The government has announced that it will extend the drawdown relief presently given to superannuation pensions that are account-based to the fiscal year 2010-2011.

Under current laws, retirees who are self funded are required to pay a minimum fee at least once per year from their superannuation account-sourced pension, based on their balance and age.

The ruling is designed so pensioners' superannuation capital is drawn down, which benefits from sizeable tax concessions, over the course of their retirement.

Since the fiscal year 2008-09, self funded pensioners have been entailed to only draw down fifty per cent of the minimum yearly pension fee, and that relief is now extended for another whole year.

Key industry players are happy about the announcement.

"We're really not quite sure what's in store for us in the year ahead. This announcement will give many seniors peace of mind in the coming months," said CEO Michael O'Neill, of National Seniors Australia.

Pauline Vamos, the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia's CEO, said the relief will be beneficial to pensioners with low balances.

"This is an important initiative as there is still ongoing volatility in investment markets. Fund members need more time to allow their account balances to recover," says Ms. Vamos.

However, Small Independent Superannuation Funds Association's chair, Michael Lorimer, suggested that the government better make the change "permanent".

"Our members work with self funded retirees everyday and see the pressure that they are under with the fall in the capital base of their superannuation after the GFC," said Mr. Lorimer.

"SISFA calls on the Government to make these lower drawdown levels permanent. A 'temporary' respite in drawdown levels will not be enough to allow many 65-80 year olds to fund the lifestyle that they had planned when they retired."