Industry
Merger trend could see only 20 funds still standing in five years: Fairley
Rising pressure on underperforming funds could see only a handful remaining in the near future, as the trend of consolidation gathers pace, experts say.
Ben HurleyJuly 23, 2021
Investment Strategy
This time it’s different, members probably can expect continuing good returns: Bracks
The differences between the Covid-lead downturn and the global financial crisis are significant according to Cbus Super chair Steve Bracks, this time we haven’t seen the same depths and there are new unique opportunities, not least in the ESG space.
Stewart HawkinsJuly 23, 2021
Leadership
Fiona Reynolds joins Conexus as CEO
As the Australian superannuation market further professionalises, Conexus's new CEO will be able to bring her global view to the domestic landscape and contribute to super funds and providers developing global best practices.
Amanda WhiteJuly 21, 2021
Infrastructure
New infrastructure valuation tools address the risks of inequitable switching
Risk and performance measurement for illiquid assets like infrastructure is a fast-evolving area, as funds balance the long-term nature of these assets with portability and members’ liquidity needs.
Ben HurleyJuly 20, 2021
Opinion
Retirement Income Covenant – where does a trustee start?
Matching members with the right solutions, garnering appropriate member information within the existing legal and regulatory frameworks and through-lifecycle engagement are among the biggest challenges facing trustees as the Retirement Income Covenant lands, experts have said.
David BellJuly 19, 2021
Investment Strategy
Cbus positions itself for more, easier mergers
Cbus super is expanding its investment options to be in line with about 95 per cent of the available options in the market, making the fund’s next merger easier according to CIO Kristian Fok.
Amanda WhiteJuly 16, 2021
Investment Strategy
Rest’s Andrew Lill on teambuilding and the things that will define him
Nine months into his tenure as Rest’s inaugural CIO Lill explains his new whole-of-fund investment team structure and outlines the challenges of drifting strategic asset allocation in a YFYS world.
Tahn SharpeJuly 12, 2021
Investment Strategy
Sydney Airport consortium has time to wait for outsized returns
The Sydney Airport approach comes weeks after the government’s game changing Your Future, Your Super reforms and against the backdrop of uncertain defensive fixed income style returns and possible future equity market volatility.
Matthew SmithJuly 7, 2021
Policy and Regulation
Super guarantee is high enough, more reforms needed: Tim Wilson
Australia’s superannuation industry has lost its clear focus on improving retirement outcomes for Australians, Liberal MP Tim Wilson argued in a debate with economist Saul Eslake who, in turn, said politics were muddying the waters.
Ben HurleyJuly 14, 2021
Policy and Regulation
Trustees urged to check fee consent forms against advice docs
Trustees have been advised by ASIC and APRA that fee consent forms aren't enough; they should be checking advice SoAs to ensure services are being provided.
Tahn SharpeJuly 13, 2021
Policy and Regulation
Baked in super contributions caps to burn high income earners: CPA analysis
High-income earners could be forced to breach the concessional contributions cap, an analysis shows, a situation that can be avoided if the concessional contributions cap and maximum earnings bases are synchronised.
Richard WebbJune 23, 2021
Governance
Stapling rebuttal not enough to stop YFYS passage
Australian Labor Party MP Stephen Jones and independent MP Craig Kelly focused on the possibility that stapling could result in workers being lumped with ill-fitting insurance arrangements before the Bill amendment ultimately passed with a vote of 71 to 67.
Matthew SmithJune 17, 2021
Governance
YFYS and distinguishing forest from trees
The debate around which stapling model has raged to the point where stapling works best is now at risk of not proceeding, which would be a shame because either proposed model would improve consumer outcomes, David Bell writes.
David BellMay 31, 2021
Governance
Bill ushers in new regulator watchdog plan
Politicians just don’t have the expertise to assess the effectiveness of ASIC and APRA, the bill explains. As per Hayne’s recommendation, the new Financial Regulator Assessment Authority will be tasked with doing the job properly.
Tahn SharpeMay 22, 2021
Leadership
Mercer’s Tim Barber on how new regulations may play to his fund’s advantage
Mercer Super’s new CEO, Tim Barber, says the new YFYS rules will force the industry to be more transparent and accessible to consumers and outlines how his middle-weight fund punches above its class because of its global connections.
Stewart HawkinsJune 23, 2021
Leadership
Newly merged but open for more: Spirit’s Leeanne Turner
Spirit Super’s CEO Leeanne Turner says the new consolidated entity is not looking to become a mega-fund but is open to further mergers.
Stewart HawkinsJune 9, 2021
Leadership
Rest’s Vicki Doyle on the importance of being adaptable
Underperformance relative to the government’s proposed test could end up being a competitive advantage in the long run for funds like Rest which are now laser focused on outcomes relative to the listed eight-year benchmark, Vicki Doyle highlights in a wide-ranging interview.
Matthew SmithJune 7, 2021
Insurance
Early support improves return-to-work outcomes after cancer
A lifestyle support program provided by insurer AIA Australia and developed by health technology company CancerAid–called CancerAid Coach–has been shown to increase the return-to-work rate of its participants by up to 70 percent and their time out of work was reduced by 20 percent
Ben HurleyJuly 5, 2021
Insurance
Stapling’s ‘not bad in concept’, but is seriously flawed: Arter
Given Australians’ traditional lack of engagement with their super funds new stapling laws are concerning both on insurance and performance grounds for Cbus CEO Justin Arter, while Super Consumers Australia’s Xavier O’Halloran is concerned about legal complexities.
Stewart HawkinsJune 28, 2021
Insurance
Mental health awareness is improved, more work to be done: Super industry roundtable
Greater awareness and action towards mental wellbeing is saving lives, experts say, but workplaces in particular need to lift their game.
Ben HurleyMay 28, 2021
Retirement
Making a principles-based retirement income covenant work
The superannuation fund industry might be strongly supportive of a principles-based approach because it appears to enable more flexibility in product design but David Bell argues it might not be that straight forward.
David BellJuly 5, 2021
Retirement
Widening guidance: The case for more advice in super builds
Funds might tread carefully with their intra-fund strategies but work being done by policy makers and the funds themselves around retirement solutions will open new pathways for advice within superannuation.
Matthew SmithJune 30, 2021
Retirement
Business case for retirement needs to stack up
The design and creation of retirement solutions between now and when the government’s slated Retirement Income Covenant comes into effect will have a lot to do with whether the business case for these products stack up, superannuation fund executives have highlighted.
Matthew SmithJune 28, 2021
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