The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) has been asked to explain how it is handling mergers which involve under-performing funds.
The regulator has been put on notice by Tasmanian Greens Senator Peter Whish-Wilson to explain its approach to mergers involving under-performing funds, including any examples which might have already occurred.
Whish-Wilson’s questioning took place during Senate estimates with APRA’s response expected to be gazetted next week.
Whish-Wilson asked: “Has APRA encountered examples where a lesser performing fund is seeking a merger partner, but is unable to find a willing successor fund?”
“Have APRA been approached by potential successor funds seeking advice or relief in order to receive underperforming assets in a merger with a lesser-performing fund?”.
He then asked what guidance APRA would offer to successor funds and lesser-performing funds which were considering a merger.
“Has APRA considered contingency measures to protect the value of (members) assets in underperforming funds that are unlikely to find a willing merger?” Whish-Wilson asked.
The research house has offered a silver lining after super fund returns saw the end of a five-month streak last month.
A survey of almost 6,000 fund members has identified weakening retirement confidence, particularly among those under 55 years of age, signalling an opportunity for super funds to better engage with members on their retirement journey.
The funds have confirmed the signing of a successor fund transfer deed, moving closer to creating a new $29 billion entity.
A number of measures, including super on Paid Parental Leave, funding to recover unpaid super, and frameworks to encourage investment in the energy transition, have been welcomed by the superannuation industry.
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