The Australian superannuation system post Stronger Super: views from fund executives

Abstract

Over the past five years, the Australian superannuation system has been subject to a programme of policy and regulatory change of considerable scope and ambition: the Stronger Super initiatives. This article presents the findings of qualitative research undertaken with the fund executives on whom much of the burden of responding to the changes has fallen. It finds misgivings around the new reporting regime, the system's overwhelming focus on the accumulation phase and the provision of choice to members, as well as widespread fatigue from continued regulatory change. It also finds a predictable diversity of views on funds’ alignment with members’ needs and the desirability of scale.