REST appoints interim chief investment officers
REST has appointed two interim chief investment officers following the announcement that Andrew Lill, its CIO for the last five years, will depart the fund in November.
Tackling retirement income, gender gap key to better super system: Mercer
Australia is no longer the top retirement system in Asia Pacific – the first time that has happened since the Mercer CFA Institute Global Pension Index started tracking and ranking the competence of pension systems around the world. Mercer partner and lead author of the report, David Knox, said superannuation can do better in areas like providing retirement income projection and unisex annuity rates.
Coalition reference to 401(k) ignites fears of voluntary super
Shadow Treasurer Angus Taylor has invoked the US 401(k) scheme in comments about the controversial ‘super for housing’ policy, raising eyebrows about a broader Coalition push for voluntary super. Though likely a throwaway line, Aleks Vickovich writes the reference may also signal aspirations of the party rank-and-file to overturn a landmark Labor achievement.
Cbus bullish on Chinese equities in a split from peers
Cbus Super chief investment officer Brett Chatfield said the $94 billion fund has built a “small, long” position in Chinese equities, diverging from a generally bearish outlook among its asset owner peers about the world’s second largest economy.
Super funds on pace for a strong CY24
Super funds had a strong September with the median growth fund (61 to 80% in growth assets) up 1.2 per cent for the month, according to Chant West.
ASIC makes dual appointments to executive leadership team
ASIC has made two appointments to its executive leadership team, covering its regulation and supervision, and enforcement and compliance divisions. The regulator announced that following an international search, Peter Soros has been appointed executive director regulation and supervision. Soros will join ASIC from the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC), Australia’s financial intelligence and … Read more
Private markets drag global pension fund value-add to decade low
New research reveals pension funds destroyed value relative to benchmarks in the 2023 calendar year, to the tune of an average of 140 basis points. The two main reasons were a drag on performance in private markets and real assets.
Composition of super fund fees still confusing to members
Despite stringent disclosure requirements, members are still confused about the fees they are paying to their super funds. New research commissioned by Vanguard Australia found only 1 per cent of Australians can identify the multiple types of fees being charged to their accounts. SuperRatings insights manager Joshua Lowen said it’s on both funds and members themselves to solve the challenge.
AustralianSuper makes first US data centre investment
AustralianSuper has made its first investment in the US data centre market, injecting $2.2 billion in DataBank alongside the company’s existing investor DigitalBridge.
Housing Australia, ART invest with Queensland government in new homes
Housing Australia and super fund Australian Retirement Trust will invest in the delivery of 604 new affordable and social housing across South East Queensland, with the support from state government.
Simplicity the best and hardest thing in retirement engagement
Complex member communication could deter people from engaging with their retirement savings, but for super funds, maintaining simplicity in their messages has become one of the most difficult things to do. Utilising behavioural science and understanding consumer biases could be the key to better retirement engagement efforts.
From the UK to the world: Funds ramp up global policy engagement
Australian super funds’ collaboration with their British counterparts to change the UK policy setting is an engagement effort the first of its kind. However, as the global pension industry and financial markets become increasingly entwined, it certainly won’t be the last. IFM Investors’ David Whiteley outlines its global engagement ambitions on behalf of super funds.
