Superannuation assets have started to normalise to pre-early release to superannuation scheme levels with assets totalling $3.3 trillion at the end of the June 2021 quarter, according to data.
Data from the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) found this was a 14.7% increase in the value of total super assets due to strong investment performance and positive contributions to growth.
APRA said total contributions ($127 billion) increased 5% for the year ending June 2021. Over this period, employer contributions ($98.5 billion) increased 1.9%, of which superannuation guarantee contributions ($74.1 billion) increased 4.3%. Member contributions ($28.5 billion) increased 17.1%, of which personal contributions ($26.5 billion) increased 17.3%.
The data also found total benefit payments ($94.4 billion) declined 5.5% for the year ending June 2021.
“Over this period, lump-sum payments ($55.8 billion) declined 5.3%, and pension payments ($38.6 billion) declined 5.8% representing normalisation to pre-early release scheme levels,” APRA said.
“Consequently, net contribution flows were $34.2 billion for the year ending June 2021, a 44.3% increase over the previous year.”
The regulator has fined two super funds for misleading sustainability and investment claims, citing ongoing efforts to curb greenwashing across the sector.
Super funds have extended their winning streak, with balanced options rising 1.3 per cent in October amid broad market optimism.
Introducing a cooling off period in the process of switching super funds or moving money out of the sector could mitigate the potential loss to fraudulent behaviour, the outgoing ASIC Chair said.
Widespread member disengagement is having a detrimental impact on retirement confidence, AMP research has found.