FS Super

Challenge and opportunity in decarbonisation

MANS CARLSSON   The science is very clear. The world needs to decarbonise to avoid a potential ecological disaster.

Researching ESG investment products

AMAN RAMRAKHA   Finding the right ESG investment product that delivers returns alongside positive impact, while sidestepping potential greenwash, unethical or risky business practices can be a rocky road- whether you are an institutional investor, a wholesale investor, or a financial adviser.

Nothing to fear

MIRZA BAIG   This paper explains why all investments entail trade-offs, the importance of having clear objectives, and some of the trade-offs pertaining to specific sustainable approaches.

Why private credit has been winning strong investor support

DAN FARMER   Private credit, when managed to institutional standards, offers what is considered to be attractive riskadjusted returns coupled with strong structural and contractual protections.

Insurance-linked securities: Beyond the boom

MARTIN REA, CHRIS MCAVOY   Early in 2023, JANA identified the potential of insurance-linked securities (ILS) as a favourable investment avenue. Subsequently, the sector experienced an exceptional year, delivering record returns.

Evolution of disability cover in superannuation

CARLOS LOPEZ, ALISON BODINNAR   Acollaborative effort is needed to develop a more equitable and sustainable framework for supporting members with a disability, especially those with mental health-related disabilities.

Generative AI in systematic investing

ACADIAN ASSET MANAGEMENT (AUST   Generative AI gained widespread attention following the debut of ChatGPT by OpenAI in 2022. While the technology may seem new, its origins and applications trace back to the mid-2000s.

Technology trends in the retirement market

DEVAN NAIDOO   The retirement landscape is undergoing a seismic shift. With changing demographics, longer life spans, and evolving economic trends, it has become imperative for the pension industry to move with the times.

Changes to the retirement condition of release

STUART SHEARY   The most common condition of release to access superannuation is 'retirement' upon reaching preservation age.

Lifetime annuities

PLAN FOR LIFE   This paper examines Australian and overseas retirement income products and in particular immediate and deferred lifetime annuities, to determine the role that the latter two could play in meeting the Retirement Income Covenant.

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).

Federal Court decision reinforces ASIC's stance on greenwashing

ILONA MILLAR, KELVIN NG, SARAH MARTIN, LILY MORTON   On 5 June 2024, the Federal Court found that LGSS Pty Ltd, as the trustee of the superannuation fund now known as Active Super made false or misleading representations and engaged in conduct that was liable to mislead the public about its ESG credentials in breach of the ASIC Act

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.

The intra-fund advice matrix

MICHAEL VRISAKIS, MAGED GIRGIS, ANDREW BRADLEY, TAMANNA ISLAM, HARTLEY SPRING   This paper explores and seeks to demystify intra-fund advice and to provide well-needed legal illumination.

How 2024 is shaping up for superannuation trustees

LISA-MARIE MCKECHNIE, KATHY NEILSON, KERRY JACOBS   This paper looks at what has happened so far and considers what the sector might expect in the second half of the year.

The true cost of non-complying market valuations

SHELLEY BANTON   Is near enough good enough when valuing SMSF assets?

Why high-income earners choose SMSFs

JUSTON JIRWANDER   This paper examines the strategic reasoning behind their inclination towards SMSFs, incorporating insights from the ATO guidelines and relevant financial literature.

Auto-reversionary pensions

WILLIAM FETTES, DANIEL BUTLER   Instead of starting from the position that automatically reversionary pensions are always or usually the preferred option, advisers should be aware of the potential advantages and disadvantages that can arise in different circumstances, including in respect of the proposed Division 296 tax.

Adult children as tax free dependants

MICHAEL HALLINAN   This paper considers whether an adult child can have an interdependency relationship with their parent. It is presumed that the adult child is legally and financially independent of the parent.

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 ...