There have been 200 times more early release financial hardship payments processed by superannuation funds per week since the government’s scheme opened two weeks ago, according to the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA).
ASFA said it estimated that 855,000 individual payments totalling about $7.1 billion had been made by 30 April, for super members suffering financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
ASFA’s analysis suggested that:
ASFA chief executive, Dr Martin Fahy, said funds had worked cooperatively with the government and regulators to change systems to process the unprecedented volume of transactions to ensure the payments had been made quickly and safely.
“The strength of Australia’s world-class compulsory super system has enabled super funds to play this important role in supporting Australians in these unique circumstances and superannuation is committed to playing a key role in rebuilding the economy, by providing much needed capital for the recovery,” he said.
Australia’s second-largest super fund has confirmed it is expanding its presence in the UK following significant investment in the region.
A member of the super fund has approached ASIC to investigate potentially misleading or deceptive representations by UniSuper regarding the holdings of its sustainable portfolios.
The median growth fund delivered 1.9 per cent in March, adding to the “stunning” rally that has seen super funds gain 11 per cent since November.
Vanguard has affirmed its support for the current super performance test, emphasising the importance of keeping the process straightforward.
Add new comment