Women are still substantially behind men when it comes to their superannuation despite a lift in their retirement savings.

The findings were based on a report released yesterday by the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA).

Between June 2004 and June 2006, the report found that the average superannuation balance for women increased by 48.7 per cent compared with a 30.3 per cent increase for men.

The lift was attributed to the fact that women, especially older women, had substantially increased their voluntary contributions.

Although women have been building their savings, the report found that average balances were still low for women.

In 2006, the average balance for men was nearly double than that for women. Men held $69,050 compared with women who only had $35,520.

ASFA estimated that the average retirement payouts in early 2008 are likely to be $155,000 for men and $73,000 for women.

With 83 per cent of its members women, industry superannuation fund HESTA has implemented education programs to encourage its members to add to their superannuation.

"Women are naturally disadvantaged when it comes to their superannuation as many are in casual or have taken a break to raise children. We therefore try to educate them to maximise initiatives such as the co-contribution scheme, salary sacrifice or voluntary contribution measures," HESTA chief executive Anne-Marie Corboy told Investordaily.

The Government's transition to retirement provisions will also be a focus for the fund.

The fund's take up of such initiatives is "above the industry average", Corboy said.