How superannuation tax concessions help the rich get richer

featuring Greg Jericho and Ebony Bennett
Australian Treasurer Jim Chalmers speaks to the media during a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra, Tuesday, February 28, 2023.
AAP Image/Lukas Coch

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Super tax concessions make inequality worse and are at risk of becoming more expensive than the aged pension.

Superannuation tax concessions are meant to encourage saving for retirement, but the system is being gamed to help the wealthiest avoid paying tax. Australia Institute Chief Economist Greg Jericho joins Ebony Bennett on this episode of Follow the Money to bust some super myths and discuss what a fairer system should look like.

This discussion was recorded on Tuesday 30 July 2024 and things may have changed since recording.

Guest: Greg Jericho, Chief Economist, the Australia Institute // @GrogsGamut

Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // @ebony_bennett

Show notes:

‘Who benefits? The high cost of super tax concessions’ by Minh Ngoc Le (June 2024)

‘Superannuation tax concessions are making inequality worse’ by Greg Jericho (July 2024)

Theme music: Pulse and Thrum; additional music by Blue Dot Sessions

You can see Professor Joseph E Stiglitz speak live in several cities across Australia as part of the Australia Institute’s 30th anniversary celebrations. Tickets are available via our website.

We’d love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au.

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