Retirement Income Covenant Position Paper

The retirement phase of the superannuation system is currently under-developed and needs to be better aligned with the overall objective of the superannuation system of providing income in retirement to substitute or supplement the Age Pension. The Government is addressing this through the development of a retirement income framework.

The first stage in this framework is the introduction of a retirement income covenant in the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993, which will require trustees to develop a retirement income strategy for their members. The covenant will codify the requirements and obligations for superannuation trustees to consider the retirement income needs of their members, expanding individuals’ choice of retirement income products and improving standards of living in retirement.

This position paper outlines the principles the Government proposes to implement in the covenant and supporting regulatory structures.