Five years on from the introduction of the MySuper default arrangements, Frontier Advisors has warned that adopting a lifecycle strategy, which account for around 35 per cent of all funds in the market, can come at the cost a potential lower balance at retirement for clients.
Research by the advisory firm suggested that construction of such strategies to have a retirement income focus rather than retirement benefit could result in the same or better member outcomes, while maintain the protection against sequencing risk that is a key appeal of lifecycle options.
The research paper argued that having better defined member cohorts, an increased focus on the post-retirement phase, and varied fees to reflect underlying investment mixes could help achieve this.
“Lifecycle products may well be appropriate for disengaged members, but engaging the members is likely to be an even better outcome,” Frontier’s head of member solutions research, principal consultant David Carruthers said.
“There is also a risk this perpetuates a low level of engagement for the funds themselves who may well think the job is done at a time when they should be regularly checking in with older members to ensure their strategies are fit for purpose at that stage of life.”
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.