The Committee for Sustainable Retirement Incomes is an independent charity dedicated to ensuring Australia's retirement income system alleviates poverty in old age and maintains living standards through and into retirement.
The central concern for the CSRI is to ensure that the Australian retirement income system better meets the objectives of alleviating poverty in old age and maintaining living standards in and through retirement.
We operate within the central constraint of achieving these goals within the budget given the pressures from population ageing. Our work is guided by evidence, informed by expert analysis, and driven by the interests of the broader community — including future generations.
As an independent, non-partisan voice, we aim to encourage debate and better inform policy decisions that affect millions of Australians approaching and living in retirement.
"The emerging Australian retirement incomes system has many strengths, but it is still a long way short of maturity and of delivering on its promise to provide adequate, secure and sustainable retirement incomes for all."
Dr Michael Keating AC, ChairmanEnsuring the age pension and superannuation system provides adequate protection against poverty for all retirees.
Helping Australians maintain their pre-retirement standard of living through and into their retirement years.
Achieving retirement income objectives within responsible budgetary constraints as the population ages.
Representing the wider community interest, including the retirement security of younger and future generations.
Our work centres on the three interconnected pillars of Australia's retirement income system and the reforms needed to realise its full potential.
Australia has established a robust accumulation savings system but is yet to design the pensions phase. We advocate for Comprehensive Income Products in Retirement (CIPRs) that offer security through pooled risk management, delivering higher retirement incomes.
We examine how the mandatory contribution rate, voluntary savings, and the age pension interact to achieve income adequacy. We highlight the superannuation gender gap driven by employment and wage differences, and advocate for policies that address shortfalls for women and lower-income earners.
We analyse superannuation tax settings, pension means testing, and their interactions with post-retirement product design. Our research challenges existing benchmarks and explores how housing wealth can serve as the fourth pillar of retirement income security.
Evidence-based analysis of optimal mandatory contribution rates. Modelling suggests a 12% rate will deliver 60-70% net income replacement for median earners, with higher rates for those on lower incomes. We advocate for policy that balances savings with current living standards.
Analysis of how the assets test and taper rate interact with CIPRs and superannuation drawdown strategies. We identify perverse incentives where optimal responses to means testing contradict the goals of the retirement income system itself.
We highlight the home as a key retirement income asset and advocate for greater use of equity release products. For the asset-rich, income-poor elderly, housing wealth can supplement retirement income without jeopardising security of tenure or aged care access.
Australia's retirement income system is maturing. Getting the policy settings right affects millions of current and future retirees.
Currently relying on the retirement income system for their financial security and quality of life.
The superannuation pool continues to grow, making efficient drawdown policy critical for retirement outcomes.
Women retire with significantly less superannuation than men, driven by career interruptions and the pay gap.
Our committee brings together distinguished leaders in public policy, economics, and superannuation.
Former Secretary of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet. Leading authority on public policy and governance in Australia.
Founder of CSRI and driving force behind its establishment as an independent voice in retirement policy.
Experienced board director and governance professional with deep expertise in financial services and superannuation.
Distinguished economist and former Secretary of the Department of Employment, Education and Training.
Emeritus Professor of Finance with extensive contributions to financial economics and retirement policy.
Honorary Professor of Public Policy at ANU. Former Australian Public Service Commissioner and Secretary of multiple departments.
Our policy contributions span submissions, forums, and research aimed at reforming Australia's retirement income system.
Keynote addresses from David Murray AO, Assistant Treasurer Josh Frydenberg, Shadow Treasurer Chris Bowen, and ACOSS CEO Dr Cassandra Goldie.
Focused on converting superannuation balances into secure income streams, adequacy benchmarks, and sustainability of tax settings.
Challenged Treasury's view on superannuation tax expenditures, advocating for an expenditure tax benchmark aligned with international practice.
Revealed that optimal responses to new assets test rules would lead to rapid drawdown at 15% per year — contradicting CIPR design objectives.
Contributed to government consultation on the Retirement Income Covenant framework for superannuation funds.
The Committee for Sustainable Retirement Incomes Ltd is a registered Australian charity established to inject an independent, evidence-based voice into the national debate on retirement income policy.
Chaired by Dr Michael Keating AC, former Secretary of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, the CSRI brings together leading experts in economics, public policy, superannuation and financial services to advance reforms that deliver better outcomes for all Australians.
Our work is non-partisan and represents the broader community interest, including the interests of future generations who will inherit the retirement income system we shape today.
Whether you're a policymaker, industry stakeholder, researcher or concerned citizen, your voice matters in shaping Australia's retirement future.