“The government may be right in lifting the access age but perhaps the more pressing issue is to clearly define what we want and need from our retirement system now and well into the future,” Ms Westover said.

“We are a long way off having a fully mature superannuation system in which people have spent their entire working life with 12 per cent super guarantee,” she said.

Ms Westover said that the sustainability of the system “is a major issue” and that people’s expectations along with the role of the aged pension have changed.

“The burden on the public purse to support a growing number of retirees is becoming unsustainable,” she said.

“It’s definitely time to debate all the issues and to ensure that the government recognises the political imperative to take action.”