AMP Multi Asset Group structure finalised

AMP has finished the centralisation of its fund manager teams, creating four separate chief investment officer roles under the leadership of Sean Henaghan. Following the exit of Stephanie Weston at the start of the year, the retail investment management function has been wound down and transferred from AMP to the multi-asset group at AMP Capital … Read more

Future Fund creates twin leadership roles

The Future Fund has promoted internally to fill its chief investment officer role, while passing the responsibility for portfolio risk setting to another role. Dr Raphael Arndt, the fund’s former head of infrastructure and timberland, is now CIO, while Stephen Gilmore, the fund’s current head of investment strategy, will take on responsibility for monitoring total … Read more

Kinetic Super stands figures on their head

Kinetic Super has defended its cost structure from analysis which shows it having the highest operational costs of all superannuation funds as a proportion of member assets. Megan Bolton, chief executive of the super fund for whom many members do contract work and often accrue small member balances, says costs have come down by a … Read more

Legalsuper seeks first ever CIO

An experienced investment professional seeking a better work-life balance is being sought by Legalsuper as its first ever chief investment officer. The $2.3 billion fund for Australia’s legal community hopes to gain a senior figure who wants to work two to three days a week. An announcement from Legalsuper lists the attractions of the role … Read more

RiceWarner: beating annuities “easy” for super funds

Superannuation funds can offer retirement accounts that easily exceed the income from annuities, believes Rice Warner. Michael Rice, chief executive of the actuarial firm, is working with several large funds to help them convert a member’s account-based pension into a distributing trust, with separate cash and capital accounts. The cash accounts would make pension payments … Read more

Average operational costs per member rising

Operational costs are on the rise and on a per member basis have nearly doubled in ten years, shows analysis carried out by consultant group Bridge. APRA data on operational and administration costs and released in January shows that in 2004 the average per annum amount spent on operational costs per member was $94, but … Read more

Zenith analyst named winner of 2014 IMCA scholarship

A 26-year-old investment analyst from Zenith Investment Partners, Justin Tay, has been awarded a scholarship position in this year’s intake for the Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA) program. The program is designed by the Investment Management Consultants Association, an international body which provides standards for the investment management consulting profession, including essential credentials and tools. … Read more

Victorian tax puts fund in breach of MySuper rules

This article was written by David Galloway a lawyer and superannuation executive Trustees of MySuper Products have been handed a nasty surprise by the Victorian Government that could put most in breach of their MySuper Authorisation. Part 2 of the Duties Act 2000 (Vic) has become big news in superannuation because sections 176 to 196 … Read more

Widespread call for hybrid TPD/IP insurance cover

Funds, insurers and consultants are calling for the creation of an insurance product that sits half way between TPD cover and income protection. Speakers and delegates at the third annual Conexus Financial/ AIA Group Insurance Summit, held in Sydney, found common accord not only that TPD was a major cause of soaring premiums, but it … Read more

Bernie Ripoll and AIA call for innovation on group insurance

The shadow minister for financial services and superannuation, Bernie Ripoll, and chief executive of AIA one of Australia’s largest insurance providers, Damien Mu, called on the group insurance industry to continue its path of innovation in finding solutions to the challenges in the industry. In his opening remarks at the Conexus Financial/AIA Group Insurance Summit, … Read more

Funds can make impact in cutting chronic diseases

Funds and their insurers should play a bigger role in helping to prevent chronic diseases that stem from poor lifestyle and dietary choices, according to leading health experts at the Group Insurance Summit. Kerry Doyle, chief executive of the Heart Foundation NSW, said Australia had reached a “tipping point” in obesity, which compelled change across … Read more