In what is believed to be an Australian first, female staff at Rice Warner Actuaries will be paid a higher rate of superannuation than their male colleagues, a move the company says will stem the burgeoning gap in retirement savings.

After consultation with the Australian Human Rights Commission, Rice Warner will on Wednesday launch measures to help its female staff retire with bigger nest-eggs - including by paying them an extra 2 per cent superannuation, granting 18 weeks' parental leave at full pay, and paying full super during parental leave, including unpaid leave, for up to 12 months.

Elizabeth Broderick: Systemic reform needed to boost women's retirement savings. Credit:Glen McCurtayne

The Human Rights Commission has examined the plan and considers it a ''special measure'' designed to redress gender inequality, and therefore allowed under the Sex Discrimination Act.

It follows warnings by Sex Discrimination Commissioner Elizabeth Broderick and others that many women will face a drastic shortfall in savings in their later years.