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Who Owns Your Super?

Who’s really in control of your super? Since the introduction of compulsory super in 1992, the financial services industry would appear to have had control of super as an asset. They developed and maintained the product and promoted their service models to the public.   

However, their control over the asset seems to be coming to an end, most noticeably as a consequence of the last major investigation into just part of the financial services industry in the Royal Commission of 2018.  The Royal Commission exposed many of the bad practices in the industry that have existed since its inception.   

So, who is now taking control of super?

  • Get in touch. We are here to support you.

The break-up of your super asset

The first point to note is that super is an employer sponsored benefit. However, very few employers take full advantage of it as a benefit for their employees. In fact, most avoid managing it as much as they can. In short, employers have not assumed any level of control around super as an employee benefit.

In turn, most employees ignore their super, and consequently end up with multiple accounts and a retirement income stream that is less than optimal. 

Progressively, government regulation around super has become more and more invasive.  It is clear that the government believes they have to control the management of your super.

The government is now manoeuvring to take more and more control over employer super under their MySuper based service.

The recent review by APRA where some MySuper models pass scrutiny and then some fail has been publicised and possibly misunderstood by the public as a statement around the product as opposed to a question of the wrong investment strategy.  

Individual clients serviced by AXIS often ask ”Someone else is looking after my asset? Aren’t they?”

Whose ownership strategy?

Based upon any examination of activity around super, it would appear there are three models around employer super:

  1. There is the platform model traditionally presented by the likes of the various master trusts and industry funds, with modern awards also having an influence
  2. Then there is the MySuper Investment Default model, the approach gaining more and more attention from the government, where regulation of product choice and performance is being assumed by the government without reference to the employees who “own” the individual account balance. It is clear that this government intervention is in disagreement with the traditional model presented by the financial services industry and the government has been very successful in tarnishing the reputation of Australia’s financial institutions
  3. There is an alternative model which is beginning to receive more attention and is based on the premise that the employees who own the asset, even if they have not properly controlled it, can be easily persuaded to engage with their super as a wealth creation plan.  The presentation of super as a remuneration benefit to a workforce requires the involvement of three parties:
    • The employer to promote and manage super as a remuneration benefit
    • The engagement of an adviser service, who operate under their own Australian Financial Services License and have the proven ability to deliver personal advice at an individual account level
    • The appointment of the best platform arrangement, with a focus on a competitive cost structure but with the right features to enable both contribution and investment strategies

Which service model might work best?

When compulsory super started back in the nineties, this was the million dollar question.  Nowadays, I would have to say that the question of the future model of optimising your super at the point of retirement is now the trillion dollar question. 

The broad message coming from the government is that the financial services industry is not to be trusted but is the government prepared to explain how they are funding their program of infrastructure spend across Australia and what proportion of this spend is being funded from super?

If the government is imposing the MySuper Default Investment model, they are possibly assuming more control than you realise.  

Super as a controversy

It’s easy to land in the wrong place if we don’t think about the process as it evolves. 

Super should be managed as a personal asset and the financial services industry must provide a tailored and personal service at individual account level, in optimising everyone’s projected income in retirement.

Feel free to contact AXIS Financial Group by calling 1800 111 299 and asking to speak with one of our consultants, be it myself, Harry, or Roy or Richard.

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.

Testimonials

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