Australians losing out from multiple super costs
Australians are losing $6.5 billion on unnecessary costs such as fees and subscriptions, prompting Rest to encourage them to check their bank and superannuation statements.
The superannuation provider found 62 per cent were paying for services they no longer used, losing out on $3.9 billion, and the average Australian had three monthly subscriptions.
They were also losing a further $2.6 billion on excess fees and insurance for multiple superannuation accounts, which was exacerbated by the fact 21 per cent said they had never checked their superannuation account.
Rest chief executive, Vicki Doyle, said: “Many Australians are feeling overwhelmed by their current and future finances, and unfortunately this can have a negative impact on their financial health. One-in-five Aussies have never checked their bank or credit card statements, and a fifth have never checked their superannuation account. Yet checking these statements was found to be the most common way of discovering fees they weren’t aware of.”
Research found holding multiple superannuation accounts could erode savings as administration fees, insurance premiums and contributions tax add up to significant amounts over time, particularly as some people were unaware they hold more than one.
The Productivity Commission Report found a worker with two accounts over their working life would end up $51,000 worse off at retirement.
The need to consolidate multiple accounts was even more pressing since the Protecting Your Super legislation came into force on 1 July, which meant inactive accounts with less than $6,000 would be transferred to the Australian Taxation Office.
AUTHOR
Laura Dew
Recommended for you
AZ NGA has entered into a strategic partnership with national advice firm MiQ Private Wealth, as a way to provide a succession solution, as well as career development opportunities for staff.
While the advice profession struggles under growing operating costs, Adviser Ratings has found more than half of practices – some 58 per cent – that generate less than $250,000 in revenue report no profit at all.
The Federal Court has ordered the freezing of assets and the appointment of receivers to two entities linked to Australian Fiduciaries, ASIC’s latest move in an ongoing investigation into the company’s managed investment schemes.
Off the back of the August adviser exam results, the profession has seen 17 new entrants hit the Financial Adviser Register (FAR) this week, helping numbers return to positive territory.
