Superannuation fund returns have moved firmly back into positive territory and are likely to remain there for the foreseeable future, according to the findings of the IUS/Super Review Super Outlook 2004 survey.
What is more important, while most (72.7 per cent) respondents indicated they were expecting single digit returns, a solid 20.8 per cent indicated they were expecting double digit returns.
Reflecting the fact that some funds are continuing to struggle, 6 per cent of respondents indicated they were expecting mildly negative returns this year.
On the question of services to members, most survey respondents indicated they believed their funds had got the mix right (70.2 per cent), with 28.1 per cent indicating they believed they have too few services on offer and that some improvement is warranted.
However, when it comes to the types of services offered, respondents indicate a mixture of views on what is appropriate, ranging from the provision of financial advice and providing lump sum and total permanent accident and sickness benefits through to income protectioninsurance.
Importantly, the survey revealed a number of misconceptions, with providing access to mortgage finance and retail discounts being rated as relatively low priority services.
