Superannuation assets continue to be a cornerstone of the Australian life insurance sector, accounting for $204.2 billion at the end of September, last year, according to the latest data released by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA).
The data showed superannuation assets represented 88.9 per cent of the total assets backing Australian policyholder liabilities in life office statutory funds.
However, the data also showed that while superannuation assets had increased by 16.6 per cent over the year to the end of September, this had resulted in life office superannuation assets as a percentage of total superannuation assets declining from 23.3 per cent to 21.6 per cent.
The APRA data showed superannuation business accounted for $8 billion in premiums for the quarter, a decrease of 26.3 per cent on the June quarter, but still an increase of 14.6 per cent on the same period in 2005.
It said that for the year to September 30, 2006, superannuation premiums amounted to $34.2 billion — an increase of 8.5 per cent.
It said superannuation business in life offices remained strong and, as a percentage of life office premiums relating to Australian policyholders, represented 86.3 per cent for the quarter and 87.9 per cent for the year ended September 30, 2006.
The insurance company has joined this year’s awards as a principal partner.
The $135 billion fund has transitioned away from TAL Life Insurance following an “extensive tender process”.
The $80 billion fund is facing legal action over allegedly signing up new members to income protection insurance by default without active member consent.
In a Senate submission, the Financial Services Council has once again called for further clarification that the government will assess the consumer outcomes of group insurance against the enshrined objective of superannuation.