When planning for retirement, the savings gained from years of work is crucial to securing a comfortable future but the superannuation sector can be tricky to navigate.
The Australian Council of Trade Unions wants a superannuation guarantee of 15 per cent fast-tracked for women so they can achieve independence in retirement.
The ACTU's Assistant Secretary Scott Connolly says women earn less than men, therefore, accumulate a low level of superannuation because of their wages.
The ACTU says the government has legislated for a nine and a half per cent rate until mid next year but that will slowly increase to 12 per cent over time.
ACTU President Michele O'Neil (centre) urges Indonesian President Joko Widodo to repeal Omnibus Law on Job Creation. (AAP) Source: AAP
The union also made a submission calling out superannuation inequality for women as part of the Retirement Income review with a report due out by mid this year.
27 years after compulsory superannuation was established, the federal government agreed to the independent review to examine pension age, voluntary savings and how the retirement income system will function as the population ages.
Mr Connolly says the superannuation system has structural flaws and he wants politics put aside to enhance future living standards for women.
The coronavirus economic downturn has had a greater impact on women's employment and salaries. Source: Getty
The report states superannuation is not a product to be sold and too many employees have multiple accounts.
It's a common occurrence when workers start in new jobs and don't actively tell employers about their existing superannuation account, therefore a new one is created.
The Federation of Ethnic Communities Councils of Australia Mary Patetsos says often superannuation isn't explained well and there is a need for improved education.
