January
Big super to keep pushing companies on climate
New climate disclosure laws mean even retail super funds will engage with companies on climate this year. Poor workplace safety and governance is also a concern.
- Hannah Wootton
Super admits its size is a risk but says ‘what is the alternative?’
The managers of Australia’s $4.1 trillion retirement savings pool say they are best placed to invest in banks and private lending despite warnings from the RBA and IMF.
- Hannah Wootton
Top super investors dash pre-election rate cut hopes
But they say investors should be optimistic about inflation easing despite later cuts and risks associated with Donald Trump taking the White House.
- Hannah Wootton
Where big super investors are hunting for returns in 2025
The investment bosses of the $4.1 trillion sector say US stocks will keep driving returns, but standout sharemarket performances will likely temper.
- Hannah Wootton
December 2024
- Exclusive
- Superannuation
How big super is spending your money on sponsorship and marketing
Jumps in advertising spends at industry giants such as Aware Super and UniSuper came despite a crackdown by the watchdog questioning whether these costs are in members’ best interests.
- Hannah Wootton
November 2024
- Exclusive
- Superannuation
AustralianSuper pays members back $4.2m over claims handling delays
The industry super giant is voluntarily compensating the loved ones of deceased members after an overhaul of its claims handling processes imposed tough new timelines.
- Hannah Wootton
October 2024
Big super’s executive gender pay gap revealed
Analysis by The Australian Financial Review also shows who the highest-paid superannuation bosses were last year.
- Hannah Wootton
September 2024
Super boards can rely on ‘reasonable’ outside advice: court
The corporate watchdog has lost a case claiming Rest Super misled customers, with the judge finding the fund relied on reasonable legal advice from Allens.
- Hannah Wootton
How a tragic car accident upended this CEO’s life
Rest Superannuation’s Vicki Doyle worked at insurer Suncorp for more than nine years. Three weeks into her first general manager role, she got a phone call.
- Sally Patten and Lap Phan
August 2024
Super funds look to take advantage of energy transition
The biggest question for the $3.9 trillion super sector is not whether to invest in the energy transition’s unlisted asset boom, but rather which opportunities are best.
- Hannah Wootton
April 2024
Big super splits on performance test reforms
Labor announced it was reviewing the test after several funds said the current rules stopped them investing in the “nation building” initiatives the government wanted them to bankroll.
- Hannah Wootton
March 2024
Coalition demands means-testing on parental leave super payments
The opposition says workers with big super retirement savings balances should not get superannuation top-ups paid for by taxpayers.
- Hannah Wootton and Tom McIlroy
‘Absolutely nonsense’: Super funds slam investment banker pay gaps
Investment banks claim it will take a long time to fix mammoth gender pay gaps, blaming systemic factors, but super funds show it can be done quickly, CEOs say.
- Hannah Wootton
February 2024
Super fees are not coming down like they were supposed to
The running costs of Australia’s biggest industry super funds have not gone down despite their promises that greater scale would drive down expenses.
- Hannah Wootton
January 2024
- Exclusive
- Superannuation
Revealed: Big super’s executive gender pay gap
Despite pressuring companies to ramp up female representation in their senior ranks, there is just one woman among the top 10 paid executives at the eight most powerful super funds.
- Hannah Wootton and Sarah Mitchell
Super funds step up private lending in challenge to banks
Fund CIOs say increased regulatory scrutiny on bank capital means more borrowers are tapping them for project finance and leveraged buyouts, as well as direct lending.
- Updated
- Hannah Wootton
Cbus splits from industry super rivals over performance tests
The Wayne Swan-chaired industry fund urged Treasurer Jim Chalmers to stick to the current regime even as its rivals heavily lobby Canberra for change.
- Hannah Wootton
Super fund CIOs go defensive amid fears rates stay high
Investment chiefs who collectively manage more than $1.5 trillion in retirement savings are ramping up their exposure to unlisted assets, private credit and cash.
- Hannah Wootton
December 2023
- Exclusive
- Superannuation
Big super spends lots of your money on promotion. Here’s where it goes
New transparency laws reveal for the first time where industry super funds put money for ads and sponsorships. The Tigers and unions are big winners.
- Hannah Wootton
Big super hits out at performance tests
Fund chiefs descended on Parliament House for roundtable discussions as part of Labor’s push to have private money fund “nation building” investments.
- Hannah Wootton and Ronald Mizen