Superannuation fund members nearing retirement need more targeted education programs, according to a UniSuper study presented at this week's 17th Australian Colloquium of Superannuation Researchers at the University of New South Wales.

The qualitative study by UniSuper marketing intelligence manager Rosalyn deVries revealed that research participants said that funds and employers should be more proactive in providing information, education and advice to members.

"It was very clear during the focus groups that research participants' level of financial literacy and interest differs greatly. Consequently, participants indicated a need for a broad range of support ranging from very basic education to sophisticated discussion of specific retirement issues," deVries said.

A number of participants said they would like more targeted sessions aimed at employee segments or financial sophistication.

UniSuper members wanted a format that provided more opportunity for interaction and discussion.

"Smaller sessions are better than big generalist groups because they can become useless for everyone. People with varying levels of understanding do not get the information they need from these," deVries said.

The study also found the global financial crisis had impacted members' decisions about the timing of retirement.

Some decided to postpone retirement, while others decided to work part-time for financial as well as personal reasons.

"For many work forms part of their identity, so it was important for them to keep working," deVries said.

However, overall the study revealed participants were not overly concerned by the economic downturn.

"The modifications to retirement expectations were more about working longer (which was a favourable outcome for most) or travelling on smaller budgets, than about having enough to eat," deVries said.