Australian Regulator Questions 10 Pensions Over Poor Performance
Australia’s prudential regulator will consider using its enforcement powers on 10 default retirement savings plans that were found to be among the nation’s worst performers for a second year.
The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority said Friday it is assessing whether the eight trustees managing the plans have failed their obligations to members and will seek information on how they’re addressing the underperformance.
APRA will then determine what action will be taken, including whether to use its power to force them to merge or shutter, the statement said. The A$2.9 trillion ($2.2 trillion) pension industry is under pressure to lift its performance after a series of reviews found the system was beset by poorly-performing funds and high fees.
The regulator last year published its first so-called heatmap assessment of default investment plans, warning funds it would take action if performance wasn’t improved.
“The impact has been immediate,” APRA Deputy Chair Helen Rowell said in the statement. Australian workers have saved “hundreds of millions of dollars in fees” while 11 poor-performing investment plans have exited the industry, she said.
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