A new survey has established an emerging reality that soon-to-be retiring Australians were clueless on most of the superannuation terms currently in use and may be ill-prepared for imminent retirement.

According to the latest Suncorp Life survey published on Monday, more than 30 percent of 228 retiring Australians polled grappled with terms such as 'transition to retirement', 'advice for retirees', 'God's waiting room' and 'transferring fees from one account to another'.

The survey was conducted on Aussies between the age of 50 and 64 and Suncorp Life executive general manager David Carter expressed alarm that with little knowledge on fundamental superannuation terms, most in the age bracket appeared disinterested with the mundane details of their retirement necessities.

The new data, according to Mr Carter, signals the need for the employment of plain English in superannuation forms in order for the average Australians to clearly understand the industry buzz words.

Mr Carter said that 'transition to retirement' is simply an option for those aged 55 and up to pay less tax on their superannuation earnings, which is only among the confusing terms that tend to puzzle more women respondents than men, according to the Suncorp survey.

About half of women queried for the survey expressed confusion on the industry jargons extensively being used in the superannuation industry while only as much as 47 percent of senior male respondents have admitted that they too were struggling with the retirement terms.

The superannuation industry currently accounts for more than $1.2 trillion in super funds and Mr Carter could only underscore the importance of retirement-age Australians fully-grasping the ins and outs of the retirement system.

He stressed that for many Australians, the super system represents their biggest retirement investment in a lifetime yet they "don't understand these important terms fundamental to enhancing financial outcomes."