How can we make Australia's retirement system fair for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people?

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2025-09-08 03:00

Australia; NSW; QLD

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Australia's pension and superannuation system does not work for many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, according to Australian researchers, who say a system that allows Indigenous people earlier access to retirement could help address this inequality. Due to their lower life expectancy, the researchers say 65% of Indigenous Australians do not live long enough to access the aged pension, and underemployment and a lack of understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander kinship means Indigenous people likely have lower super balances and less capacity to pass their super balance on to their loved ones after death. The researchers propose a system where Indigenous people and Australians with chronic illnesses impacting their lifespan could opt in to earlier super and pension access, arguing this would not be the first time Australia's retirement system has been changed to address inequalities in Australian society.