CEOs call for different strokes for different funds

Four CEOs leading four very different super funds have cautioned that a one-size-fits-all regulatory model for delivering advice may not lead to the best member outcomes. Instead, regulation needs to recognise that funds must take different approaches to member needs, as long as the right guardrails are in place.

Three years on, RIC’s intersection of product and advice still evolving

Delivering information, guidance and advice to super fund members at the scale that’s going to be required is too big a task to be tackled by any one part of the ecosystem on its own. The Advice Policy Summit has heard that it’s going to require connections, co-operation and collaboration between multiple players in superannuation and advice.

Super funds get special privileges around unlisted assets they need to respect

A managed investment scheme holding 20 per cent or more in unlisted assets is deemed an illiquid scheme and is restricted from providing frequent liquidity, but there is no formal limit on how much super funds can allocate to these asset classes. The Conexus Institute writes this is a special privilege given to APRA-regulated super funds that should not be taken for granted.

Mercer, TelstraSuper announce new CIOs

TelstraSuper chief investment officer Graeme Miller will lead the investment operations of the $74 billion Mercer Super. Head of alternative investments and real assets, Kate Misic, will replace Miller in the interim ahead of the impending merger with Equip Super.

Super fund switching led by financial advisers: CoreData

New research presented to the chairs of superannuation funds suggests external financial advisers are responsible for a significant portion of member switching in the market. CoreData global CEO Andrew Inwood urged funds to factor professional adviser needs into their user experience and operational infrastructure uplift efforts.

Profit-to-member funds set to face a tough year

With the upcoming federal election, profit-to-member funds have found themselves under much scrutiny, despite their assets having increased significantly over the last three years. The sector is facing increasing demands to lift its game, such as investing in member services as millions of Australians enter the retirement phase.

Challenger’s mission to redefine retirement income in Australia

Challenger is on a mission to redefine retirement income for Australians, celebrating almost 40 years of helping Australians secure a comfortable and certain retirement. Challenger continues to lead the way in retirement income solutions. Their pioneering work in annuities and partnerships with super funds ensures retirees are equipped with reliable income for life. To illustrate the impact of the work that Challenger is doing, chief executive Anton Kapel shares the story of how a lifetime annuity has helped a grandmother in her 80s maintain financial security.

Australian companies generating heat in the uranium universe

With opposition leader Peter Dutton swinging his nuclear nunchuks there may be fresh brawling in coming months over the future of uranium mining in Australia. But it will probably be events playing out on the other side of the uranium universe involving some small Australian companies that will be more intriguing – and perhaps informative and insightful – over the coming months.