The Institute of Public Accountants (IPA) has called for more consideration of whether the inefficiencies of the superannuation system are due to a lack of marketplace competition or structural problems in the wake of the Productivity Commission’s report.
While the group supported the Commission’s recommendation for performance benchmarks around returns, fees, level of service and projected retirement income, IPA chief executive, Andrew Conway, noted that greater price transparency had not led to more competition or greatly reduced fees.
“Reforms on the demand side especially around the introduction of standardised products and enhanced transparency of information should result in improved efficiency and innovation in product development,” Conway also said.
“However, competition and efficiency may not always be synonymous as competition which means spending on marketing to gain new members with a focus on profit-making may not improve efficiency.”
The group also argued for attention to be paid to improving financial literacy, as this would improve member engagement which should in turn enhance competition.
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.