Last year, the federal government allowed Australians in financial difficulty early access to their superannuation.  The controversial scheme closed from 1^st January this year however nearly 3 million people have taken a total of $36 billion out of their super accounts. This is the biggest and most sudden withdrawal of superannuation in Australia's history and will impact participants of the scheme in their retirement years as well as the economy. Read our Australian Taxation Office case study: Superannuation – why it’s important for every young Australian.