The Federal Government believes it has closed the door to the superannuation fund corporate hospitality box with the passage through the Senate of key legislation last week.
According to Treasurer, Josh Frydenberg the passage of the Treasury Laws Amendment (Improving Accountability and Member Outcomes in Superannuation Measures No. 1) Bill represented the effective implementation of a key recommendation of the Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking, Superannuation and Financial Services Industry.
In doing so, Frydenberg specifically referenced the Royal Commission’s Recommendation 3.6 that trustees be prohibited from “treating” employers in return for “having the recipient nominate the fund as a default fund for having one or more employees of the recipient apply or agree to become members of the fund”.
The Treasurer said the legislation would also see directors of superannuation funds face criminal penalties for breach of their best interests duty and provide the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) with more powers to deal with underperforming superannuation funds.
Superannuation fees have continued their multi-year decline, as fund consolidation and index investing deliver scale efficiencies for members.
Super funds demand fast passage of payday super laws, while small business advocates warn of cash flow pressures and compliance risks.
The superannuation industry could move faster on personalisation, according to MLC, and the fund has identified three core areas where it will be focusing its personalisation efforts over the next 12 months.
The Actuaries Institute has released a framework to help super funds deliver affordable guidance and advice to millions approaching retirement.