However, while the little luxuries in life help alleviate the burden of hard times, women in particular look set to face difficulties when they retire.

It is an issue that has often come under the spotlight. Recently the topic came to light in a submission by Rice Warner to the Henry tax review.

Women are already on the backfoot when it comes to saving for retirement; women earn less than men and yet live longer than men.

"Superannuation contributions therefore need to be higher to obtain similar levels of retirement benefits," Rice Warner director Michael Rice said.

With time out of the workforce and extended periods of part-time work, women opting for motherhood are under further pressure to maintain an adequate level of retirement savings.

In its submission, Rice Warner called on the government to look at super for mothers.

The actuarial firm recommended young women pay an extra 3 per cent of their salary into superannuation.

In times of low incomes, they could make use of the co-contribution; if they earned above the average income, they could swap to salary sacrifice, the submission said.

"This simple device can increase their retirement income by more than 30 per cent," Rice said.

With 85 per cent of its membership female, the issue of women and super has always been a key priority for industry fund HESTA.

The fund has taken practical steps to ensure such an issue is raised among its members.

"We do have high participation rates when it comes to members engaging with their superannuation," HESTA marketing strategy executive manager Kate Andrews said.

The fund's successful marketing campaigns include encouraging its members to take advantage of the co-contribution scheme as well as salary sacrificing.

A significant number of members have taken up the initiatives, proving that where possible women are eager to take control of their retirement.

The government, however, still had an important role to play, Andrews said.

"There is not enough done for women in superannuation. When it comes to super balances there is till a huge chasm between men and women," she said.