Superannuation fund members are least enthusiastic about television advertising despite super funds focusing much of their marketing on it.
That's the finding from CoreData's 2014 Member Growth Report, which found members rank TV advertising as second last in terms of preferred super communication, with sponsorship for sporting teams or entertainment events coming in last. Television advertising scored 1.1 out of 10.
Members most commonly said (51.2 per cent) they have seen super fund communications and marketing through TV advertising in the past 12 months.
"Splashing your brand on the TV might be cutting through to members in terms of awareness but it is not an engaging communication tool for members, who would much prefer to hear from their fund via e-mail," head of financial services at CoreData Kristen Turnbull said.
Turnbull also suggested funds should provide economic and investment commentary on the news like banks, with 65.1 per cent of the respondents preferring this method.
Meanwhile, retail fund members are most likely to switch (64.8 per cent), while self-managed super fund members are least likely to switch (38.1 per cent). This means retail members are least likely to be happy with their fund (52.1 per cent).
Members rated robust investment returns and low fees as the top drivers to join a fund, with a score of 9.4 and 8.4 out of 10 respectively.
Also, 65.6 per cent of the 858 respondents in APRA-regulated funds said they would not be comfortable with any merger activity in their fund.
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.