CareSuper chief executive Julie Lander has warned there is a big difference between a member controlling their own money compared to administering their own fund.
The complexity of reporting, compliance requirements and high costs associated with self-managed super funds (SMSFs) could result in greater financial pressures for retirees.
"Many investors attracted to establishing an SMSF have little understanding of ongoing compliance costs and the severe fines they potentially face if they don't comply with a raft of complex regulatory requirements," Lander said.
Adviser fees pushed costs up even further, according to Lander.
"What brings this cost into question is that a majority of SMSFs are invested in cash, term deposits and Australian equities," she said.
"These investment options are available via CareSuper at a fraction of the cost."
The not-for-profit super fund launched a direct investment option last December in response to the needs of investors who did not want the burden of trustee obligations.
The ASX300 investment option will be expanded to include term deposits, exchange-traded funds and listed securities this year.
Other funds to incorporate direct investment options include Club Plus Super, AustralianSuper, legalsuper and Telstra Super.
Superannuation funds have posted another year of strong returns, but this time, the gains weren’t powered solely by Silicon Valley.
Australia’s $4.1 trillion superannuation system is doing more than funding retirements – it’s quietly fuelling the nation’s productivity, lifting GDP, and adding thousands to workers’ pay packets, according to new analysis from the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA).
Large superannuation accounts may need to find funds outside their accounts or take the extreme step of selling non-liquid assets under the proposed $3 million super tax legislation, according to new analysis from ANU.
Economists have been left scrambling to recalibrate after the Reserve Bank wrong-footed markets on Tuesday, holding the cash rate steady despite widespread expectations of a cut.