Six Ways Your Super Can Help Make the World a Better Place

This post is presented in partnership with Zuper.

When it comes to making the world a better place, most people would jump to put their hands up, but few really know where to start.

Well, what if we told you that you could do a lot by doing only a little? Sounds like the dream, right? Well, it all begins with your 'super'. 

Wait, what's 'super'?

Superannuation, as we know it in Australia today, was introduced in 1992 under the Keating Labor Government to address the ageing population. It requires employers to put a minimum percentage (now, 9.5 per cent) of your pay each payslip into a fund (think of it as a nest or a basket) that you can access when you're much older.

That might feel like a lifetime away (and it literally is), but super is important because, when you retire, you'll need to have some serious cash dollars to do all those crazy things that retirees do.

To get a sense of how much superannuation your employer is contributing on your behalf each year, there are approximate calculators out there. For instance, if you're making around $20,000 a year, you'll almost get $2,000 a year in your super. Making $40,000? You'll get a bit less than $4,000, and so on.

You can also figure out approximately how much you'll have when you retire. If that figure's low, you'll probably need to start being a bit more conscious about your super.

Got it. Now, how can my super help the world?

There are many super companies that manage these sums of retirement money. By 'manage', we mean they invest in things like stocks in a multinational company and property developments, to try and grow that money even more before you eventually cash out. However, some funds invest in unethical things like tobacco, land mines and chemical weaponry. And remember, that's your money being invested.

While a lot of these super companies give you some control over your super nest, a lot of what is being done with your money remains a bit of mystery (including the companies you're actually investing in). The company Zuper, however, believes in giving you more control, showing where your money is going and how it is helping people and animals around the world. It's regular super with a more transparent and ethical twist.

We've highlighted six ways your super contributions can help save the world, through some of the organisations Zuper invests in.

1. SAP teaches life skills to refugees.

Providing aid initiatives is important for refugees around the world and SAP, a German-based software corporation, has recognised this by contributing more than $US1 million in 2015. The company’s donations support refugees in three key areas: humanitarian aid, teaching refugees German and educating them in computer coding.

If you've always wanted to help out refugees around the world in some way, this minor contribution from your super could go a long way.

2. Yoox is fighting against fur in clothing.

Wearing real fur is a huge no-no if you're trying to look out for the world and, more specifically, animals. That's why it was a big deal in 2017 when Italian fashion retailer Yoox (which owns Net-a-Porter) decided not to sell real fur anymore through its e-commerce platforms. The move was a big win for animal conservationists and even bigger for global sustainability.

3. Ecolab's providing clean drinking water.

While about 71 per cent of the Earth's surface is water, much of the world is without access to clean and safe drinking water. Ecolab is working to fix this issue by providing solutions to protect and maintain clean water sources.

They recently acquired Cascade Water Services, a water treatment and environmental company, which will certainly help them with their cause.

4. Johnson & Johnson is doing their bit to help cure HIV and Alzheimer's.

Some of the worst diseases, like Alzheimer's and HIV, still do not have a cure and contribute to mounting health costs around the world. Luckily, Johnson & Johnson (J&J) is among the companies investing in new research to tackle these issues. For instance, J&J has invested in artificial intelligence that can detect the early signs of Alzheimer's, saliva tests that could identify throat cancer and microbiomes that could fix sleep disorders.

5. Sonova supports females in leadership.

Sonova, a hearing care solutions company based in Switzerland, reported that 38.8 per cent of their leadership positions were filled by women in 2014/5. Just two years later, they had increased this figure to 46 per cent and noted that there had been a 1.4 per cent decrease in employee turnover. Pretty compelling.

Who run (46 per cent of) the world? Women.

6. Smith & Nephew is looking after landmine victims.

Besides treating their employees like royalty with a generous volunteer program, Smith & Nephew employees have worked to help those less fortunate than themselves. In 2016, 500 employees worked on creating 125 prosthetic limbs for landmine victims. The best part? They were given free-of-charge.

Bonus: Want to be partly responsible for the next GLOW or Stranger Things? Choose Netflix.

Okay, maybe this one's a slightly selfish investment but it's still important to treat yourself. Zuper invests in Netflix Originals, which means you'll be helping scriptwriters and directors get their shows produced. Who knows? Maybe your super can help fund the next Orange Is the New Black. You'll just have to find out.

Do you know where all your super is? Or what it’s invested in? With the Zuper app everything is visible and controlled by you. Check balances, payments, and other cool stuff in real time, anytime. Find out more at zuper.com.au

Header Image: NBC