Superannuation Legislation Amendment (Tackling the Gender Super Gap) Bill 2025; Second Reading

Summary

Australian couples with superannuation will now be able to voluntarily transfer money between their retirement accounts each year to even out their balances, with the higher-earning spouse able to top up their partner's account up to the legal transfer limit. The changes amend the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993, the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Regulations 1994, and the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 to allow this new transfer mechanism without triggering additional taxes. This addresses the gender super gap — the fact that women retire with 20-25% less superannuation than men, primarily because they're more likely to take time out of paid work for caring responsibilities — by giving couples a tool to share their retirement savings fairly during their working years rather than waiting until divorce proceedings.

What happens at this stage

The main debate on whether the chamber supports the broad purpose of the bill. Members speak to its overall merits and concerns rather than the fine print. The government outlines its policy intentions; the opposition and crossbench put their case. This is the stage that determines whether the bill proceeds at all.

Next: Consideration in Detail (House) or Committee of the Whole (Senate), where the bill is examined clause by clause