Super rollovers to get easier, announces IFF



The Industry Funds Forum (IFF) has announced today the launch of an electronic commerce hub to facilitate the transfer of rollovers between superannuation funds. The hub, which will begin operating around 19 June, is consistent with architecture proposed in SuperStream, the electronic commerce proposals announced by the Cooper Review.
Initially there will be five funds participating, and a second group will join in the September quarter. The first funds to progressively begin to transact will be REST, Sunsuper, Statewide, Health Super and a leading government fund. Further expansion will occur as more funds develop the required links.
IFF spokesman Francis Cox said the goal of the project was to find a solution to the dilemma of individual members unnecessarily carrying multiple super funds with multiple sets of fees, and to eliminate the frustration of super rollovers.
“Through this collaboration we’ll be able to speed up processing and payment times, ensure data is handled with greater accuracy and make it easier for investors to find any lost super,” he said.
While the initial launch will mainly include industry funds, discussions have commenced with retail and public sector funds.
Cox confirmed that Cuscal would provide access to the payments system. The IFF has also been working on the project in collaboration with Medicare, which was appointed by the Government last year to operate as a clearing house for contributions into super from small employers to ensure uniform data standards.
Cox added that the IFF’s major administrators — Super Partners, Australian Administration Services and Pillar Administration — were participating in governance for the scheme.
Recommended for you
ASIC commissioner Alan Kirkland has detailed the regulator’s intentions to conduct surveillance on licensees and advisers who are recommending managed accounts, noting a review is “warranted and timely” given the sector’s growth.
AMP and HUB24 have shared the areas where they are seeking future adviser growth, with HUB24 targeting adding more than 2,000 advisers to the platform.
Bravura Solutions has appointed a new chair and deputy chair to take over from departing Matthew Quinn, while Shezad Okhai picks up another responsibility.
Two advisers say M&A is becoming a “contact sport” as competition heats up to acquire attractive advice firms, while a lack of new entrants creates roadblocks in organic growth opportunities.