News

Frydenberg rules out super draw-down changes

Despite the Government’s moves on deeming rates, the Federal Treasurer, Josh Frydenberg has ruled out any

Superannuation funds and other institutional investors have not had enough incentive to invest in affordable housing in Australia, according to the Federal Treasurer, Scott Morrison. Addressing an Australian Council of Social Services (ACOSS) event in Vic

16 July

Why super funds veer away from residential property

A Victorian Government inquiry has been told why superannuation funds may have the capacity to invest in Build-to-

16 July

Law firm warns against further group insurance removal

The commencement date for switching off insurance inside super for low balance accounts should be deferred to 1

16 July

Tech Mahindra wins LGIAsuper’s admin contract

Indian-based technology firm, Tech Mahindra, has achieved a major milestone in its foray into the Australian

Investment committees and boards tend to take environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues as a bundle when E, S, and G are not created equally, according to Northern Trust Asset Management. The firm’s senior vice president, head of asset management

16 July

$12 billion FUM milestone proof responsible investing works

Local Government Super has hit $12 billion in funds under management (FUM), after doubling its total FUM in just

16 July

Funds SA awards $34 billion mandate to Northern Trust

Funds SA, the investment manager owned by the Government of South Australia, has awarded a $34 billion mandate to

2019-12-04 21:15:00

Knowledge Centre

ESG ‘dating tips’ for asset managers

What does an asset owner look for in an asset manager to help them navigate sustainability and ESG investing?

BNP Paribas

16 July

SS&C still looking for “bold and brave” first client

Global technology provider SS&C has reconfirmed its self-imposed 2020 deadline to acquire an administration

BT Financial Group has joined the chorus of calls for a harmonisation of the treatment of insurance both inside and outside of super.

16 July

MLC Life Insurance halves underwriting times

MLC Life Insurance has halved underwriting approval times with its UnderwriteMe technology, which allows them to

15 July

AMP Life sale in disarray

A decision by the Reserve Bank of New Zealand has left the sale of AMP Life in disarray.

The rules around the provision of scaled advice should not be watered down just because the banks have difficulty in dealing with them, according to a submission by both Industry Super Australia (ISA) and the Australian Institute of Superannuation Trustee

11 July

Appetite for member engagement growing

Superannuation fund loyalty is on the rise, with members more likely to stay with their fund when they change jobs

11 July

Grattan super analysis just plain wrong

The major superannuation industry bodies have united to condemn the latest superannuation analysis from the

11 July

SG increase would cost less than Grattan claims

Rice Warner has hit out at the Grattan Institute’s claim that raising the super guarantee to 12 per cent would

11 July

Post retirement

Call for deeming rate cuts as interest rate drops

The stagnation of deeming for the last four years is under scrutiny as the Reserve Bank’s second interest rate cut

11 July

Super funds urge Amazon to act on workers’ rights

Vision Super, Statewide Super, and Australian Ethical have joined a US$4.53 trillion investors’ coalition calling

11 July

Willis Towers Watson names new head of strategic advisory

Willis Towers Watson has announced the appointment of Jessica Melville as head of strategic advisory, investments.

TelstraSuper has announced new investment in innovative technology by partnering with private equity IP Group Plc.

11 July

REI Super partners with Laneway Analytics

Data analytics fintech Laneway Analytics have announced a partnership agreement with REI Super to power new

9 July

Govt acts to close redundancy pay tax anomaly

Superannuation funds have been asked to consult on new Government legislation aimed at ending the anomaly around

9 July

Industry funds confirmed as RC winners

Industry superannuation funds have been confirmed as the winners from the Royal Commission with new research

9 July

Sovereign funds walk away from Europe

The sovereign wealth funds and central banks have increased allocation to fixed income, Chinese and alternative

Senior Australian Taxation Office (ATO) officials have questioned the degree to which employers have been using employee superannuation salary sacrifice arrangements to reduce their superannuation guarantee (SG) contribution. The ATO deputy commissioner,

9 July

Funds management

Fund suspension prompts questions over illiquid assets

Questions are being raised about funds holding illiquid assets after the suspension of a £3.7 billion fund run by

9 July

Credit may be a promising hunting ground: Aviva Investors

Despite the hopes of investors, Aviva Investors has warned that any early reversal of the recent growth slowdown

Retail non-superannuation investments is projected to increase at 9.7 per cent per annum over the next decade thanks to an expected outflow of funds from super as a result of the 2016/17 Budget super changes, according to DEXX&R. The research house’s late

9 July

Jobs at risk as Deutsche Bank exits equities

Deutsche Bank has announced it is shutting its equities division, potentially leading to job losses from the firm’

9 July

Industry fund concern at insurance changes

Industry superannuation funds body, the Australian Institute of Superannuation Trustees has described the

9 July

Elkins joins KPMG

Colonial First State executive general manager, Linda Elkins, to move to KPMG to head up Asset and Wealth

8 July

Elkins to depart CFS

Colonial First State executive general manager, Linda Elkins has stepped down from her role with the business.

8 July

Rollover

A very hospitable merger

In Rollover’s experience there would be few funds more suited to a merger than Hostplus and Club Super, and not

8 July

Rollover

Wet – dry = moist

Having worked both sides of the divide, Rollover was pleased to see the new assistant minister for Superannuation

8 July

Rollover

Reserving the right to use a reserve

Given that APRA is currently in the courts seeking to prosecute IOOF over the manner in which it used a member

Sunsuper for Life together with AMP's SignatureSuper and SignatureSuper Allocate Pension products have topped the Heron Partnership Quality Star ratings.

4 July

Six superannuation consultancies prove stand outs

The best superannuation consultancies have been revealed to be QMV, Rice Warner and Deloitte for tender and other

4 July

TelstraSuper makes responsible stewardship commitment

TelstraSuper has signed onto the Australian Asset Owner Stewardship Code, aimed at increasing the transparency and

4 July

GROW Super launches own superannuation platform

GROW Super has launched its own distributed ledger superannuation platform TINA, as well as raising $17 million in

The proposed reduction in concessional contributions could mean a hefty reduction in super member’s final account balance, according to DEXX&R.

4 July

Australian losing out from multiple super costs

Australians are losing $6.5 billion on unnecessary costs such as fees and subscriptions, prompting Rest to

The Superannuation Complaints Tribunal has urged the Government to cut it loose from ASIC’s budgetary apron-strings.

4 July

Rate cut prompts review of income assets

Retirees should review their income-generating strategies in light of the Reserve Bank of Australia’s second rate

The Federal Treasury has been warned against allowing misleading estimates of the value of superannuation tax concessions to gain currency lest they give rise to adverse policy changes. In a submission to the Tax Analysis Division of the Treasury, the Ass

4 July

Tax strategy options open up via catch-up contributions

Technical expert, Rob Lavery believes the 1 July changes allowing catch-up contributions have opened the way for

The SCT has appointed four new part-time members who bring significant legal expertise and wide-spread experience in superannuation..

4 July

JANA reaches 100-headcount milestone

Superannuation consultancy JANA has announced it has just broken the 100-headcount milestone, with the company

Super fund trustees must factor in the risk of their exposures to unsustainable fossils fuels.

4 July

Funds management

Responsible investing lead to better performance

The funds that have incorporated responsible investing principles outperformed most mainstream Australian and

NGS Super and QIEC take unusual step of pursuing merger based on master trust structure.

2 July

Hostplus and Club Super enter merger talks

Hospitality industry funds Hostplus and Club Super have announced merger discussions.

2 July

Making super investment decisions does not represent “activity”

According to the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority just because a superannuation fund member implements

2 July

FY19’s close brings an ordinary year of returns to an end

The superannuation sector met expectations for FY19, delivering returns in the positives but slightly below

2 July

Gov signals welcome changes to PYS legislation

The Morrison Government has proposed changes to the Protecting Your Super reforms that would see some of the

2 July

Who are the best super funds and consultants?

The crowning of the Super Review Super Fund of the Year overall winner is drawing closer, as well as the inaugural

2 July

SuperConcepts says it’s #Time2Enshrine super objective

SuperConcepts has launched a campaign for Parliament to enshrine the objective of the super system, calling for

To shore up long-term sustainability Australian Ethical has reduced super fees by 0.67 per cent, declining its net profit after tax.

2 July

Funds management

Christian Super grows impact investing footprint

Christian Super has become Switzerland-based responsAbility Investments AG’s first international shareholder,

2 July

State Super signs Omega

State Super has announced it has awarded a large Australian equity income mandate to Omega Global Investors.

2 July

New financial year brings policy changes

As Australia enters a new financial year, there are several changes to be aware of which will affect areas such as

Has the ACCC broken Link’s Pillar bid? The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has identified market dominance and systems risk as key impediments to allowing Link Market Services to bid for Pillar Administration but can it be persuaded otherw

2 July

Sargon acquires Diversa

Financial technology company Sargon has announced it has acquired the Trustee Services business, comprising

Heated discussion has emerged around a Victorian Liberal Party Senate candidate who also happens to be a policy adviser within an industry fund.

1 July

Hume reiterates call to end super culture wars

The Assistant Minister for Superannuation, Financial Services and Financial Services Technology, Senator Jane Hume

1 July

Suncorp to defend class action over fees

Conflicted fees are once again a hot legal topic, with Suncorp being hit with a class action in the New South

1 July

Tasplan members officially rolled over to MetLife cover

Tasplan has gone live with its group insurance cover from MetLife, following the insurer winning the super fund’s

1 July