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Women, COVID-19 and Superannuation

Author

Listed:
  • Elisa Birch

    (University of Western Australia)

  • Alison Preston

    (University of Western Australia)

Abstract

This paper draws on evidence from various Australian data sources to offer a descriptive analysis of recent trends in employment participation and superannuation outcomes of males and females. The paper has three aims. The first is to review recent policy developments in terms of their likely effect on the gender gap in superannuation balances. The second is to consider the effects of COVID-19 on the gender gap in balances and, the third is to consider future policy directions and research needs. Preliminary evidence suggests that the gender gap in balances amongst young males and females may have widened as a result of COVID-19 policy responses. The research also highlights the need for regular, systematic and comprehensive reporting of superannuation data detailing coverage, contributions and balances with the data disaggregated by gender and age.

Suggested Citation

  • Elisa Birch & Alison Preston, 2021. "Women, COVID-19 and Superannuation," Australian Journal of Labour Economics (AJLE), Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre (BCEC), Curtin Business School, vol. 24(2), pages 175-198.
    • Handle: RePEc:ozl:journl:v:24:y:2021:i:2:p:175-198
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Cain Polidano & Andrew Carter & Marc Chan & Abraham Chigavazira & Hang To & Justin Holland & Son Nguyen & Ha Vu & Roger Wilkins, 2020. "The ATO Longitudinal Information Files (ALife): A New Resource for Retirement Policy Research," Australian Economic Review, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, vol. 53(3), pages 429-449, September.
    2. Annamaria Lusardi & Olivia S. Mitchell, 2014. "The Economic Importance of Financial Literacy: Theory and Evidence," Journal of Economic Literature, American Economic Association, vol. 52(1), pages 5-44, March.
    3. Alison C. Preston & Robert E. Wright, 2019. "Understanding the Gender Gap in Financial Literacy: Evidence from Australia," The Economic Record, The Economic Society of Australia, vol. 95(S1), pages 1-29, June.
    4. Elisa R. Birch & Alison C. Preston, 2021. "The Evolving Wage Structure of Young Adults in Australia: 2001 to 2019," The Economic Record, The Economic Society of Australia, vol. 97(318), pages 365-386, September.
    5. Jefferson, T, 2012. "Private retirement savings in Australia: current policy initiatives and gender equity implications," Australian Bulletin of Labour, National Institute of Labour Studies, vol. 38(3), pages 234-250.
    6. Geoffrey Kingston & Susan Thorp, 2019. "Superannuation in Australia: A Survey of the Literature," The Economic Record, The Economic Society of Australia, vol. 95(308), pages 141-160, March.
    7. Umut Oguzoglu & Cain Polidano & Ha Vu, 2020. "Impacts from Delaying Access to Retirement Benefits on Welfare Receipt and Expenditure: Evidence from a Natural Experiment," The Economic Record, The Economic Society of Australia, vol. 96(312), pages 65-86, March.
    8. Therese Jefferson, 2009. "Women and Retirement Pensions: A Research Review," Feminist Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 15(4), pages 115-145.
    9. Therese Jefferson & Alison Preston, 2005. "Australia'S "Other" Gender Wage Gap: Baby Boomers And Compulsory Superannuation Accounts," Feminist Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 11(2), pages 79-101.
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    Cited by:

    1. Alison Preston, 2022. "Financial fragility, financial literacy and the early withdrawal of retirement savings during COVID-19," Australian Journal of Labour Economics (AJLE), Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre (BCEC), Curtin Business School, vol. 25(2), pages 127-147.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    gender; superannuation; pensions; wages; retirement;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G23 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Non-bank Financial Institutions; Financial Instruments; Institutional Investors
    • H55 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - Social Security and Public Pensions
    • I38 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - Government Programs; Provision and Effects of Welfare Programs

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