Superannuation

We are excited to announce the return of the RIAA Conference Australia in 2025! Join us on the 28 & 29 May at the ICC Sydney or online for the largest responsible investment gathering in the Southern Hemisphere.

People with superannuation accounts or investment portfolios have immense power. With substantial amounts of money invested – such as the $4 trillion in Australia’s superannuation funds (the 5th largest pool of pension assets in the world), consumers are in the driver’s seat when it comes to the allocation of that money to different industries and companies. Our research shows that 88% of Australians expect their super and banking to be invested responsibly and ethically. Similarly in Aotearoa New Zealand, 74% expect responsible and ethical management of their investments, and 59% are willing to move their funds if their investments do not align with their values.

Broad review of the framework and design of an Annual Superannuation Performance Test.

RIAA disagrees with the recent article, “Watering down super fund tests risks lower returns” published by the The Australian Financial Review. The Your Future, Your Super (YFYS) performance test is having a direct impact on the movement of capital to climate transition and achieving a net-zero economy.

The Responsible Investment Super Study series is the most comprehensive research conducted on the responsible investment and ESG practices of Australia’s superannuation sector. Published every two years, the study aims to:

The MySuper products of super funds demonstrating leading responsible investment practice outperformed those of non-leaders on average in 2022, according to a new study released by the Responsible Investment Association Australasia (RIAA). The Responsible Investment Super Study 2023, supported by PIMCO, has named 10 Responsible Super Fund Leaders* out of the 53 assessed for the study. These funds commit to good governance and accountability; implement and measure responsible investment approaches through activities such as engagement and voting and ESG integration; regularly measure outcomes; and exhibit a high degree of transparency. Dr. Zsuzsa Banhalmi-Zakar, Research Manager at RIAA said, “Aussies that are choosing to align their super with their values are not losing out on returns, demonstrating that strong financial performance and investing ethically are not mutually exclusive.” The study also shows that legislation has reshaped the sector recently. The most significant change being the introduction of mandatory requirement for funds to disclose the assets they invest in (which came into effect in March 2022). As a result, 100% of super funds that were assessed for the study now disclose portfolio holdings, as opposed to 2021 when 62% published only their top 20 holdings or less.

Paul Gregory keynote speech & the role of third party verification in the fight against greenwashing

Exposure draft from the Australian Treasury to legislate the objective of superannuation ‘to preserve savings to deliver income for a dignified retirement, alongside government support, in an equitable and sustainable way'.

On 11 August, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) initiated civil penalty proceedings against LGSS Pty Limited (Active Super). The regulatory action alleges misleading conduct and misrepresentations made by Active Super regarding its ethical and responsible investment claims.

Exposure Draft Regulations from the Australian Treasury on proposed changes to the Your Future Your Super (YFYS) performance test.