Super funds urged to focus on post-retirement

Superannuation funds should give particular attention to the design and positioning of post-retirement solutions this year, according to a new analysis released by Mercer.

The firm has issued a list of actions it believes every superannuation provider needs to consider this year, with Mercer director of strategic research, Hendrie Koster urging a focus on outcome-based investing, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.

"Many super investment strategies still assume all members have the same investment objectives and therefore invest in the same way regardless of the members' specific needs," he said. "This approach will have to change in 2016."

Koster urged that investment strategies be flexible and tailored to the specific needs of each member, including their balance, gender, and objectives.

VIEW ALL

View all

He said the design and positioning of post-retirement solutions was also important, with action needed to provide retirees with a flexible income solution that provides an adequate and sustainable income for their retired life.

"Post-retirement has certainly moved up the priority list for the industry as a whole, but the market is still immature and the range of solutions is thin," Koster said.

"We hope to see a strong increase in the number of tailor-made post-retirement offerings that have so far been limited in the absence of clear government guidance."