Retirement
APRA chair says 'good enough isn't good enough' for super sector
Wayne Byres discussed the sector at a FINSIA event.
APRA chair says 'good enough isn't good enough' for super sector
Australia’s $3.5 trillion superannuation savings pool is a key asset, but the “system can be better”, the APRA chair has said.
Addressing the Financial Services Institute of Australasia’s (FINSIA) ‘The Regulators’ event on Friday, 13 May, Wayne Byres has called for improvement in the sector.
“Put simply, when it comes to superannuation, good enough isn’t good enough,” Mr Byres said.
“We still have too many trustees that could do better – including, in some cases, by handing their responsibilities to someone else. So, our primary focus continues to be to drive out sub-standard products and practices, using a combination of the government’s annual performance test, our own heatmaps, intensified supervision, and (when needed) what my colleague Margaret Cole referred to as ‘a more muscular approach to enforcement.’”

Mr Byres also addressed the incoming retirement income covenant (RIC) – which will require superannuation trustees to plan and outline a retirement strategy for members – set to come into effect on 1 July.
The prudential regulator chair said the legislation means the provision of retirement products is another area that needs attention.
“As the superannuation system matures, and an increasing proportion of Australians move into the retirement phase, much greater attention needs to be given not just to how superannuation savings are managed, but how they are accessed in retirement.
“This is a space ripe for innovation and new thinking.”
Mr Byres comments come after the Actuaries Institute released a paper last month designed to help superannuation funds navigate the RIC, calling it “crucial for the wellbeing of all Australians”.

Superannuation
Industry leaders weigh in on concessional super tax as Budget confirms $55bn investment
Changes to the taxation of superannuation earnings and contributions have drawn mixed responses from financial and payroll sector leaders, as the Federal Budget confirms over $55 billion in ...Read more

Superannuation
Call for indexation on super tax cap as $3m threshold draws criticism
A senior executive in the superannuation technology sector has criticised the Federal Government for failing to index the proposed $3 million superannuation tax cap, arguing the measure will unfairly ...Read more

Superannuation
Rest members back calls for fairer superannuation rules ahead of Federal Budget
Rest has called on the Federal Government to implement superannuation reforms aimed at improving fairness across the system, after member survey results showed strong support for a range of proposed ...Read more

Superannuation
Rest welcomes progress on ‘Payday Super’ reform
Rest, one of Australia’s largest profit-to-member superannuation funds, has welcomed the Australian Government’s release of draft ‘Payday Super’ legislation, which aims to align Superannuation ...Read more

Superannuation
SuperAPI and Humanforce partner to improve superannuation compliance for one million Australians
Superannuation engagement platform SuperAPI has partnered with human capital management provider Humanforce to streamline payroll and superannuation contributions for more than one million Australian ...Read more

Superannuation
Rest super fund reports 11.19 per cent return for 2024
Rest superannuation fund delivered an 11.19 per cent return in its MySuper Growth investment option for calendar year 2024, marking two consecutive years of positive returns. Read more

Superannuation
Actuaries propose three-tier superannuation tax reform
The Actuaries Institute has outlined major reforms to Australia's $4.1 trillion superannuation system, proposing uniform tax rates and new levies on high retirement withdrawals. Read more

Superannuation
Survey reveals Australians' reliance on superannuation for retirement
A new survey by AustralianSuper has found that only 32% of Australians believe they could save for retirement without compulsory superannuation. Read more

Superannuation
Industry leaders weigh in on concessional super tax as Budget confirms $55bn investment
Changes to the taxation of superannuation earnings and contributions have drawn mixed responses from financial and payroll sector leaders, as the Federal Budget confirms over $55 billion in ...Read more

Superannuation
Call for indexation on super tax cap as $3m threshold draws criticism
A senior executive in the superannuation technology sector has criticised the Federal Government for failing to index the proposed $3 million superannuation tax cap, arguing the measure will unfairly ...Read more

Superannuation
Rest members back calls for fairer superannuation rules ahead of Federal Budget
Rest has called on the Federal Government to implement superannuation reforms aimed at improving fairness across the system, after member survey results showed strong support for a range of proposed ...Read more

Superannuation
Rest welcomes progress on ‘Payday Super’ reform
Rest, one of Australia’s largest profit-to-member superannuation funds, has welcomed the Australian Government’s release of draft ‘Payday Super’ legislation, which aims to align Superannuation ...Read more

Superannuation
SuperAPI and Humanforce partner to improve superannuation compliance for one million Australians
Superannuation engagement platform SuperAPI has partnered with human capital management provider Humanforce to streamline payroll and superannuation contributions for more than one million Australian ...Read more

Superannuation
Rest super fund reports 11.19 per cent return for 2024
Rest superannuation fund delivered an 11.19 per cent return in its MySuper Growth investment option for calendar year 2024, marking two consecutive years of positive returns. Read more

Superannuation
Actuaries propose three-tier superannuation tax reform
The Actuaries Institute has outlined major reforms to Australia's $4.1 trillion superannuation system, proposing uniform tax rates and new levies on high retirement withdrawals. Read more

Superannuation
Survey reveals Australians' reliance on superannuation for retirement
A new survey by AustralianSuper has found that only 32% of Australians believe they could save for retirement without compulsory superannuation. Read more