Cbus and Media Super have agreed to move to the next stage of their merger process with the integration of investment, administration and operations.
The two funds jointly announced the move to the next stage with a view to finishing the process by the end of next year, with both funds retaining their separate brands.
The merger will result in a fund managing approximately $60 billion on behalf of 840,000 members.
Announcing that the due diligence process had opened the way to the next stage in the merger process, Cbus Super chair, Steve Bracks said the process had provided an independent assessment that the merger was in the best interests of members.
Media Super chair, Susan Heaney said there would be no change to Media Super’s core focus on the printing, entertainment, arts and media industry.
“As part of a larger fund, our members will benefit from the cost benefits of increased scale, access to new opportunities in investments and ever-improving products and services,” she said.
Australia’s largest super funds have deepened private markets exposure, scaled internal investment capability, and balanced liquidity as competition and consolidation intensify.
The ATO has revealed nearly $19 billion in lost and unclaimed super, urging over 7 million Australians to reclaim their savings.
The industry super fund has launched a new digital experience designed to make retirement preparation simpler and more personalised for its members.
A hold in the cash rate during the upcoming November monetary policy meeting appears to now be a certainty off the back of skyrocketing inflation during the September quarter.