There are expected to be eight funds with more than $125 billion in funds under management by 2025, according to KPMG.
In its Super Insights 2022 report, KPMG said there were 12 funds managing more than $75 billion and that this would likely increase to $125 billion as the volume of assets grew.
Similarly, total pension payments were expected to increase to $100 billion by 2040, up from $30 billion now.
“This system growth requires super funds to consider their investment strategies and governance arrangements. It is fair to say there is an operational need for investment governance arrangements to become more efficient, proactive and adaptive to internal and external market factors.
“The anticipated rate at which net system inflow capital will need to deploy into active/passive investment strategies has not been seen in the Australian system at the levels anticipated over the next 10 years and historic decision-making frameworks will need to evolve at pace.”
This would require super funds to improve access to investment opportunities, realise economies of scale, address mandate constraints and enhance internal capabilities.
It was also critical that funds maintained strong investment governance arrangements, continue to invest in portfolio management and risk systems, optimise custody arrangements of investment data and consistently look to improve accountability for delegated investment decisions.
Jim Chalmers has defended changes to the Future Fund’s mandate, referring to himself as a “big supporter” of the sovereign wealth fund, amid fierce opposition from the Coalition, which has pledged to reverse any changes if it wins next year’s election.
In a new review of the country’s largest fund, a research house says it’s well placed to deliver attractive returns despite challenges.
Chant West analysis suggests super could be well placed to deliver a double-digit result by the end of the calendar year.
Specific valuation decisions made by the $88 billion fund at the beginning of the pandemic were “not adequate for the deteriorating market conditions”, according to the prudential regulator.