Superannuation

Let couples shift super between partners to even out their balances — back it or block it?

This private senator's bill from the Coalition's Senator Hume would let one member of a couple transfer part of their superannuation to their partner's account so the two balances are more even. Backers say it helps women and carers who took time out of paid work and ended up with far less super than their partner — for example, someone with $300,000 could move $75,000 to a partner with $150,000 so both hold $225,000. Labor argued it mainly helps a small number of wealthy couples cut their tax, and pointed to its own changes like paying super on government paid parental leave. After about an hour of debate the Senate voted it down 34 to 27.