Instances of underperforming superannuation funds continue to persist as the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) has issued formal notices to eight trustees in relation to the underperformance of 10 MySuper products.
Speaking at the Senate Economics Legislation Committee, APRA chair, Wayne Byres, said the authority was finding out what actions the trustees were making to address their underperformance.
Byres also said there was continuing momentum on fund mergers since June last year and six had been completed so far.
“There are now 164 APRA-regulated funds, well down on the 279 funds that existed when the Stronger Super reforms were introduced in 2013,” he said.
“This consolidation has helped drive better governance, stronger performance and lower costs, although we still see plenty of scope for further consolidation and efficiency within the industry.
“There is also still more to do in relation to fund underperformance.”
Byres noted APRA would release new reporting standards for its superannuation heatmaps with more granular information on performance, costs, and expenditure.
The heatmaps would also expand beyond MySuper products during the second half of this year.
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.