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Just Interested or Getting Involved? An Analysis of Superannuation Attitudes and Actions

Author

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  • Hazel Bateman
  • Jeanette Deetlefs
  • Loretti I. Dobrescu
  • Ben R. Newell
  • Andreas Ortmann
  • Susan Thorp

Abstract

type="main" xml:id="ecor12107-abs-0001"> Low levels of non-default decision-making among superannuation members in Australia are assumed to be evidence of a lack of interest and capability. Using member records and survey data from a large Australian superannuation fund, we test the relationship between attitudes towards retirement savings and observable levels of non-default activities (such as making voluntary contributions, choosing or changing investment options and changing insurance cover). Additional retirement savings contributions by permanent staff are more likely if the staff member is very likely to recommend their superannuation fund. Individuals who rate their own personal interest in superannuation affairs as very high are more likely to be active online. This, however, does not extend to choosing a non-default investment or purchasing additional insurance, where we find no differences between the highly interested and the disengaged. These findings, together with several other differences related to demographics and employment conditions, show that non-default activity is not a reliable proxy for member engagement.

Suggested Citation

  • Hazel Bateman & Jeanette Deetlefs & Loretti I. Dobrescu & Ben R. Newell & Andreas Ortmann & Susan Thorp, 2014. "Just Interested or Getting Involved? An Analysis of Superannuation Attitudes and Actions," The Economic Record, The Economic Society of Australia, vol. 90(289), pages 160-178, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:ecorec:v:90:y:2014:i:289:p:160-178
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1111/ecor.2014.90.issue-289
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Butt, Adam & Donald, M. Scott & Foster, F. Douglas & Thorp, Susan & Warren, Geoffrey J., 2018. "One size fits all? Tailoring retirement plan defaults," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 145(C), pages 546-566.
    2. John Watson & James Delaney & Michael Dempsey & J. Wickramanayake, 2016. "Australian superannuation (pension) fund product ratings and performance: A guide for fund managers," Australian Journal of Management, Australian School of Business, vol. 41(2), pages 189-211, May.
    3. Fong, Joelle H., 2020. "Taking control: Active investment choice in Singapore’s national defined contribution scheme," The Journal of the Economics of Ageing, Elsevier, vol. 17(C).
    4. Alison Preston & Robert E. Wright, 2023. "Gender, Financial Literacy and Pension Savings," The Economic Record, The Economic Society of Australia, vol. 99(324), pages 58-83, March.
    5. Peng, Xiaowen & Alpert, Karen & Hsu, Grace Chia-Man, 2020. "Switching between superannuation funds: Does performance and marketing matter?," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 63(C).
    6. Jennifer Alonso Garcia & Hazel Bateman & Johan Bonekamp & Ralph Stevens, 2017. "Retirement drawdown defaults: the role of implied endorsement," ULB Institutional Repository 2013/300025, ULB -- Universite Libre de Bruxelles.
    7. Adam Butt & M. Scott Donald & F. Douglas Foster & Susan Thorp & Geoffrey J. Warren & Tom Smith, 2017. "Design of MySuper default funds: influences and outcomes," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 57(1), pages 47-85, March.
    8. Lhaopadchan, Suntharee & Gerrans, Paul & Treepongkaruna, Sirimon, 2024. "Retirement savings behaviours and COVID-19: Evidence from Thailand," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 85(C).
    9. Jin Sug Yang & Anna Bedford & Martin Bugeja, 2023. "Director expertise and co‐option in industry superannuation funds?," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 63(S1), pages 1249-1283, April.
    10. Wei-Ting Pan, 2016. "The Impact of Mandatory Savings on Life Cycle Consumption and Portfolio Choice," PhD Thesis, Finance Discipline Group, UTS Business School, University of Technology, Sydney, number 32, July-Dece.
    11. Jennifer Alonso‐García & Hazel Bateman & Johan Bonekamp & Ralph Stevens, 2021. "Spending from Regulated Retirement Drawdowns: The Role of Implied Endorsement," Scandinavian Journal of Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 123(3), pages 810-847, July.
    12. 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.
    13. Tse, Alan & Friesen, Lana & Kalaycı, Kenan, 2016. "Complexity and asset legitimacy in retirement investment," Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics (formerly The Journal of Socio-Economics), Elsevier, vol. 60(C), pages 35-48.
    14. Wei-Ting Pan, 2016. "The Impact of Mandatory Savings on Life Cycle Consumption and Portfolio Choice," PhD Thesis, Finance Discipline Group, UTS Business School, University of Technology, Sydney, number 2-2016, January-A.
    15. Jun Feng, 2018. "Voluntary Retirement Savings: The Case of Australia," Journal of Family and Economic Issues, Springer, vol. 39(1), pages 2-18, March.
    16. Ron Bird & F. Douglas Foster & Jack Gray & Adrian M Raftery & Susan Thorp & Danny Yeung, 2018. "Who starts a self-managed superannuation fund and why?," Australian Journal of Management, Australian School of Business, vol. 43(3), pages 373-403, August.
    17. Susan Thorp & Ron Bird & F Douglas Foster & Jack Gray & Adrian Raftery & Danny CS Yeung, 2021. "Experiences of current and former members of self-managed superannuation funds," Australian Journal of Management, Australian School of Business, vol. 46(2), pages 304-325, May.

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