MySuper

MySuper is part of the Stronger Super[1] reforms announced in September 2011 by the Gillard Labor government for the Australian superannuation industry to replace the previous default funds system with a new default system using low cost and simple superannuation products. MySuper compliant products may be provided by industry super funds, as well as retail super funds. Funds that do not operate as default funds, such as self managed superannuation funds (SMSFs) or choice products, are not subject to MySuper standards.

Since 1 January 2014, unless an employee has chosen another investment option, employers must pay all compulsory SG contributions into approved MySuper accounts, i.e., into super products that have received a MySuper authority. From that date, super funds must also credit employer contributions to a MySuper account, unless if the member has directed the trustee to do otherwise. Given that over 75% of employees stay with their employers’ default fund, it was expected that the majority of employees would be in a MySuper product from that date. Superannuation funds had until 1 July 2017 to move existing default members into a complying MySuper product. For convenience, many funds simply converted an existing default option to a MySuper account, so that members would be automatically included in a MySuper product.

Members can opt out of the MySuper option at any time, or may choose a particular MySuper product. They must be given a minimum of 90 days' notice before a default transfer to a MySuper account is made.

The intention of the MySuper system is for market participants to create a range of easily comparable, relatively simple products, which in turn will focus competition on net costs and returns. The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) fosters competition by publishing fee tables and other statistics.[2]

Features of a MySuper account

The features of a MySuper product include:

  • a single investment option
  • a minimum level of insurance cover
  • an easily comparable fee structure, with a short prescribed list of allowable fee types
  • restrictions on how advice is provided and paid for, and
  • rules governing fund governance and transparency.[3]

MySuper investments

MySuper products are required to have a single investment option. Many funds, such as HESTA and Cbus, have announced that they will simply use their existing default investment option as their MySuper offering – typically Balanced or Growth.[4] An estimated 80% of not-for-profit funds will reportedly retain their existing products for MySuper.[5] This enables a simple transition to the MySuper regime. However, critics of this approach argue that offering a single investment option that doesn't change over an entire working life and into retirement does not reflect customers' changing attitudes to risk as they age nor as their retirement prospects change.

Lifecycle investment strategies

For these reasons, the government has allowed lifecycle investment options to be the default choice for a MySuper product. Lifecycle investment options enable trustees to automatically move members into a different investment mix based on their age and other permitted factors including balance, gender, time to retirement (or combination thereof), and can be particularly relevant as part of a transition to retirement.[6] Sunsuper was the first fund to receive approval for their lifecycle strategy.[7] However, a number of lifecycle strategies have since been released from companies including Aon, Suncorp, BT and First State.

MySuper fees

Fees a member can be charged in MySuper products are limited to:

  • administration fee
  • investment fee (including a performance-based fee)
  • buy and sell spreads (limited to cost recovery)
  • exit fee (limited to cost recovery), and
  • switching fee (limited to cost recovery).[6]

In addition, trustees may charge fees for certain member‑specific costs initiated by the member or a court; for example, account splitting following a family law decision.

All fees charged for MySuper products must be able to be included under these standard descriptions. This will make it simpler for members to understand what they pay and to compare fees against other MySuper products.

MySuper insurance

MySuper products are required to offer a standard, default level of life and total and permanent disability (TPD) insurance. Members of MySuper products are able to opt-out of the insurance, or increase or decrease their insurance cover (if offered by the trustee) without having to leave the MySuper product.

There may be particular factors at a workplace level that influence the appropriate level and structure of insurance for employees at that workplace. Therefore, within a MySuper product, it is possible for the standard insurance cover to be replaced by a default insurance strategy tailored to meet the specific requirements of the employees of a particular employer.[6]

MySuper timeline
21 September 2011The Government announces its decisions on key design aspects of the Stronger Super reforms.
3 November 20111st tranche of MySuper legislation tabled in Parliament
16 February 20122nd tranche of MySuper legislation tabled in Parliament
19 September 20123rd tranche of MySuper legislation tabled in Parliament
29 November 20124th tranche of MySuper legislation tabled in Parliament
1 January 2013First date for lodgements of MySuper applications
14 February 2013Sunsuper is the first superannuation fund awarded a MySuper authority
28 June 2013Final regulations released
1 July 2013MySuper products can be launched
1 January 2014Only authorised MySuper products can receive default super contributions from an employer
1 July 2017Last date for superannuation funds to transfer existing balances of default members to a MySuper product

After 1 January 2014, members who do not make an investment choice, or who actively choose a fund's default option, must be invested in a compliant MySuper product.[8]

Criticism of MySuper products

In 2019, Russell Mason of Deloitte argued that the introduction of MySuper products had ultimately been a waste of time, due to the fact that the majority of products were simply converted from existing fund options.[9]

References
  1. Federal Government (1 July 2011). "Stronger Super Overview of Reforms". Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  2. "Quarterly MySuper Statistics". Retrieved 7 October 2018.
  3. APRA (12 January 2013). "Superannuation reforms 2011–2013". Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  4. HESTA (19 March 2013). "HESTA's MySuper Option". Retrieved 19 March 2013.
  5. Sampson, Annette (22 September 2012). "MySuper unleashes competition and value". Retrieved 8 April 2013.
  6. Treasury Department (19 March 2013). "Stronger Super". Retrieved 19 March 2013.
  7. Davies, Justine (27 February 2013). "Spotlight on Sunsuper". Retrieved 19 March 2013.
  8. ASFA (29 January 2013). "Super Reforms Timeline – MySuper". Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  9. "MySuper a costly distraction | Super Review". www.superreview.com.au. 15 August 2019. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
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