QSuper has completed its merger with Sunsuper to create a combined fund with more than $230 billion in funds under management.
Now known as Australian Retirement Trust, it would have over two million members and 2,500 employees.
Chief executive, Bernard Reilly, said: “Since the signing of a Heads of Agreement in March last year we’ve worked hard to bring our two strong super funds together.
“In that time, we’ve appointed our board and executive team, worked through a range of legal and regulatory approvals to make the merger possible, developed and announced a new brand for the Fund, and commenced the cultural integration of our two teams.
“As the second largest super fund in the industry, we’ll leverage our size and scale to seek out world-class investment opportunities for our members and deliver enhanced products and services and lower fees.”
Following the merger, fixed weekly administration fees would be cut from $1.50 to $1.20 per week for Super Saver members and from 0.16% to 0.15% for Australian Retirement Trust QSuper account members, subject to approval.
It said it would continue to integrate the two fund’s investment portfolios and technology over the next two years.
The Federal Court has ordered AustralianSuper to pay $27 million for failures to address multiple member accounts.
The country’s fourth-largest fund is targeting the “missing middle” of members with a new digital advice service in partnership with Ignition Advice.
The prudential regulator confirmed it is considering BUSSQ’s Federal Court appeal.
The Albanese government has put forward a bold proposal to tackle the challenges of Australia’s swelling retirement pool, in an effort to allow superannuation funds to play a more active role in shaping members’ retirement outcomes.