This report examines how the rules embedded in the tax and transfer system, especially in relation to the age pension, may impact on household choices.

Executive summary Housing affordability is a significant issue for low income households in receipt of social security payments. The social security system recognises the additional financial challenges that non-homeowners face in two ways: – providing Commonwealth Rent Assistance (CRA) to assist with the cost of rent for those social security recipients in the private rental...

This report examines the adequacy of the Age Pension both qualitatively, through focus groups and town meetings, and quantitatively, through analysis of social survey data. Methodology included quantitative analysis provided by the HILDA (Household Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia) survey which included 9,000 households and 25,000 individuals. This was complemented by qualitative research using...

This paper looks at whether the share of income going to older Australians in the form of the pension is increasing, and examines the state of Australia’s generational bargain; asking is it fair and is it sustainable? Overview There has been a marked growth in pension cost and cohort. The percentage of people of retirement...

So-called variable annuity products which provide certain guaranteed minimum benefits are popular in the United States and Europe but are only in their infancy in Australia. We consider hybrid products with minimum withdrawal rates guaranteed for a fixed term or for life and the financial derivatives embedded in them. A capital markets style model can...