Waste of time engaging the young

2 June 2011
| By Chris Kennedy |

Super funds that are focused on engaging the younger generation are ‘wasting their time’, according to the executive chairman of Financial Synergy, David Orford.

People in their 20s and 30s were too focused on paying off their mortgage, supporting children, and ‘having a good time’ to worry about superannuation, Orford said.

Rather, super funds should be expending their efforts going after members in their 40s and 50s, once they’re relieved of their obligations, and convincing them to contribute their spare money into super, he said.

“What are [super funds] trying to do? These people want to enjoy life while they’re young, and they’ve also got all these obligations to their kids, so don’t bother them, that’s the priority,” he said.

Super funds have long attempted to increase engagement with the younger generation through focus groups, online tools and campaigns in a bid to close the superannuation balance gap.

“Telling members they should be contributing extra into their super fund over 40 years — well tough, it’s not going to be 40 years,” Orford said.

Older members could be encouraged to put off their retirement to make their earnings last longer, salary sacrifice, put together a money package to contribute to their account balance, or reduce their living needs after retirement, Orford said.

Super fund members could still keep earning investment returns after their retirement, he added.

Read more about:

AUTHOR

Recommended for you

sub-bgsidebar subscription

Never miss the latest developments in Super Review! Anytime, Anywhere!

Grant Banner

From my perspective, 40- 50% of people are likely going to be deeply unhappy about how long they actually live. ...

1 year 3 months ago
Kevin Gorman

Super director remuneration ...

1 year 3 months ago
Anthony Asher

No doubt true, but most of it is still because over 45’s have been upgrading their houses with 30 year mortgages. Money ...

1 year 3 months ago

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has warned that significant liquidity pressures could arise in the superannuation sector if multiple risks materialise at once, potent...

3 hours ago

UniSuper’s investment strategy in decarbonisation remains firmly rooted in economic viability rather than political shifts, according to its chief investment officer....

4 hours ago

The $91 billion fund has doubled down on its data security, alongside enhancing its investment strategy, with two key appointments....

4 hours ago

TOP PERFORMING FUNDS

ACS FIXED INT - AUSTRALIA/GLOBAL BOND