2026 Insurance in Super Summit
Insurers pay out $6b through super but awareness gap persists: CALI
New research from the Council of Australian Life Insurers, released ahead of the Investment Magazine Insurance in Super Summit, shows that life insurers paid out almost $6 billion across roughly 54,000 claims through group superannuation policies in the past 12 months – but that most Australians still don’t understand the cover they hold.
Industry & regulation
FAR yet to bare its teeth in superannuation
The alleged conduct that led to the Shield and First Guardian debacle is unlikely to lead to any action under the Financial Accountability Regime. But a new ASIC report into platform trustees may deliver the individual consequences FAR was intended to mete out.
Member engagement
The flaw in SCA’s super ‘mystery shopper’ study
With the superannuation industry already beset by negative headlines about member services, the last thing it needed was a Super Consumers Australia “mystery shopper” study into the quality of customer service provided by 20 super fund call centres. But aspects of it demand closer scrutiny.
Featured Homepage Posts
Mercer Super CEO Claire Ross departs
Mercer Super chief executive Claire Ross will exit the $85 billion retail fund after less than two years at helm, with Mercer Pacific chief financial officer Court Haas to take up the top job on an interim basis.
21 July, 2026
Insurance in Super Summit
19 August, 2026
Retirement Leaders Summit
13 – 15 October, 2026
Fiduciary Investors Symposium
Analysis
AustralianSuper’s India investment shows the pointy end of super diplomacy
AustralianSuper’s decision to tip $500 million into an Indian government infrastructure fund comes amidst increased belligerence from China and represents an escalation in the super fund diplomacy that the Albanese Government has used to deepen economic and political ties with key allies.
Leadership & profiles
GESB CEO calls time: ‘Past regime of default super’ no longer sustainable
GESB chief executive Ben Palmer is set to leave the Western Australian government super fund, ending a 13-year tenure after steering the fund through the most significant change in its history. In a rare interview, Palmer examines the past, present and future of super and explains why GESB is treating platforms, not profit-to-member funds, as its benchmark.
Profiles
Why HESTA’s ‘joined-up thinking’ is one of its CIO’s favourite things
Sonya Sawtell-Rickson joined HESTA as the health industry workers’ super fund was taking steps towards investment internalisation and a total portfolio approach. She says the moves have been vindicated not only by member returns but in the “joined-up” conversations the now-$96 billion fund has with the companies it invests in.
Retirement
Retail, small funds pull ahead on member retirement satisfaction
The CoreData/Conexus Financial Best Possible Retirement research reveals a gap in member satisfaction between small funds and large funds, and between industry funds and retail funds. But the message for all funds is clear: members want and need more support not only as they move into retirement, but also after they’re in it.
Governance
HESTA seeks answers over ‘deeply concerning’ Richard White allegations
HESTA wants answers from WiseTech on how it will manage the role of executive chair Richard White after reports emerged that the Australian Federal Police are investigating him over human trafficking and visa fraud allegations.
Governance
Shield, First Guardian reforms must not become a covert operation to restrict competition
There is broad consensus in industry and Canberra that the collapses of the Shield and First Guardian master funds – and failures that led to them – demand a regulatory response. But getting that response wrong could create an uneven playing field in the industry and some counterproductive consumer outcomes.
Industry & regulation
It’s time for a complete restructure of performance testing
A growing super system that is increasing in complexity and systemic importance warrants a better performance assessment framework. But the recent consultation on the YFYS performance test only focuses on modifying the existing test without changing its essential nature.
Featured Homepage Posts
Aware Super hunts hidden AI exposures as concentration concern grows
The $245 billion Aware Super says that around 15 per cent of assets in its high-growth option are exposed to the AI thematic, but says that finding the portfolio’s true concentration will require looking beyond simple dollar aggregation. Head of investment strategy Michael Winchester unpacks the approach and why the fund has to be “really discerning” with where it allocates to in the future.
Investments
As the Magnificent Seven fade, CFS looks further afield for returns
Colonial First State chief investment officer Jonathan Armitage says a shift away from reliance on US mega-cap tech stocks is reshaping portfolio resilience, with emerging markets, private debt and catastrophe bonds helping to drive returns across the portfolio.
