Super

Prompted by advice industry rationalisation, the Levy review and the need for a united voice in Canberra, the two major associations will invite members to provide feedback on a proposed merger.

Fee raises at the nation’s biggest super fund have raised questions about the benefits of scale. If Australian Super has to increase fees, what chance do smaller funds have?

Funds have adapted to the test’s metrics, but the consequent risk aversion could put the industry in “limp mode” and curb performance.

Morningstar has released a research paper citing how “abysmal” Australia’s portfolio holdings disclosure requirements are for superannuation funds.

The CEO of the SMSF Association, John Maroney, will step down after the 2023 National Conference in Melbourne after nearly six years in the position.

News that Australian Super had reported a negative return of just 2.7 per cent for the FY22 financial year likely came as a surprise to many.

Research houses and Chant West and SuperRatings have released lists of the top performing superannuation funds for 2021-22, and leading both lists is Hostplus’ Balanced fund.

While the focus of the advice industry groups has very much been around making the day to day lives of those in the industry easier, the likes of the AFCA, Vanguard and several law firms have offered insight into the impact on the consumer.

2022 has marked just the fifth financial year of negative returns since the SG became compulsory in 1992. This should not be a surprising result.

The term “hold on for dear life” came to explain the events of 2020 and 2021, as did “buy the dip.” For those beginning investing for the first time their experience couldn’t have been more positive.

Gold has a colourful history, going back thousands of years, as a means to store and transport wealth and a way to help protect against the inflationary impacts on currency buying power.

News that the rollout of the Your Future Your Super (YFYS) test beyond My Super products would be paused has been met with positive and negative commentary from the investment industry.