S C O A

The Superannuated Commonwealth Officers’ Association (SCOA) is a not-for-profit volunteer organisation which advocates for retired public servants in a wide range of policy areas, including superannuation, taxation, health and seniors’ concessions.
 

Pension Indexation Review: Flawed and Inadequate

SCOA has found the Matthews Review of Pension Indexation to be inadequate; failing to meet the expectations created by the ALP in the lead up to the 2007 Election. It has also found several of its arguments made in support of maintaining CPI as the sole basis for adjusting the superannuation pensions of retired Commonwealth public servants to be flawed. SCOA's detailed analysis can be downloaded below.

SCOA has written to Minister Tanner, asking the Government to:

  • Review its endorsement of the Matthews Report;
  • Request the Government Actuary to generate the estimated annual costs of implementing the same percentage indexation as the Age Pension; and to
  • Introduce a fair indexation method that maintains the purchasing power of all Commonwealth superannuation pensions.
Letter to Minister Tanner, in response to Government's endorsement of the Matthews Review findings (30 October 2009) (PDF/100kb)
 
SCOA' detailed analysis of the Matthews Review (October 09) (PDF/3.34MB)
 
Government's Endorsement of Matthews Review (Minister for Finance & Deregulation Media Release 21 August 2009) http://www.financeminister.gov.au/media/2009/mr_522009.html
 
Matthews Review of Pension Indexation Arrangements (Dec 08) (PDF762kb)
 

Public Meeting: Commonwealth Superannuation Pension Indexation

All current and future Commonwealth superannuants and other interested persons are invited to attend a public meeting to hear Government and Opposition responses to the Matthews Review of Pension Indexation Arrangements in Australian Government Civilian and Military Superannuation Schemes.

Speakers will include ACT Senators Kate Lundy and Gary Humphries. SCOA and DFWA (Defence Force Welfare Association) personnel will present their reactions to the Matthews Report, and discuss future campaign action.

TIME: 11.30am, Monday 9 November 2009
VENUE: Ainslie Football Club, 52 Wakefield Avenue, Ainslie ACT 2602

 

Federal Budget Analysis
Positives from Budget night include a back down on earlier moves to include superannuation income from taxed funds in the eligibility test for the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card, and an extension to drawdown relief for account based pensions.
 
Federal budget implications for members (PDF/111kb)
 
 

DISCLAIMER:
This Website is operated for the information of members of SCOA. It is prepared with care, in good faith and from sources believed to be accurate. However, readers should not act, or should refrain from acting, solely on the basis of information on this site about financial, taxation, health or any other matter. Having regard for their own particular circumstances, readers should consult relevant authorities or other advisers with expertise in the particular field. Neither SCOA nor the operator of the Web site accepts any responsibility for actions taken by readers of the site. SCOA does not give investment advice or recommend financial products or planners.