Superannuation funds might end the year in negative territory for the first time since 2011 because of the recent market volatility, financial advisory firm Dixon Advisory said.
According to Dixon’s head of advice, Nerida Cole, super fund members should prepare themselves for more volatility which would be driven by the ongoing US-China trade dispute, Italian budget crisis, rising interest rates in the US, slowing in the Chinese economy and a slowing Australian property market. And on top of that would come the complexity of Brexit, she said.
“The big detractors this year were Asian and European share markets – and people with more of their money in these regions would be facing bigger drops,” Cole noted.
“If we see markets continue to fall over the next two weeks – super funds could end up in negative territory.”
Looking ahead, Cole reminded investors they should take a more cautious approach towards investments and check how their super was invested, including spread between shares and cash and whether this mix was right for them.
Investors should also pay a closer attention and review their long-term returns, taking into account the Productivity Commission’s indications that the average valanced funds would return around six per cent per year over the last 10 years.
“In short, there is no need to settle for a fund that’s not working for you and certainly no need to settle for an underperforming fund,” she said.
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.