Industry funds stand to be amongst those most affected by auto-consolidation, according to Australian Institute of Superannuation Trustees expert David Haynes.
Addressing the Conference of Major Superannuation Funds in Brisbane, Haynes acknowledged that given the growth in group life premiums in the industry funds segment, it was likely they would be most affected.
This was in circumstances where industry funds were the fastest growing segment with respect to life premiums.
Haynes said consolidation in the number of super accounts was imperative in circumstances where there were 28 million super accounts in Australia for just 11 million workers.
He said the challenge had been to find ways of reducing the number of accounts to a reasonable level while at the same time addressing account proliferation.
A member body representing some prominent wealth managers is concerned super funds’ dominance is sidelining small companies in capital markets.
Earlier this month, several Australian superannuation funds fell victim to credential stuffing attacks, which saw a small number of members lose more than $500,000.
Small- to medium-sized funds have become collateral damage in an "imperfect" model for super industry levies, a financial institution has said.
Big business has joined the chorus of opposition against the proposed Division 296 tax.