Govt's MySuper approach flawed and inconsistent
Superannuation fund members who have deliberately chosen to invest in a default option should not be subject to automatic transfer to a MySuper fund, according to the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA).
In a submission responding to the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority's (APRA) draft prudential practice guide, ASFA has also claimed that the Government's legislative approach to MySuper is flawed and not consistent with the Super System Review.
"We consider that the legislative approach of focusing on the underlying investment options and not the member is flawed," the submission said.
"As opposed to being member-centric, the current paradigm reflected in the legislation is focused on MySuper money and choice money, leading to outcomes were a member's status as a MySuper member and/or a choice member can fluctuate daily, or even more frequently, in line with their investment choices," it said.
"By virtue of investment switches a member could be a MySuper member only one day, but a choice and MySuper member the next, a choice member only the next day and back to being a choice and MySuper member the following day."
The ASFA submission said the organisation saw MySuper having a valid role to play with respect to "default" members who had not made any choices, and those members who choose to invest in MySuper.
"For those members who have chosen to participate in a particular fund or in investment choice, however, it is appropriate to treat them as a choice member - they have made choices as to their fund and/or as to the investment of their money," the submission said.
Recommended for you
AMP is to launch a digital advice service to provide retirement advice to members of its AMP Super Fund, in partnership with Bravura Solutions.
Unveiling its performance for the calendar year 2024, AMP has noted a “careful” investment in bitcoin futures proved beneficial for its superannuation members.
SuperRatings has shared the median estimated return for balanced superannuation funds for the calendar year 2024, finding the year achieved “strong and consistent positive” returns.
The second tranche of DBFO reforms has received strong support from superannuation funds and insurers, with a new class of advisers aimed to support Australians with their retirement planning.
