The $7 billion Military Superannuation and Benefits Scheme has increased member communication in preparation for the proposed introduction of member investment choice to the fund’s $1 billion accumulation option on July 1.
At present, the accumulation assets are invested through one option, which has 85 per cent placed in growth assets. However, Military Super chairman Charles Kiefel says although most of the fund’s membership is under 30 years of age, other options are necessary for those close to retirement.
“It is important for a general nearing retirement to be able to move his money into more conservative options,” he says.
The responsible investment body is warning that a one-size-fits-all ESG framework mirroring those in the UK and the EU could do more harm than good.
Australian super funds are monitoring the US closely as President Donald Trump increasingly intervenes in corporate policy, moves that are reverberating through global markets and prompting reassessments of portfolio risk.
Industry fund HESTA has filed an appeal against an ATO decision on tax offsets from franking credits, with the Australian Retirement Trust set to file a similar claim soon.
The latest superannuation performance test results have shown improvements, but four in 10 trustee-directed products continue to exhibit “significant investment underperformance”, warns APRA.