Corporate superannuation funds should consider moving to a master trust agreement or outsourcing to survive the compliance and cost pressures of Stronger Super reforms, according to Mercer.
It said the introduction of Stronger Super reforms would hold corporate superannuation funds to the same standards as banking and insurance companies, essentially turning them into financial institutions.
David Anderson, Mercer's managing director for Australia and New Zealand said funds would need to significantly restructure to survive post the introduction of Stronger Super reforms in October next year.
He said superannuation funds would need to move to a master trust agreement to avoid having to become a financial institution or outsource its services.
"Mercer anticipates the polarisation of the corporate fund segment to accelerate over the next two years - with only the most committed funds continuing to evolve and compete and the rest deciding to outsource," Anderson said.
Funds would need to restructure internally and providing a MySuper account may require renegotiation of insurance contracts, and the revisal of fee structures, investment menus, forms, product disclosure statements and websites.
Anderson estimated the cost to Mercer of Stronger Super reforms will be up to $25 million over the next five years.
Mercer is developing more flexible services and governance models to meet the needs of large corporate super funds, the company said.
The future of superannuation policy remains uncertain, with further reforms potentially on the horizon as the Albanese government seeks to curb the use of superannuation as a bequest vehicle.
Superannuation funds will have two options for charging fees for the advice provided by the new class of adviser.
The proposed reforms have been described as a key step towards delivering better products and retirement experiences for members, with many noting financial advice remains the “urgent missing piece” of the puzzle.
APRA’s latest data has revealed that superannuation funds spent $1.3 billion on advice fees, with the vast majority sent to external financial advisers.