The recent bushfires in Victoria and flooding in Queensland have shocked Australians and have made headlines all around the world.
As those affected grapple with the challenge of putting their lives back together, industry and government have banded together to ease the suffering of victims and perhaps make the road to recovery a smoother one.
Last week, Superannuation Minister Nick Sherry urged the superannuation industry to give priority to bushfire-related insurance claims and allow people to seek early access to their superannuation on compassionate grounds as per existing rules.
Superannuation industry bodies have roundly supported Sherry's proposals.
"The Australian Institute of Superannuation Trustees (AIST) supports any move that expedites the process by which bushfire victims who have lost their homes or find themselves in financial hardship can access some or all of their superannuation," AIST chief executive Fiona Reynolds said.
However, some experts have raised questions about whether early access to superannuation in times of crisis is the best solution.
Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA) chief executive Pauline Vamos said it was important people were aware of other options.
"Practically every employee in Australia is a member of a superannuation fund and most fund members have insurance cover for death or total and permanent disability. Many Australians also have insurance cover through their super for salary continuance or temporary and total disablement," Vamos said.
She also urged Australians to remember that even during crises, superannuation was still primarily about the long term and the funding of retirement.
"The law allows release on such grounds in only very limited circumstances, such as funeral expenses or medical and travel expenses for treatments that are not available through the public health system," Vamos said.
Regardless of this, ASFA and the Investment and Financial Services Association released statements with advice for super members on how they could expedite the claims process.
So it seems that while superannuation should always be viewed as a vehicle for retirement savings, it does have a role to play in assisting Australians during times of crisis.
