with 76.1 out of a maximum of 100, followed by Australia with 74 and Sweden with 73.5.

Commenting on the index outcome, Mercer Worldwide Partner on Retirement Risk David Knox said with the Australian superannuation system currently under the spotlight of the Henry and Cooper Reviews, the index represented a timely reminder that while the system had many good features, there was still much that could be done to improve its adequacy.

He pointed out that no country on the index had been classed as having an 'A-grade' system, which entailed registering a score of more than 80.

"The fact that no country achieved an A-grade classification confirms that no one system is perfect or currently robust enough to withstand the growing challenges of supporting an ageing population," Knox said.

"The best arrangements for a particular country will depend upon its individual social, economic, political, cultural and historical context," he said. "However, governments can learn lessons to help them better prepare for demographic change by looking at other retirement income systems."