Industry super funds collected more contributions than public sector funds this quarter, although both took the lion’s share over corporate funds, according to the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority’s Quarterly Superannuation Performance to the end of March 2012.
Industry funds received 32.6 per cent of total funds during the March quarter, accounting for $6.6 billion. Public sector funds took 32.1 per cent, or $6.5 billion, while corporate funds collected $872 million amounting to 4.3 per cent.
The total estimated assets of industry super funds increased by 7.3 per cent or $17.9 billion to $264.5 billion, public sector assets by 6.3 per cent and retail funds’ assets by 5.2 per cent.
Employers contributed $16.9 billion and members $3.1 billion towards the total contributions to funds with at least $50 million in assets over the March quarter. Spouse, government and other contributions totalled $137 million.
March brought more outward rollovers than inward rollovers, with negative net rollovers for industry funds sitting at $17 million, $342 million for corporate funds, $698 million for public sector and $839 million for retail funds.
The combined rate of return for the quarter was 5.4 per cent, with funds’ returns varying by a maximum of 0.2 per cent.
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.