Many of the self-employed are truly left out in the cold when it comes to super.

The Pre-Budget Submission for the 2011-12 Budget (http://www.superannuation.asn.au/Submissions/default.aspx) from the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA) starkly depicts the plight of the majority of the self-employed in regard to super.

Certainly, the self-employed number largely among SMSF members - many undoubtedly with large balances. However, ASFA is realistic about the broad lack of retirement savings among those who operate their own businesses.

Its submission calls for the introduction of compulsory super contributions for the self-employed, beginning in 2012-13 at 1 per cent of their taxable incomes and rising to 9 per cent in 2020-21.

"One argument that has been put forward against introducing compulsory superannuation contributions for the self-employed is that there are self-employed who consider the value of their business to be their retirement savings," the submission comments.

"However, this is only likely to apply to a minority of the self-employed," ASFA adds, "as for most self-employed, their value of their business is largely dependent on their continued ability to be personally involved."

The submission suggests that for those whose business has a large sale value - qualifying them for small business CGT concessions on its sale - they could opt-out of making compulsory super contributions by making a declaration on their individual tax returns.

Just think about these points made in ASFA'S submission:

• More than a quarter of the self-employed have no super, rising to almost a third for self-employed women.
• More than half of the self-employed with super have very low balances and just 18 per cent have balances over $100,000 on the eve of retirement.

Regardless of whether ASFA's submission is successful at this stage, it sends the clear message about the need for the self-employed to pay attention to their future beyond work.