The new industry super landscape will be one of large mega-funds and smaller specialist ones, according to respondents from a Buchan Consulting thought leadership series.
Super fund respondents saw the most likely outcome of current legislation as increasing consolidation in the industry.
There would be no room for medium-sized funds in the new industry super environment, with one respondent saying mid-tier funds would spend the next five years looking for merger partners.
The majority said corporate funds would continue to be pressured, particularly as modern awards under Fair Work Australia rolled out.
Respondents did not see the legislation as a threat to member retention. However, funds were bolstering retention programs in response to growth in the self-managed super sector and the rise of the big four banks in superannuation.
Some funds felt they had lessened the self-managed threat by offering similar investment options within the fund, and believed the sector's growth would start to plateau.
Most respondents, and particularly industry fund executives, highlighted the big four as principle threats.
They said as data became more streamlined, banks were seen as natural aggregators across most areas of consumer finance and had more funds to invest in marketing and cross-subsidisation.
A ratings firm has placed more prominence on governance in its fund ratings, highlighting that it’s not just about how much money a fund makes today, but whether the people running it are trustworthy, disciplined, and able to deliver for members in the future.
AMP has reached an agreement in principle to settle a landmark class action over fees charged to members of its superannuation funds, with $120 million earmarked for affected members.
Australia’s second-largest super fund is prioritising impact investing with a $2 billion commitment, targeting assets that deliver a combination of financial, social, and environmental outcomes.
The super fund has significantly grown its membership following the inclusion of Zurich’s OneCare Super policyholders.