The Financial Services Council (FSC) has shown itself as one of the few industry bodies to endorse the Productivity Commission’s final report on superannuation since its public release this morning, as it welcomed its changes to default super selection processes.
As industry fund bodies express their disappointment with final report, FSC chief executive, Sally Loane, praised the Commission’s changes to default superannuation fund selection to see employers and unions removed from the process.
“Taking default superannuation out of the industrial relations system and putting choice into the hands of consumers should be the cornerstone of a modern superannuation system,” Loane said.
The FSC also welcomed the Commission’s call for a binding and enforceable code for insurance in super, noting that its own superannuation trustee members would be bound by its Life Insurance Code of Practice from 30 June, 2021.
Loane expressed concern however, that the Commission’s determination to stand by its recommendation to have just 10 default super options could “create a monolithic concentration of funds, stifle competition and create huge barriers for innovate new products”.
The super fund announced that Gregory has been appointed to its executive leadership team, taking on the fresh role of chief advice officer.
The deputy governor has warned that, as super funds’ overseas assets grow and liquidity risks rise, they will need to expand their FX hedge books to manage currency exposure effectively.
Super funds have built on early financial year momentum, as growth funds deliver strong results driven by equities and resilient bonds.
The super fund has announced that Mark Rider will step down from his position of chief investment officer (CIO) after deciding to “semi-retire” from full-time work.