There can be no doubt that big data is a big part of superannuation these days. At AIST’s recent Conference of Major Superannuation Funds held last month on the Gold Coast, the potential for the mining of data to revolutionise and disrupt our industry was an ongoing theme across the conference’s 66 sessions. But when … Read more
The political climate is right for bipartisan support on a range of issues facing superannuation, the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA) believes. Presenting ASFA’s research into very high superannuation account balances Pauline Vamos, chief executive, said tax concessions provided the starting point for a bipartisan conversation about superannuation’s role in the wider economy … Read more
Enablement of others is central to Mark Williamson’s vision – a consistent theme whether he is talking about relationships within the super fund, the role of technology, or insurance and retirement products tailored to Energy Super’s members. “I learned a long time ago not to get in the road of management,” Williamson says. “The chair … Read more
Diversity on superannuation boards has increased steadily in the past year, with nine out of 13 publicly announced appointments going to women. Seven of these appointments have gone to independents, four have gone to people with funds management backgrounds and two have gone to lawyers. The announcements only represent funds that have sought to publicise … Read more
A skills matrix assessment of Equip’s board has identified shortfalls amongst the directors, prompting them to make two new appointees. In the past six months Equip used the global retained executive search firm Heidrick and Struggles to ascertain the scope of skills, whether hard skills, soft skills, generic skills or specific skills, that the board … Read more
Whenever definitions in a total and permanent disability (TPD) insurance policy are amended to reduce premiums it’s certain the change will cost someone something. The question for trustees is whether the cost will be paid fairly and by the correct parties. One approach currently in favour with insurers is to insert a clause into policies … Read more
The shortlist for the chief investment officer of the year has been released in advance of the Conexus Financial Superannuation Awards at the Ivy Ballroom, Sydney on May 20. The shortlist for the top four large funds, top four medium-sized funds and the top four small funds, best MySuper defaults, the best member engaged services, … Read more
The Future Fund is favouring labour intensive, and therefore higher fee, strategies in areas where too much capital has been flowing to generic low-fee strategies resulting in high prices and low returns. David Neal, managing director of Future Fund, clarified to delegates at ASFA Investment Interchange that fees across the asset management industry are “too … Read more
The perennial question of how much tax concessions high earners should receive for superannuation is to be addressed in the discussion paper issued on Monday. One solution likely to be aired is the feasibility of a lifetime limit, such as $3 million, on superannuation balances. In its favour, a cap, a figure that would be … Read more
Shortlists for small, medium-sized and large funds of the year have been released. The top four large funds, top four medium-sized funds and the top four small funds in the past year have all been named in advance of the Conexus Financial Superannuation Awards at the Ivy Ballroom, Sydney on May 20. The shortlist for … Read more
The finance industry is slow in its willingness to innovate around technology, and is behind other industries says Jessica Donohue executive vice president, chief innovation officer and head of advisory and information solutions at State Street. And the cost of that inability, or stubbornness, around technology innovation is not inconsequential. State Street recently released its … Read more
Thierry Bareau is to join AustralianSuper in the new role of commercial manager, insurance on April 12. Bareau, who has held the role of head of insurance at RiceWarner, will work with insurers on renegotiating contracts, repricing and terms and conditions. A year ago Richard Weatherhead also left a consulting role at RiceWarner to join … Read more
The investment intelligence behind Australia’s largest asset owners and their teams
In-depth interviews with leaders, experts and visionaries in the institutional investment community
Updates on the latest industry policy developments and regulation
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Investment Magazine provides in-depth, monthly analysis of trends and developments for all the businesses in which superannuation funds engage‚ including asset allocation, investment manager selection, custody and fund accounting, member administration, group insurance and compliance.
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