Industry
AustralianSuper calls out retail fund dividend payments
The government's proposed treatment of dividend payments by retail funds as "out of scope of the best-financial interests test" doesn't reflect the policy intent of the measure or members’ best financial interests in any sense, an AustralianSuper policy submission has noted.
Matthew SmithJanuary 21, 2021
Opinion
How the performance test could be tougher
The proposed performance benchmark understates performance when it comes to adjustments for withholding tax and benchmarking credit exposure with traditional fixed income indices, meaning that relative performance is overstated, David Bell writes.
David BellJanuary 21, 2021
CIO profiles
Climate top of mind for superannuants in 2021: Macri
The stage is set for a greater focus on climate this year, particularly in light of the election of US President Joe Biden and the control of the US Senate falling with the Democratic party, Australian Ethical's David Macri says.
Matthew SmithJanuary 20, 2021
Investment Strategy
Statewide’s Michalakis on staying ahead of the performance test
Having strong performance relative to the listed benchmark portfolio will be important for funds as the government’s new test begins, Con Michalakis says.
Matthew SmithJanuary 18, 2021
Governance
Visibility risk: Brand and marketing oversight to bite
Funds will need to think carefully about marketing and branding activities in light of the government's proposed best financial interest amendments which bans the use of member money for branding while adding oversight to marketing spending.
Matthew SmithJanuary 18, 2021
Investment Strategy
Myer Foundation ESG portfolio alignment 90pc complete
The Myer retail-turned-philanthropy family is actively choosing environmental, social and good governance investments to drive its performance, a process it began two years ago, Martyn Myer explains.
Meredith BoothJanuary 11, 2021
Investment Strategy
Dutch pension giant APG’s view on accelerated change
APG’s CIO Peter Branner explains how the pandemic has accelerated key trends already underway around digitisation, central bank policy and action to combat climate change. It all points to fierce competition for private assets .
Sarah RundellJanuary 11, 2021
Investment Strategy
Next level monetary policy to permeate everything in 2021: Bridgewater
Central Banks have move to a policy regime where fiscal stimulus is an even bigger lever with short-term interest rates in the US likely to will remain on hold at least through to 2023, Bridgewater's Rebecca Patterson has said.
Sarah RundellDecember 16, 2020
Policy and Regulation
Industry fund trustees to mull balance sheet creation
Whether new look profit-for-member trustees with balance sheets and new insurance arrangements leads to these funds attracting the same attention for civil penalties and remediation as for-profit funds remains to be seen.
Matthew SmithDecember 14, 2020
Policy and Regulation
Screws tighten on trustees to justify rising insurance premiums
The recently announced duty to act in members’ best financial interests increases the likelihood that trustees will come under pressure to justify rising insurance premiums, particularly in respect of MySuper members who hold default coverage.
Richard WebbDecember 9, 2020
Policy and Regulation
David Atkin implores industry to front-foot transparency demands
After 12 years at Cbus, former CEO David Atkin is focussed on nudging the business world away from short-termism towards the wholistic, long-term investment timeframes of superannuation funds.
Ben HurleyDecember 7, 2020
Governance
UNSW Sandbox Program highlights challenges of providing quality, scalable guidance
UNSW students have highlighted the tension between tailoring information to be more relevant with the desire for such information to be accessible at a low cost as part of a 'sandbox challenge' that has yielded some illuminating results.
David BellJanuary 18, 2021
Governance
Sustainability, governance and financial performance get in lockstep
FTSE Russell's Helena Fung talks about how climate change and pandemic factors have brought ESG investments into the spotlight this year in an extended interview.
Meredith BoothDecember 16, 2020
Governance
No time to rest after climate risk test
The settlement of a recent case brought by a member of Rest Super Fund against the trustee is an important reminder of the importance for long term fiduciary investors to pay attention to climate and other ESG related risks to investments.
Jonathan SteffanoniDecember 7, 2020
Leadership
Chasing scale at Cbus a priority for new CEO
Former Blackrock and Victorian Funds Management Corporation executive Justin Arter says he wants Cbus to sit among the largest funds in Australia.
Ben HurleyJanuary 13, 2021
Leadership
Top podcast interviews from 2020
In its first year, Investment Magazine's Market Narratives podcast series have traversed some of the most pressing issues facing heads of investment teams, asset class specialists, influential consultants and those at the helm of the country's largest superannuation schemes.
Staff WriterDecember 16, 2020
Leadership
Top event moments in 2020
Investment Magazine's top ten event moments in 2020, ranked according to the number of views, reflect a year where change, adaption and resilience were common threads of every conversation.
Staff WriterDecember 16, 2020
Insurance
AIA Australia’s Mu voices support for stapling reforms
It’s time to take the opportunity to think differently about insurance in superannuation, AIA Australia chief executive Damien Mu has said.
Matthew SmithNovember 20, 2020
Insurance
Micro reforms have created confusion: expert panel
Three super and insurance industry experts say the “brave new world” of super - post budget, productivity and royal commissions - has resulted in some residual confusion.
Meredith BoothNovember 15, 2020
Insurance
Experts see a hybrid future for city and home-office workers
The pandemic is expected to leave permanent change in office styles and locations as many employers keep some aspects of home office work established during the pandemic, a Group Insurance Summit panel says.
Meredith BoothNovember 15, 2020
Retirement
Simplicity and confidence key to retirement puzzle: Challenger
Finding better retirement solutions will require more than just ‘age and balance’ metrics, but the industry will need to keep things simple to retain members’ faith and their confidence to spend, according to Challenger’s Aaron Minney.
Tahn SharpeNovember 2, 2020
ArticleRetirement
Moral outrage at super system ‘justified’: Daley
The former Grattan Institute CEO isn’t pulling any punches in his assessment of the “sharp knife” that is our super system. The “20 to 30” billion dollars it costs to run our retirement savings each year may be terrific for people working in the industry, he says, but not for the rest of the country.
Tahn SharpeJuly 22, 2020
Retirement
Pension Loan Scheme provides a comfortable retirement
Most Australians believe they are ineligible but changes to a Government loan scheme may augment retirement income for many, says Rice Warner chief Andrew Boal.
Meredith BoothJune 24, 2020
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Redefining Leadership – Jon Owen
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February 18, 2021
Exploring Big Ideas – David Knox
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In this episode we talk with David Knox, senior partner, Mercer.