Cbus Super appoints head of portfolio strategies

Industry super fund Cbus Super has appointed Leigh Gavin as head of portfolio strategies to help implement its five-year strategy to internalise over half its assets under management and improve global partnerships to gain access to more investments.

Superannuation in crosshairs of aged care funding debate

The federal government and opposition have squared off over suggestions that retirement savings could be utilised to take pressure of the ailing aged care system. While Minister for Financial Services Stephen Jones has indicated super could be part of the conversation about the “crisis of aged care funding”, Deputy Opposition Leader Sussan Ley said it would further undermine consumer trust in the super system.

TPD needs rethink, but industry split on payout methods

There is growing consensus that total and permanent disability (TPD) insurance needs a fundamental rethink. But while KPMG partner Melinda Howes questions whether lump sum TPD payouts are still “fit for purpose”, Aware Super’s head of insurance, David Evans, says members still see some value in the traditional approach.

‘Very excited’: Ben Samild on being crowned Future Fund CIO

The Future Fund Board of Governors has picked deputy CIO Ben Samild to replace Raphael Arndt as the sovereign wealth fund’s permanent CIO. While a global executive search was conducted, the former hedge fund strategist and would-be psychologist was widely seen as the frontrunner.

As ART goes national, can it close the gap on AustralianSuper?

When Australian Retirement Trust opened its new offices in Sydney last month, Treasurer Jim Chalmers joked about Queenslanders “planting the flag deep in Blues territory.” But the mega-fund faces headwinds and tailwinds in its quest to expand its member footprint beyond the sunshine state and double its assets under management to $500 billion.

Future2 Foundation expands 2023 grants program

The Financial Advice Association’s Future2 Foundation will expand its eligibility criteria this year, allowing financial services professionals to nominate programs for Australians of any age, rather than restricting support to individuals between the ages of 12 and 25.