Reform of the Australian retirement income system

The Brotherhood of St. Laurence commissioned the National Centre for Social and Economic Modelling (NATSEM) to undertake a study of the inequities of Australia's retirement income system.

This report will discuss how well the current retirement system meets these objectives and specifically address issues of adequacy, equity, savings decisions, and sustainability.

Discussion will focus on how it is that a substantial proportion of older Australians are living in poverty (around 23.9 per cent) according to analysis by the Social Policy Research Centre given that a main objective of the Age Pension is to provide support for a basic standard of living.