Women and super
Maximise your super and retirement confidence.
Australian women retire with less super.1 At CSC we’re here to help you take control of your financial future, with simple steps to maximise your super and retirement confidence.
We’re working with you to make super knowledge accessible and retirement planning holistic. See the steps you can take today—consolidating accounts, choosing your investment option, or making voluntary contributions—to confidently organise your financial future. Together we’ll work towards better retirement outcomes for all.What is the gender super gap?
The gender super gap is the difference between women’s and men’s retirement savings. Right now, women aged 60–64 retire with 25% less super—that’s a gap of $53,190.
Why does this happen? One key factor is the gender pay gap—but by taking action early, you can boost your financial future.
What is the gender pay gap?
It’s the difference in women’s and men’s overall earnings. In Australia, the national gender pay gap, based on full-time average weekly earnings, is 12% or $238 per week.
Women would need to work an additional 44 days a year to earn the same as men.1
Women are more likely than men to experience a combination of:
- work breaks or early retirement due to caregiving (e.g. young families, ageing parents);
- part-time employment; and
- lower paid employment.
What does this mean for women’s super?
Women are more likely to take career breaks or work part-time—meaning less income and fewer super contributions. If super isn’t designed to reflect these realities, the gap continues to grow.
But the good news? With the right strategies, you can take charge of your super and make the system work for you.
My future, my retirement savings
"Time in the workforce and therefore one’s retirement age matters. All women should get to know their time horizon; understand how their super fits into their overall financial situation, which includes whether or not they own or rent their home; their partnership status; other investments they have; and to be clear on their retirement goals."
Alison Tarditi
CSC Chief Investment Officer
Steps to super success for women
No matter where you are in your career, small actions today can have a big impact on your future super balance. Here’s how to start taking control.
Financial literacy is more than just money lessons
Your ability to make smart decisions about earning, spending, saving, borrowing and protecting your money will give you financial power to set the wellbeing of your financial future.
Take a look at our suite of tools and resources. These are basic steps designed to improve your personal finances through learning and practising.
Super is more than just savings for retirement
We’re here to show you that you have the power to make the savings you do have, work harder. Use the benefits of our retirement system to your advantage. These are quick and easy actions that will improve your retirement outcomes —they’ll only take a few minutes.
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Choose your investment option
Is your super in the right investment option for you? Our investment options are designed to fit your financial goals and risk preferences so you can choose which investment option is best for you. Check it and decide if you need to make a switch.
CSC Chief Investment Officer, Alison Tarditi, has this to say:
“Right now, only 15% of women in the public sector actively choose their investment option—compared to 27% of men. By making an informed choice, you can take charge of your future.”
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Contribute more
Every contribution counts, no matter how small. By contributing additional savings to super above what is compulsory, you can make the power of compounding interest work for you. Consider making voluntary contributions, salary sacrificing or micro-investing.
According to CSC Chief Investment Officer, Alison Tarditi:
“This is particularly powerful if additional contributions are made in the first 10 years of your working life. For a woman on the average female income in Australia, the impact from contributing an extra 5% of salary to super over the first 10 years of employment, assuming an average investment return of 6% per annum, can be up to an extra $440,000 by retirement at age 65.”
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Check your account
Get friendly with your super account—these are your retirement savings. Check your balance, check your employer and voluntary contributions, and check your insurance cover. Use your Annual Statement as your reminder to log in to the CSC Navigator and view your account.
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Find and combine your super
You might have more than one super account. Multiple accounts can result in multiple fees and charges. It’s easy to find lost super and consolidate your accounts—you run the check, and we’ll take care of the process.
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Review your insurance
Life changes so make sure your insurance changes as your circumstances evolve. Consider if your cover is right for your needs; you don’t want to overpay for cover you no longer need.
Upcoming events
Public Sector Women in Leadership Summit, 18–19 February
An incredible 2-day Women in Leadership Summit, 18–19 February. Listen to public sector trailblazers such as the Rt Hon Jacinda Ahern, the Hon Julie Bishop, Professor Marcia Langton AO, and Emma McKeon AM.
Visit our booth and discover how CSC can be your trusted and active retirement partner.
Register now
Building resilience, 26 March 12-1 pm AEDT
Looking for ways to avoid burn-out and improve your work and wellbeing outcomes?
Don’t miss our next live webinar. Building resilience, Wednesday 26 March, 12–1 pm AEDT.
Accelerate your know-how
Not sure where to start? Speak with our Financial Planning services to find out which offering is right for you—comprehensive advice or simple advice.
Financial planning optionsCalculators fit for you
Want to know how much is enough? Need to see how your super stacks up against your peers? It’s easy and it only takes a few minutes! Pick from our clever suite of calculators.
Tools and calculators