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Understanding
Your Future,
Your Super

The next phase of the Federal Government’s Your Future, Your Super reforms is now in effect. The package introduced new rules aimed at improving the superannuation system for all Australians.

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Your Future, Your Super

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From 1 November 2021, stapling was introduced

  • Account ‘stapling’, was introduced which will help prevent the creation of multiple, unintended super accounts when Australian’s start or change jobs.
  • Stapling means your super fund will now automatically move with you if you change jobs – effectively being ‘stapled’ to you, unless you tell your employer otherwise. 
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From 1 July 2021, the annual performance test was introduced

  • An annual performance test for MySuper products which measures the net investment returns of MySuper products (like our default Balanced investment option) against benchmarks set by the Australian Prudential Regulatory Authority (APRA). 
  • The performance test helps protect fund members from consistent underperformance. Funds that fail the test two years in a row will need to take steps to address their performance issues before they sign up any new members. 
  • Another measure that’s been introduced is the “YourSuper” comparison tool on the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) website, where you’ll be able to compare your super fund’s performance to other funds. 

YFYS Employer Video

For your benefit we have developed a video explaining the reforms, your obligations, and helpful ‘how-to’ steps in greater detail below.

More

Information

The Your Future, Your Super reforms aim to reduce the creation of duplicate accounts when workers start new jobs. From 1 November 2021, new employees will be ‘stapled’ to their existing super fund, unless they choose a different fund. First-time entrants to the workforce will be ‘stapled’ to the first super fund they join. This may be a fund they have explicitly chosen, or the default fund used by their first employer. This account will then follow them from job to job unless they actively choose another fund. 

Employers still need to meet their super choice obligations by offering choice of fund to eligible employees by providing a super choice form. Where a new employee chooses their own fund, this will override the stapling provisions, and super must be paid to the employee’s chosen fund.  The updated ATO Superannuation Standard Choice form can be found in the 'Helpful resources for employers' section below.

If the new employee does not choose a fund for their super to be paid into, employers will need to check with the ATO for an existing stapled fund. If the employee has a stapled fund, super must be paid into that identified fund. 

Another measure central to the legislation is the introduction of an annual performance test for super funds. The test measures the net investment returns of MySuper products against benchmarks and will have ramifications for underperforming super funds. 

Hostplus is pleased to report that we have passed the industry regulator’s latest MySuper performance test. 

The changes have also introduced a Best Financial Interests Duty (BFID) that requires all super fund trustees to perform their duties and exercise their powers in the best financial interests of fund members.

The tool has been developed by the Australian Tax Office and is based on independent information from the Australian Prudential Regulatory Authority, known as APRA . The YourSuper comparison tool ranks MySuper products based on the competitiveness of their fees and investment returns. It’s important to note that the investment returns shown in the comparison tool are net of all fees and taxes, which means fees have already been accounted for when looking at the net performance figure for each product.

Helpful resources
for employers

We have compiled a range of helpful resources of important forms.  The ATO webpage contains  all the current information on  stapling of super for employers including a recorded webcast, stapled super funds Reference Guide, and information on when and how to submit a stapled super fund request via the ATO. 

For your
employees

Have any questions about these changes, or about your super?

The information contained on this website is general advice only and does not take into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. You should consider if this information is appropriate for you in light of your circumstances before acting on it. Please read the relevant Hostplus Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) or Hostplus SMI PDS before making a decision about Hostplus. For a description of the target market, please read the Target Market Determination (TMD), available here.