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- Opinion
- Chanticleer
The next big threat to our $4 trillion super sector might lie within
Former treasurer and CBUS chairman Wayne Swan is far from finished fighting the superannuation wars. But he also sees another risk to the sector’s stability.
- James Thomson
Swan accuses Cbus critics of ‘raw politics’ and ‘deliberate damage’
The former treasurer said industry funds were under attack from critics jealous of their success.
- Hannah Wootton
Super funds urged to move on from ‘suboptimal’ apps and get on Reddit
If they want to reach young people, superannuation funds need to talk to them where they are, technology experts say.
- Amelia McGuire
‘It burns’: AusSuper CIO tormented by $1.1b private equity fail
Mark Delaney spoke candidly about having to write off that sum in equity and loans tied to an American online education start-up.
- Jonathan Shapiro
Advice reforms to be legislated by May next year: Stephen Jones
The Assistant Treasurer says he is “impatient” to have the next tranche of advice reforms legislated, as super funds push for freedom to give broader advice.
- Joanna Mather and Lucy Dean
October
Private markets thawing, says CIO of $330b super fund
Superannuation funds say their size and scale gives them an edge in competing for private assets, but not in public markets.
- Jonathan Shapiro
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
How big super became the corporate enforcer
Few could’ve predicted who would be enforcing standards in corporate Australia in 2024. It’s all about the weight of money.
- Anthony Macdonald
Allow people to ‘cash out’ of super above 8pc: Grattan
A debate about using superannuation for housing prompted the institute’s policy expert Brendan Coates to call for radical change.
- Lucy Dean
APRA reveals $10.8b spending by super funds but rules out blacklists
The regulator considered a blanket ban on funds making payments to unions or advertisers, but decided against it.
- Hannah Wootton
Aware Super watching for transparency in WiseTech review
Representatives of Aware Super, which owns about 1.18 per cent of WiseTech, had a “constructive” meeting with the board and chairman on Monday.
- Maxim Shanahan
Why using your super to help pay your mortgage is the 'rational' choice
Grattan Institute's Brendan Coates says he expects to use some super to pay off his mortgage and that is the rational choice for many Australians.
- Updated
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
APRA’s crackdown on super spending needs a sinner
Judging super funds’ spending on investments should be the easy bit. Good luck making sense of “administration and other costs” that make up more than half of funds’ expenses.
- Anthony Macdonald
Super funds told bigger must be better for customers, too
The $3.9 trillion sector needs to start making good on its promise that scale would lead to better customer service and financial outcomes for members, ASIC says.
- Hannah Wootton
- Exclusive
- Governance
Big super pushes boards on culture after WiseTech, MinRes dramas
Industry superannuation funds are ramping up their focus on the culture of the companies they invest in as scandals wipe billions off corporate valuations.
- Updated
- Fiona Buffini and Hannah Wootton
August
Super funds in the new era of scrutiny and engagement
Dissect wealth and advice trends and how to deliver better outcomes for savers, retirees and investors at the Financial Review’s Super and Wealth Summit 2024.
November 2023
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
Baby Boomers need to be open to digital financial advice
There’s a new model in the United States that is taking off and potentially viable in Australia.
- Anthony Macdonald
‘Financial heartbreak’: Customer complaints about super jump 32pc
Former truck driver Christian Jensen had to apply for two hardship variations on his mortgage due to delays from his super fund.
- Hannah Wootton and Lucy Dean
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
Origin battle shows big super’s angst over the shrinking of the ASX
The tussle for Origin has shone renewed light on whether we should be worried about the ASX shrinking as big companies go private.
- James Thomson
October 2023
- Opinion
- The AFR View
The super giant is failing at the grass roots
The super industry has focused itself on piling up members and savings, not on the individuals getting the best results when they retire.
- The AFR View
Labor savages big super for failing customers
Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones has read the riot act to superannuation funds over poor customer service and retirement advice.
- Hannah Wootton and Michael Read
Fundamental change needed to get super funds up to scratch, APRA warns
The watchdog also said that funds’ unlisted asset valuations and liquidity management were under scrutiny as any failures to manage these in the current volatile economy risked customers’ savings and the broader financial system.
- Hannah Wootton
What big super can learn from Robinhood
Day trader darling Robinhood mastered the art of customer engagement, even if it went a little too far.
- Lucy Dean
Don’t overstate active engagement claims, ASIC warns funds
The investment regulator is paying attention to funds holding lucrative investments in the name of active ownership.
- Lucy Dean
Super funds use rising rates to boost returns, lower risk
The surge in bond rates is creating seismic shifts in global asset allocations. Super funds are poised to take advantage.
- Jonathan Shapiro
‘Not spooked’: Cbus chairman Wayne Swan doubles down on property
Cbus chairman Wayne Swan says the $85 billion fund’s property portfolio has proven resilient to higher interest rates and the fallout of the pandemic.
- Michael Read