Australian Retirement Trust, the newly-combined QSuper and Sunsuper entity, is to merge with Australia Post Superannuation Scheme (APSS).
A merger would allow the $8 billion APSS fund to benefit from significant economies of scale and followed a three-year review to find the best merger partner. It had previously announced it would be merging with Sunsuper last March, before the fund merged with QSuper to become Australian Retirement Trust.
APSS independent chairman, Mark Birrell, said: “Three years ago, the APSS initiated a review of the best ways to serve the long-term financial interests of our members and we are delighted that this competitive process sees us choosing to make a successor fund transfer into Australian Retirement Trust”.
The change was due to take place on 30 April, 2022 and Australian Retirement Trust would establish a dedicated Australia Post corporate plan to maintain APSS’ defined benefits.
APSS member accumulation balances would be transferred to the comparable Australian Retirement Trust investment products.
The two funds have announced the signing of a non-binding MOU to explore a potential merger.
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Super fund mergers are rising, but poor planning during successor fund transfers has left members and employers exposed to serious risks.