With women predicted to live to the average age of 95, Susan Ryan AO, Age Discrimination Commissioner spoke with super funds yesterday about the role they can play to protect ageing Australians.

Speaking at Women in Super event, Ryan said superannuation plays a part for retired Australians but that it should be "playing a bigger role and should become a stronger element of older women's security then it does today."

Quoting data on older women's current income status, Ryan said that while economic autonomy has increase over the last 20 years there are still glaring gaps in the system.

"Today women still lag behind in income, and this disparity continues through the lifecycle."

"For ages 65 and older, the mean weekly earnings for men is $1,024 and for women it is $669."

Ryan said superannuation funds should step up in their services in financial adequacy, including offering insurance cover for older working Australians that is available in limited supply today.

"Super companies should look specifically at income insurance because as we know they buy the insurance wholesale from the insurer, and it is a negotiation as to how much premiums cost and whether they will buy for workers aged over 65."

Ryan also advocated the push for greater member engagement, urging super funds to target their female members who can be more disengaged from planning their financial future.

"More women don't give enough thought to their age, their super balance and their financial future and I think the super funds are well placed to advise them. A communications strategy that reaches these women would be ideal."

Ryan further encouraged all women to take up financial advice available through their super fund.

"Get the advice, knowing how to look after your own super is one of the keys to prepare for retirement."