Superannuation funds will have to virtually compete on fees and performance to attract members under a new regime foreshadowed by the Federal Government in Tuesday’s Budget.
Under the Your Future, Your Super package regime announced by the Federal Treasurer, Josh Frydenberg announced an annual objective performance test for superannuation funds.
As well, superannuation funds will be required to hold Annual Members’ Meetings in the same fashion as the annual general meetings of publicly-listed companies.
He said that those funds that failed to meet those test objectives and were regarded as persistently underperforming would be prevented from taking on new members.
“To protect members from poor outcomes and encourage funds to lower costs the Government will require superannuation products to meet an annual objective performance test,” he said. “Those that fail will be required to inform members. Persistently underperforming products will be prevented from taking on new members.”
“The Government will increase trustee accountability by strengthening their obligations to ensure trustees only act in the best financial interests of members. The Government will also require superannuation funds to provide better information regarding how they manage and spend members’ money in advance of Annual Members’ Meetings,” Frydenberg said.
The two funds have announced the signing of a non-binding MOU to explore a potential merger.
The board must shift its focus from managing inflation to stimulating the economy with the trimmed mean inflation figure edging closer to the 2.5 per cent target, economists have said.
ASIC chair Joe Longo says superannuation trustees must do more to protect members from misconduct and high-risk schemes.
Super fund mergers are rising, but poor planning during successor fund transfers has left members and employers exposed to serious risks.