The majority of businesses can afford to increase workers’ superannuation by $1 a day per employee, as there has not been a significant wage rise in years, according to a super body.
The Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA) has said the National Accounts data reinforced the need for the legislated increase in the super guarantee (SG).
In the June quarter 2020, corporate profits were up 15% (16% higher than the corresponding quarter last year) while wages and salaries were down 2.5%, according to Australian Bureau of Statistics data.
Excluding the mining sector, the quarterly increase in corporate profits was the largest in almost two decades, and the ASX200 had risen 16% over the same period.
ASFA chief executive, Dr Martin Fahy, said: “Once again we see clear evidence that the share of income accruing to business is ballooning while hard pressed workers face the bleak reality of weaker wages for longer.
“At $1 a day per employee, the increase in superannuation is affordable for the majority of businesses and is now critical to allow workers to catch up, given they haven’t seen a significant wage rise in years, and with little possibility of higher wages on the horizon.
“Only the scheduled increase in the superannuation guarantee will provide workers with a pay rise next year and help to address the structural imbalances that continue to occur between fat profits and flat wages.”
Australia’s second-largest super fund has confirmed it is expanding its presence in the UK following significant investment in the region.
A member of the super fund has approached ASIC to investigate potentially misleading or deceptive representations by UniSuper regarding the holdings of its sustainable portfolios.
The median growth fund delivered 1.9 per cent in March, adding to the “stunning” rally that has seen super funds gain 11 per cent since November.
Vanguard has affirmed its support for the current super performance test, emphasising the importance of keeping the process straightforward.
Add new comment