Brighter Super to deliver new lifetime innovative retirement income solution to help members build income for life before retirement
7 August 2026
Brighter Super has announced plans to deliver a new lifetime innovative retirement income solution providing income for life which is designed to enable eligible members to begin building future lifetime income benefits while they are still working.
The announcement marks a significant step in Brighter Super’s strategy to improve retirement outcomes. Brighter Super is also the first member-owned fund to announce the development of this style of product, that enables eligible members still in the accumulation phase to begin building future potential Age Pension benefits while still enabling choice as to how their super is invested.
Australia's superannuation system has been highly successful in helping people accumulate retirement savings, but many Australians remain uncertain about how to convert those savings into a reliable income that lasts throughout retirement.
The new solution is designed to help address this challenge by allowing eligible members to begin building future lifetime income benefits during their working years, with greater income certainty and longevity in their retirement years. Together, these features will help them feel more confident about their financial future in retirement.
By beginning to accrue these benefits during the accumulation phase, members may be able to increase their overall retirement income, potentially improve their Age Pension outcomes depending on their individual circumstances, and gain greater flexibility and choice in how they structure their income in retirement.
Brighter Super’s modelling suggests members could receive additional income of between $70,000 and $95,000 on average over 25 years of retirement1.
Brighter Super Chief Executive Officer Kate Farrar said the announcement reflected the fund's commitment to helping members achieve better retirement outcomes.
"Australians have become very good at building super balances. The next challenge for our industry is helping people turn those balances into an income that provides confidence throughout retirement."
"Bringing this approach to the member-owned sector is an important step. Rather than waiting until retirement to start thinking about lifetime income, we're helping members begin preparing and maximising future retirement income outcomes while they're still working."
The initiative builds on Brighter Super’s growing retirement offering, which was recently recognised with the Epic Retirement Tick2. The new solution will further strengthen the fund’s support for members as they move from accumulating super to using their super to provide an income in retirement.
Brighter Super will develop the solution in partnership with leading life insurer TAL, who will provide the lifetime income guarantee underpinning the retirement solution.
Jenny Oliver, Chief Executive, Group Life & Retirement at TAL, said the partnership reflected a shared commitment to improving retirement outcomes for Australians.
“We’re focused on helping more Australians have a confident retirement. TAL is proud to partner with Brighter Super on this lifetime income solution, because we’re passionate about helping more people plan for retirement and enjoy access to savings that can last for life.”
The solution will be introduced progressively, with the accumulation feature expected to become available to eligible members in the first half of 2027 and the guaranteed lifetime income option in 2028.
Together, the two components are intended to provide members with a connected pathway - from building retirement savings and future income benefits while they work to receiving a guaranteed income for life in retirement. Further details, including eligibility and how the accumulation feature will operate, will be announced as the delivery progresses.
1 Illustrative modelling supported by WTW at 26 June 2026. Using representative Brighter Super member cohorts aged 24 to 59, with balances of approximately $27,000 to $293,000 and salaries of $72,000 to $117,000. It assumes a 20% lifetime income / 80% account-based pension allocation, an overall 73.5% growth / 26.5% defensive asset mix. Key assumptions include 7.23% p.a. long term return, 2.48% p.a. inflation and 3.68% p.a. wage growth. Modelling is illustrative only and is not financial advice or a guarantee of future outcomes.
2 The Zenith CW Pty Ltd ABN 20 639 121 403 AFSL 226872/AFS Rep No. 1280401 (Chant West) Epic Retirement Tick issued 2 October 2025 is solely a statement of opinion and not a recommendation in relation to making any investment decisions. The Tick is current for 12 months and subject to change at any time without notice. Ticks from previous years are for historical purposes only. Liability is not accepted, whether direct or indirect, from use of the Tick. Full details on the Tick at www.chantwest.com.au/solutions/epic-retirement-tick/.
Brighter Super Trustee (ABN 94 085 088 484 AFS Licence No. 230511) (“Trustee”) as trustee for Brighter Super (ABN 23 053 121 564) (“Fund”). Brighter Super may refer to the Trustee or the Fund as the context may be. Brighter Super products are issued by the Trustee on behalf of the Fund. This media release provides general information only and does not take into account your individual objectives, financial situation or needs. You should consider whether it is appropriate for your needs prior to making any decisions and consult a licensed financial adviser if you require advice. Obtain and consider the Product Disclosure Statement and Target Market Determination before making any decision to acquire any products. Visit https://www.brightersuper.com.au/pds-and-guides. Past performance is not an indicator of future performance.
