Don’t Let Fake News Derail Your Super Strategy!
What if They Really Do Raise the Super Preservation Age?
You've probably seen the headlines—or the social media posts—claiming the government is about to increase the superannuation preservation age from 60 to 70. It spreads like wildfire, people panic, and suddenly super starts to feel like a locked box with a key you’ll never get.
Now to be clear: this latest round is fake news. But the fear it triggers? That’s very real. So, what if it did happen?
Would that make super less valuable?
Short answer: no. Super still plays a powerful role in your long-term wealth building thanks to its tax benefits and potential for compound growth. But this conversation highlights something important—diversification was always part of the plan.
Super is not your whole strategy. It’s one piece of the puzzle.
And whether you're planning to retire at 40 or 90, super still plays a part. Yes, you generally can’t start using it for income until 60+, but if you plan to live well beyond that, your financial strategy can (and should) be layered.
Here’s what that might look like:
40–50: Live off savings, business income, or investments in your own name
50–60: Property income, investment dividends, or part-time work
60+: Super kicks in, layered with other assets you've built along the way
It shouldn't be as black-and-white as many make it. Your finances are layered, so your approach should be too. Flexibility comes from building multiple levers you can pull at different stages of life.
So let’s talk about the rest of the puzzle:
Assets outside of super.
These might not be as tax-effective, but they serve another purpose—flexibility, choice, freedom. Because the goal isn’t just to pay less tax, it’s to build a life you actually want access to… before you’re 70.
Here are a few ways you can start diversifying today:
Build an investment portfolio in your own name or a family trust
Grow a side business that generates passive or scalable income
Own income-generating assets like property (outside of super)
Keep a healthy cash buffer or term deposit as your “opportunity fund”
When super rules change—or even just the fear of them changing comes up—it’s a reminder to check in with your bigger strategy.
Super is great. But so is having options.
Gemma
SHAMELESS PLUG!!
My New book The Money Reset can help you get your own finances on track and feel confident in your options: