Super Alert – 17 April 2026: new ASIC tools for retirement planning, ATO and Ahpra guidance warning against predatory compassionate release practices

Welcome to the weekly KHQ Super Alert. This week ASIC launched a series of new tools and resources to help individuals plan for retirement. The ATO and Ahpra released guidance, warning against predatory compassionate release practices in the dental industry. Meanwhile, the Government responded to a Senate Committee report on changes to super tax concessions. 

ATO – ATO and Ahpra warn against predatory compassionate release practices

On 14 April 2026, the ATO and the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) released joint guidance warning individuals to exercise caution when considering applications for the compassionate release of superannuation to fund dental treatment.

The ATO and Ahpra expressed growing concern about ‘predatory’ practices by some health practitioners, who are allegedly encouraging Australians to access their superannuation early.  In their statement the organisations noted ‘[c]ompassionate release of superannuation is an important safety net to help fund necessary health care where people cannot otherwise afford it. It should only be considered as a last resort and only when it is really necessary’.

The ATO and Ahpra encouraged those applying to withdraw their super early on compassionate grounds to:

• explore other options for funding the treatment outside of accessing their super;
• understand the short and long-term impacts of accessing their super early, including the tax and government support accessibility impacts;
• be wary of practitioners requiring payment up front; and
• consider seeking an additional medical opinion or indication of treatment costs from another practitioner.

Click here for details.

ASIC – Launch of new retirement planning tools for individuals

On 13 April 2026, ASIC launched a range of new, freely accessible tools and resources to assist individuals to plan for their retirement. The launch of the tools on the Moneysmart website follows recent research which showed nearly half of Australians who are approaching retirement age are worried they could run out of money during their retirement.

Specifically, the research showed that:

• ‘48% of Australians (aged 50 to 66) are worried they will run out of money in retirement’;
• ‘nearly a third (32%) feel they are already behind in preparing for retirement’; and
• ‘only 18% have a clear retirement plan in place.’

The new resources include tools, calculators and guidance to support retirement planning.

Click here for details.

Parliament – Government responds to report on changes to superannuation tax concessions

On 9 April 2026, the Government released its response to recommendations made by the Senate Economics Legislation Committee in its final report relating to its inquiry into the Treasury Laws Amendment (Better Targeted Superannuation Concessions and Other Measures) Bill 2023 (Cth) and the related Superannuation (Better Targeted Superannuation Concessions) Imposition Bill 2023 (Cth).

In response to the report, the Government noted the Committee’s recommendation that the Bills be passed while also noting the dissenting report of the Coalition.

Click here for details.

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