Submission – Productivity Commission review of philanthropy

SMC does not support changes that would allow superannuation fund members to nominate charities as beneficiaries in a superannuation death benefit.  The policy reasons for this include misalignment with the purpose of superannuation, equity issues and cost. 

The estimate of the value of death benefits from super is likely to be overstated because the balance at retirement is not what is available to fund retirement once debts are paid off.