Ahead of tomorrow night’s Federal Budget, a leading financial advisory firm has warned that both economic and political uncertainty could have long-term impacts on Australians’ retirement savings.
Dixon Advisory yesterday cautioned that, as superannuation investments were reliant on a strong Australian economy, the super industry could be facing a tough year as the nation heads into a Federal election and possible slowdown in the economy.
Lower profits for Australian businesses would naturally impact the domestic share market, in which super funds tend to have high allocations. There was also potential for an interest rate cut, which could impact those already retired by reducing the income they earn from cash savings and term deposits.
In the face of challenges such as these, Dixon Advisory head of advice, Nerida Cole, said that Australians needed certainty about what policy changes were ahead in the superannuation space before the election.
“It’s vital that the rest of the Protecting Super Package announced in last years’ Budget as well as the is addressed by the Australian Parliament as soon as possible,” she said, also flagging that clarity was needed on how the Productivity Commission’s superannuation report would be progressed.
Superannuation has been used as somewhat of a political football in recent Federal Budgets but there is cautious optimism in the industry that Treasurer Josh Frydenberg won’t do so tomorrow night.
The Future Fund’s CIO Ben Samild has announced his resignation, with his deputy to assume the role of interim CIO.
The fund has unveiled reforms to streamline death benefit payments, cut processing times, and reduce complexity.
A ratings firm has placed more prominence on governance in its fund ratings, highlighting that it’s not just about how much money a fund makes today, but whether the people running it are trustworthy, disciplined, and able to deliver for members in the future.
AMP has reached an agreement in principle to settle a landmark class action over fees charged to members of its superannuation funds, with $120 million earmarked for affected members.