Latest News

Super fund expenditure to be exposed

ANDREW MCKEAN
APRA will publicly expose the way superannuation fund trustees are spending and investing members' funds later this year.

Indigenous communities reunited with $25m in lost super

JAMIE WILLIAMSON
The total superannuation found by First Nations Foundation on behalf of Indigenous Australians now comes in at $25.2 million.

Best super fund products revealed

ANDREW MCKEAN
The best superannuation fund products, based on factors such as investment performance, insurance, fees, and organisational strength, have been named.

QMV Legal folds, managing partner to launch new firm

KARREN VERGARA
Novigi will wind up QMV Legal as its managing partner Jonathan Steffanoni embarks on launching a new specialist superannuation law firm.

Latest White Papers

Whistleblowing programs: ASIC's 'renewed focus'

ABIGAIL GILL, SARAH CLARKE, ANDREW LUMSDEN, MARISA ORR, CLARE MOULD   With ASIC set to intensify its regulatory focus on whistleblowing, now more than ever, it is crucial that organisations continue to undertake careful reviews of their whistleblower program to ensure they are compliant.

ASIC urge superannuation trustees to review IDR process

PHIL TURNER   This paper provides an overview of ASIC's expectations and recommendations

Private credit market update

PATRICK SUCHY, DAVE LOWERY   Private credit as an asset class is in demand from a range of investors. The asset class has become a direct substitute for traditional fixed income assets for many investors, who are continuing to increase allocations.

Global listed infrastructure

TIM HUMPHREYS   There is a significant opportunity for investors as global listed infrastructure is potentially rerated on improved earnings, according to Ausbil Investment Management head of global listed infrastructure Tim Humphreys.

Insurance inside your SMSF

BRENT SATILL   With the superannuation sector and self-managed superannuation funds (SMSFs) growing at a rapid rate, the need for public offer and industry superannuation funds to provide a compelling offer to members is more important than ever before.

ASIC report on life insurance in superannuation

SIMUN SOLJO, ALLY CROWTHER   This paper will highlight further action superannuation trustees should be taking as identified in REP 760 against the backdrop of their regulatory obligations.

AI implications across sectors and against ESG considerations

JESSICA CAIRNS   Alphinity partnered with the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research organisation (CSIRO), Australia's premier national scientific research agency, to develop a Responsible AI (R-AI) framework for investors that will be published in a joint report later this year.

Superannuation funds to implement digital advice

RON MULLINS, JASON TONG, STEVE DAVISON   Superannuation funds have played a central role preparing Australians to fund their retirement lifestyle.

Is superannuation safe from bankruptcy?

STUART SHEARY   A mounts in a superannuation fund are generally protected from being included in the estate of a bankrupt. However, the trustees of a bankrupt's estate can recover superannuation contributions made prior to bankruptcy if they have been made to defeat creditors.

Defined benefit streams under the new superannuation rules

BRYAN ASHENDEN   Defined benefit interests are difficult to value in accumulation phase, as final benefits depend on length of service, final salary and other factors. Defined benefit income streams have commutation restrictions imposed by legislation and quite often, by fund specific rules.

Investing is about judgements, not knowledge

STEPHEN ARNOLD   There is a presumption in the investment community that greater information creates better investment outcomes. I have not seen any evidence that supports this.

Insights into superannuation fund mergers

ZEIN EL HASSAN   This paper explores the different legal structures available to superannuation fund trustees that enable potential merger partners to access the benefits of scale on the pathway to full integration via a successor fund transfer (SFT).

Keeping members informed about retirement options

ANTHONY ASHER   As part of a current UNSW project researching the obstacles to the introduction of lifetime income streams faced by superannuation trustees, some interviewees have raised the legal restrictions on communicating with members.

Four ways super funds can elevate member experience

BHARAT BATHI   Despite the long-standing history of private pension plans, superannuation was introduced to Australians 30 years ago to help them support their retirement in a financially viable way.

Demystifying AFCA

GAVIN STUART, EMMA BOYCE, JAMES DUFF   This paper examines the role of AFCA, the complaints process, and the powers and remedies available to AFCA with a focus on consumer complaints against lenders. In this piece, we provide an overview of AFCA generally as well as a detailed analysis of who can make a complaint and who a complaint can be made against.

"Strong, targeted enforcement action" on superannuation funds

KATIE WOOD, MATT SPAIN, VINCENT GIANG, ASHLEIGH RUSSO, NICK WIGNEY   With the compulsory superannuation regime and seemingly endless growth of retirement savings in Australia, it comes as little surprise that superannuation funds have and will continue to face increased scrutiny in 2024, with ASIC making its position clear that it will look to take "strong, targeted enforcement action".

The key to owning SMSF assets

SHELLEY BANTON   While it might appear straightforward, attention to detail is the key to owning SMSF assets. With Regulation 4.09A of the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Regulations 1994 now one of the most reported breaches to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), understanding how clear title works is fundamental for SMSF compliance.

The residency test

CATHERINE NUFER-BARR, REBECCA EDWARDS   In this paper the current requirements for the SMSF residency test will be explored.

Foreign super transferred to an Australian superannuation fund

GABRIELA RUSU   AAT rules earnings as assessable income of the fund, not taxpayer.

Charitable superannuation bequests: Making giving easy

ANGELA JACKSON, EMILY MILLANE   This paper comprises excerpts from the same-titled report prepared by Impact Economics and Policy for Philanthropy Australia.

Age of activism

JAMES FERNYHOUGH   UniSuper chief investment officer John Pearce talks to FS Super associate editor James Fernyhough about Westfield, company engagement, and the role of members in investment strategy.

A career in retrospect

JAMES FERNYHOUGH   In September, HESTA chief executive Anne-Marie Corboy announced that she would be standing down after 16 years at the helm of one of Australia's largest super funds. James Fernyhough caught up with her to hear her thoughts on HESTA's evolution, the purpose of superannuation, and why the media ...