The Financial Services Council (FSC) is urging the Government to remember that consumer choice comes first when it comes to a review of Your Future, Your Super.
The policy, which was introduced last July, was currently being reviewed with special focus paid to Choice funds and religion-based funds.
It was important, the FSC said, that the Government remembered members of these types of products were often aided by financial advisers in their decision to join these funds, in order to meet their specific risk levels or objectives.
Any review of performance should therefore not run counter to consumer choice or counter to the best financial interest of members.
In an update, Aidan Nguyen, policy manager for superannuation, said: “An important precedent is being examined by the Government as it reviews performance testing for faith-based products because it recognises that consumer choice comes first.
“Members investing in Choice products have made an active decision to be there.
“We must acknowledge the limitations that come from performance testing individual Choice products and be careful that outcomes in isolation do not override the roles and duties the financial adviser has in reviewing their client’s portfolio at a holistic level.”
Amid a challenging market environment, three super fund CIOs have warned against ‘jumping at shadows’.
The professional body is calling for the annual performance test to transition to a two-metric test, so it better aligns with the overarching duty of super fund trustees to act in the best financial interests of their members.
AustralianSuper, Rest, and HESTA agree on the need to retain and enhance the test, yet they differ in their perspectives on the specific areas that warrant further refinement.
Australia’s second-largest super fund has confirmed it is expanding its presence in the UK following significant investment in the region.
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