The ASIC report into death benefit claims revealing the devastating impact of poor industry practices on grieving Australians has again highlighted the pressing need for change. While some funds have taken up the cudgels, others are still playing hardball on improving their service offering.
A Retirement Income Covenant obligation notwithstanding, there is still a paucity of these complex products on offer. The Advice Through Superannuation draft legislation might offer a way forward.
Big multi-asset mandates up for grabs
Taiwan’s Bureau of Labor Funds (BLF) has gone to tender with US$5.3 billion worth of new investment mandates, including four for the increasingly popular multi-asset partnerships.
The mandates are for global multi-asset and enhanced Asia-Pacific mixed equity under its four affiliate labour pensions and national pension schemes. In Australia, Sunsuper announced last month its new multi-asset partnership, for an as-yet unspecified amount, choosing Neuberger Berman and JP Morgan Investment Management.
The BLF said in a statement that the total size of the global multi-asset mandate amounts to US$3.2 billion. Of this, US$1.8 billion will be mandated to four selected managers for the Labor Pension Fund’s (LPF’s) defined contribution New Scheme. Each will receive US$450 million.
A further US$600 million will be mandated to four selected managers for the LPF’s defined benefit Old Scheme, where US$150 million will be delegated to each manager, the Hong Kong-based newsletter Asia Asset Management reported last week.
Another $800 million will be granted to four selected managers for the Labor Insurance Fund (LIF). Each will be awarded a quota of US$200 million.
The total amount of the enhanced Asia-Pacific mixed equity mandate is US$2.1 billion. US$1.5 billion of which will be outsourced to three selected managers for the LPF’s New Scheme, with US$500 million to be mandated to each manager. US$300 million will be allotted to three managers for the LIF. Each will receive US$100 million. As well, US$300 million will be granted to three managers for the National Pension Insurance Fund (NPIF). Each will receive US$100 million.
The bureau stated that eligible applicants must have global assets under management of no less than US$5 billion and relevant investment track records for three years up to September 30, 2015.
The duration of the appointments is five years. The two mandates will be open for submissions until January 25, 2016, Asia Asset Management said.
