News

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.

The Coalition has pledged to give young Australians access to up to $50,000 in their retirement savings to get a toehold in the housing market. Super funds say it will only further inflate property prices.

Regulators are on red alert as this technology spreads like wildfire, presenting increasing issues, risks and challenges for global financial markets.

In the wake of the Hayne Royal Commission, industry funds reigned supreme. It has taken more than five years, but the for-profit funds are finally back in the game as the not for profits increasingly struggle to service members nearing or in retirement.

While ESG and diversity have been caught up in the political headwinds in the US, this investment strategy, approaching $US2 trillion in funds under management, is well placed to not only survive but thrive.

While the White House’s economic nostrums are rattling the markets, the long-term outlook for commercial and investment relations between the two countries is positive, with a recent summit in the US further cementing ties.

Despite being a growing reservoir of funds under management, this critically important pool of capital is confronting mounting problems collating and disseminating key data in a timely manner.

The ratings house is pinning its growth strategy on a revamped methodology that increases the emphasis on governance to 25 per cent – a timely move considering APRA’s proposed reforms.

If the regulator’s proposal to limit board tenure to 10 years takes effect, then many non-executive board members will be in the firing line, with industry funds likely to have the most casualties.

The wealth transfer from Baby Boomers to their offspring, which is in full swing, has got the taxman’s full attention, especially as it pertains to capital gains payments, trust structures and potential breaches of the Tax Act’s Division 7A.

While equities came out of the blocks like Usain Bolt in January, propelled by strong domestic and international share markets, a White House committed to tariffs and slowing interest rate cuts could still derail investment returns in 2025.