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The Government Has Let You Down: Find Out How!

As of 31 March 2023, around 2.8 million Australians aged 65 and over were reliant on income support payments. This staggering figure represents 63% of the population in this age group.

Of these individuals, a vast majority (92%, or 2.6 million people) were recipients of the Age Pension. Additionally, 228,200 people aged 65 and over were receiving other forms of income support, including:

Disability Support Pension (DSP): 124,700 people
Carer Payment: 60,800 people
JobSeeker Payment: 39,100 people

These statistics paint a concerning picture of the financial stability of older Australians and highlight a significant issue: the heavy reliance on government handouts.

But why is this the case?

Let's delve into the reasons behind this dependency and explore how the government has let down its citizens, particularly through its handling of industry and retail super funds.

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The Promise of Superannuation: A Safety Net with Holes

When the superannuation system was introduced, it was hailed as a revolutionary way to ensure Australians could enjoy a comfortable retirement.

Industry and retail super funds were supposed to provide a robust safety net, reducing reliance on government pensions. However, the reality has been far from this ideal.

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Poor Performance and High Fees

Many industry and retail super funds have underperformed, delivering returns that fall short of expectations.

Additionally, these funds often come with high fees that erode the savings of hardworking Australians.

Instead of growing their nest eggs, many retirees find themselves with inadequate funds, unable to sustain their standard of living without government assistance.

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Lack of Regulation and Transparency

The superannuation sector has been plagued by a lack of stringent regulation and transparency.

Poor governance and conflicts of interest have led to mismanagement and a lack of accountability.

This has resulted in many Australians being left in the dark about the true state of their retirement savings until it's too late.

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The Government's Role: Neglect and Inaction

The government's failure to address these issues has exacerbated the problem.

Despite numerous reviews and reports highlighting the shortcomings of the superannuation system, meaningful reforms have been slow to materialise.

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Over-reliance on the Age Pension

The government's over-reliance on the Age Pension as a safety net has also contributed to the problem.

Instead of ensuring that the superannuation system is robust enough to support retirees independently, the government has allowed the pension to become a crutch for millions of Australians.

Jar of coins with the word pension written on it.

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The Human Impact: Financial Insecurity in Retirement

The human cost of these systemic failures is significant. Older Australians who have worked hard their entire lives are finding themselves facing financial insecurity in their retirement years. This is not just a statistic; it's a reality for 2.8 million people who deserve better.

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