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Super And Positive Employer Branding

Remuneration Benefits

The modern workplace has become increasingly complicated and so employers are now faced with much more to manage – but are they getting it right? It appears we still have quite a way to go and quite a lot to learn.

How well any business attracts, retains, and motivates employees is dependent on a number of factors – such as financial compensation, workplace culture, team dynamics, skills development and training, the existence of a clear strategy and much more. Some of these factors are tangible and then others are intangible.

If you’re aiming to be one of the best employers in your market, then it’s important to identify how you score on different tangible and intangible factors and where you might improve.

It is easier to change your performance on any tangible factor than it is to improve any intangible factor.

Financial Benefits

Most employers have a clear salary or wage structure in place, recognising it’s importance as an attractive benefit for employees but rarely do they go to as much trouble to position super as an employee benefit, mainly because they view it as too difficult to manage. Salaries and wages provide for an employee’s current financial needs and their investment in super provides for an income for future needs in retirement. Current legislation provides for an increase in employer contributions to super but there is some argument in the media that this increase will replace wages growth, a consideration being politically debated at present.

Super as a Remuneration Benefit

Many employers and employees do not have a deep technical understanding of employer super, the value proposition of their product provider and the quality of the service being delivered.

Most decisions these days are leave well enough alone as far as employer super is concerned and, anyway, every employee is welcome to exercise choice of fund.

Unfortunately, this is not really the right way to do things in modern times as any medium to large sized employer can negotiate an employer plan at discount rates and also further express their brand with an innovative approach to plan design.

Current Government Legislation

While the government doesn’t often make any long term announcements about where they are taking super, I am sure they know what they are doing to arrive at a certain destination. That does not mean it will be better managed or indeed managed in anyone else’s best interests.

So government initiatives around super have been plentiful in most years but especially so since the Royal Commission of 2018. Recently announced or implemented initiatives involve:

o The APRA heat map which examines product based upon a defined service model

o “Your Future, Your Super” announced in the recent federal budget, involving stapling an employee’s first super account as he or she changes employers

o The government intends to regulate so they can stop certain products taking on new employees which is one step away from closing a product which does not deliver to their expectations

o The government intends to apply a new regulation to trustees where decisions must be framed in the best financial interest of members

o The ATO has been given a budget to save on fees as charged and in particular to create a super product comparator around fees and performance

Surely a well organised and informed industry can best manage super as the employer funded employee entitlement it is. Super is a personal asset and not a community asset. Australia has successfully created a retirement savings pool of $3 trillion. While service outcomes need to be improved, there is a significant opportunity being missed by medium and large sized employers to better manage their employee’s motivation by making a statement of brand value in paying attention to their existing product provider and whether or not best value is being delivered through employer super.

What to do?

AXIS Financial Group has specific service beliefs in all activities and especially around employer super as a remuneration benefit:

o Work out what you need to know

o Seek out the relevant information

o Do not make a decision until you have the information you need

o Do not simply rely on the information being provided by your existing product provider

o Do not rely on an alternative product provider as they will simply want your custom

o Analyse, analyse and then analyse the data

o Make an informed decision

o Hold your service provider accountable

If you want to know more or you are seeking a source of information, please contact AXIS on 1800 111 299 or feel free to send me an email at harry.burke@axisfg.com.au.

This document was prepared and issued by AXIS Financial Group (ABN 21 092 889 579, AFSL 233680). The information contained within it is not advice. It provides general information only and does not take into account your individual objectives, financial situation or needs. You should assess whether the information is appropriate for you and consider talking with your financial adviser before making an investment decision. Information in this publication, which is taken from sources other than AXIS Financial Group, is believed to be accurate. However, subject to any contrary provision in any applicable law, neither AXIS Financial Group, nor its employees and directors, provide any warranty of accuracy or reliability in relation to such information or accepts any liability to any person who relies on it.

Let’s talk about the right super fit for your employees.

Mitsui & Co. (Australia) Ltd engaged AXIS Financial Group in reviewing the existing employer super arrangements and clarifying which product provider might be best for Mitsui & Co. (Australia) Ltd and it’s group of companies.

AXIS Financial Group provided a concise explanation as to who might be best and why, in particular ensuring that the internal project team had the information to feel confident as decisions were made. The project team moved from arguably being daunted by the prospect of improving this particular employer funded employee entitlement and better understood how to manage super as a remuneration benefit through the detailed analysis and explanation provided by AXIS Financial Group

Antony Auliso
General Manager - Human Resources Division
Mitsui & Co. (Australia) Ltd

I want to thank AXIS Financial Group for their efforts in handling insurance claims on behalf of the employees of WesTrac. From the moment AXIS Financial Group were appointed to the task, they moved so seamlessly into position and have made sure that WesTrac is not only better serviced as a result but also more informed about claims progress. I also note the outstanding results achieved by AXIS with respect to marketing and placement of our employer super policy.

It seems nothing is a problem for the AXIS team and I would commend all employers to consider this service.

Gary Carter
Group Insurance Manager
WesTrac Pty Ltd

AXIS Financial Group’s knowledge of employer super is second to none.

DXC tasked AXIS Financial Group with consolidating multiple superannuation funds to a
single company-wide default fund. They delivered, displaying superior knowledge of their
industry, along with the highest level of service and diligence.
From start to finish – the initial analysis of our previous funds, the detailed tender process,
the transition to our new fund, and post-transition – AXIS Financial Group always made
themselves available for support.
We strongly recommend speaking to AXIS Financial Group for all matters relating to
employer super.

Michael McGoldrick
Director, Compensation Asia Pacific
DXC Technology