Funds on the threshold of merging have been urged to lobby the government for the continuation of the Capital Gains Tax (CGT) relief for merged funds in order to prevent large amounts being shaved off members’ balances.
Pauline Vamos, chief executive of Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA), said the average loss a fund carries into a merger is currently 2.6 per cent. Should the CGT relief be discontinued as of 1 July, 2011, these costs will be passed on to members.
“Which is a lot, particularly off smaller balances,” Vamos said.
“For any funds merging or thinking of merging in the next six-to-12 months please talk to me, or send a letter straight down to Treasury and the minister, explaining how and how much will be shaved off a member’s account if you merge carrying losses,” she added.
Vamos said the Treasury had put an amount of $10 million on the CGT relief, but that ASFA would be going to Canberra again to advocate that the relief was not a revenue item and should not be considered as such.
The issue of extending the CGT relief was one recommendation that was omitted from the Stronger Super reforms, which Vamos said is causing her concern.
“We must not ignore the recommendations that have not been supported by the Government — because they will make the package whole,” she said.
Vamos added that over the coming year, ASFA would be advocating for the inclusion of “important but forgotten” recommendations.
The super fund announced that Gregory has been appointed to its executive leadership team, taking on the fresh role of chief advice officer.
The deputy governor has warned that, as super funds’ overseas assets grow and liquidity risks rise, they will need to expand their FX hedge books to manage currency exposure effectively.
Super funds have built on early financial year momentum, as growth funds deliver strong results driven by equities and resilient bonds.
The super fund has announced that Mark Rider will step down from his position of chief investment officer (CIO) after deciding to “semi-retire” from full-time work.