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The Impact of Children on Australian Women’s and Men’s Superannuation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 January 2023

Nick Parr ,
Shauna Ferris  and
Stéphane Mahuteau
Nick Parr
Affiliation:
Macquarie University
Shauna Ferris
Affiliation:
Macquarie University
Stéphane Mahuteau
Affiliation:
Macquarie University
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Abstract

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Using data from Wave 2 of the Household Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey, this article examines how superannuation savings by women and men vary according to the numbers of children they have. The results show that for women there is a clear inverse relationship between the value of superannuation and the number of their children. Moreover, this inverse relationship persists after controlling for an extensive range of variables which may affect both number of children and superannuation. The analysis also shows that level of education, migrant status, being an employer or self-employed, marital status, age and sex are significantly related to an individual’s level of superannuation. The implications of the results for Australia’s public debate and possible policy responses are discussed.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Economic and Labour Relations Review , Volume 18 , Issue 1 , November 2007 , pp. 3 - 26
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s) 2007

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