![]() |
A UBank survey of customers with self-managed super funds (SMSFs) has revealed that a third have more than 50 per cent of their SMSF in cash.
UBank, National Australia Bank’s direct bank, found that more than half the respondents stated they have no plans to alter their current cash allocation despite improving economic conditions in Australia.
The survey revealed that a significant proportion of respondents blamed the poor performance and high fees of managed funds for their move to a SMSF, and 75 per cent said having control of their own financial destiny was the reason for their move.
“The results of this survey show that more and more people want to take tight control of their own financial destiny at a time of ongoing caution about the economic climate,” said UBank general manager Gerd Schenkel. “That caution is also reflected in the fact that people are reluctant to reduce the cash component in their SMSF — despite economic data suggesting Australia has weathered the storm relatively well.”
The survey also found that 31 per cent were optimistic about the performance of their SMSF in 2010, although 26 per cent stated they still felt cautious about the year ahead.
Some 95 per cent are not considering closing their SMSF to return to managed funds; 59 per cent like the flexibility that an SMSF provides; and nearly half claim the media influences their decisions about the allocation of their investments between cash and equities.
The two funds have announced the signing of a non-binding MOU to explore a potential merger.
The board must shift its focus from managing inflation to stimulating the economy with the trimmed mean inflation figure edging closer to the 2.5 per cent target, economists have said.
ASIC chair Joe Longo says superannuation trustees must do more to protect members from misconduct and high-risk schemes.
Super fund mergers are rising, but poor planning during successor fund transfers has left members and employers exposed to serious risks.