{
  "id": 15946544,
  "title": "Underpaid super affects one in four workers, with billions never recovered",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/21/underpaid-super-affects-one-in-four-workers-with-billions-never",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-21T20:30:23.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ABC News AU",
    "slug": "abc-news-au",
    "url": "https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-10-22/australian-workers-criticise-ato-unpaid-superannuation-recovery/107288902"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) faces criticism for its handling of unpaid superannuation claims, with data revealing that one in four workers are underpaid. Despite this, the ATO recovers only 15 percent of the unpaid super, which totals approximately $6 billion annually. Workers like Pauline Devin and Angela Noack, who were shortchanged by their employers, have waited years for the ATO to recover the unpaid funds and remain frustrated by the lack of progress. The ATO has stated its commitment to ensuring employer compliance and is utilizing various tools, such as single touch payroll, to proactively identify unpaid super. However, industry experts argue that a more transparent and proactive approach is needed to support workers who are often left in limbo.",
  "summary": "One in four Australian workers have been underpaid their super — many, along with industry experts, are calling on the tax office to be more \"proactive\" in addressing the billions that goes unrecovered each year.",
  "key_points": [
    "One in four Australian workers are underpaid in superannuation.",
    "ATO recovers only 15% of $6 billion in unpaid super annually.",
    "Industry experts demand more transparent, proactive approach for workers."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}