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THE CONEXUS INSTITUTE

The Conexus Institute was established as an independent think tank focused on improving retirement outcomes for Australian consumers. The Conexus Institute applies a “research-for-impact” model to produce high quality, often collaborative, research which is used to assist industry, regulators and policymakers.

Recent releases

Recent Thinking

Mixed reception to measuring retirement performance

Concerns raised about applicability of the Your Future Your Super performance test to account-based pension products.
18 December 2024

Solving the complexity of retirement with the simplicity of advice

Panel discussion on challenges super funds face on retirement. Right now, the retirement phase of superannuation does not work as well for members as it could, and certainly not as well as the accumulation phase.
16 December 2024

Key to the retirement puzzle is adviser and fund collaboration

Panel discussion on addressing the retirement challenge through the lens of a super fund. Requires an “uplift in advice processes” among super funds that will be “systems-led”.
10 December 2024

AustralianSuper, ART dump chief retirement officer roles

Recent changes at the nation’s two largest super funds, AustralianSuper and Australian Retirement Trust signalling that funds are rethinking the multi-faceted retirement challenge and the management structure to support it.
4 December 2024

New ‘best practice’ principles for superannuation products are coming. We asked a panel of experts what should be included

It has to be asked: how will the retirement system initiatives announced by Treasurer Chalmers move along the many super funds that are lagging in the development of their retirement income strategies?
21 November 2024

‘Peace of mind’: Treasurer unveils four-point plan to reform retirement

Complex member communication could deter people from engaging with their retirement savings, but for super funds, maintaining simplicity in their messages has become one of the most difficult things to do.
20 November 2024

UK unveils ‘Australian-style mega-funds’ ambition for pension system

Treasurer Jim Chalmers has unveiled an extensive suite of policy reforms targeting the retirement phase of superannuation, including a legislative change that will allow funds to provide new retirement product features like money back guarantee.
15 November 2024

Super needs a ‘major re-engineering’ for retirement to succeed

It’s “quite realistic” that many super funds will take too long to build the basics of a retirement income strategy, and the system might need a licencing regime to make sure members are getting the best service.
6 November 2024

Maximising the role of unlisted assets in portfolios

Presentation at IBR Asset Allocation Strategies Forum, outlines the opportunities and challenges in unlisted assets. The entry ticket: excellent governance.
28 October 2024

Why the IMF is wrong on illiquid assets

The IMF says that super funds’ chunky allocations to illiquid assets could be a danger to markets during stress events, but there’s little evidence to support their fears of systemic risk.
25 October 2024

Investing for Retirement

Presentation at IBR Post Retirement Australia, explores how best to create investment structures and portfolios for retirees.
21 October 2024

Case for a Retirement Licensing Regime

Presentation at IBR Post Retirement Australia, outlines the case for a Retirement Licensing Regime as the key next step in the development of an effective retirement system.
21 October 2024

Simplicity the best and hardest thing in retirement engagement

Complex member communication could deter people from engaging with their retirement savings, but for super funds, maintaining simplicity in their messages has become one of the most difficult things to do.
15 October 2024

Improving access to account-based pensions

We estimate that 50,000 Australians who are retiring over the next year may not be able to access an ABP because they do not meet minimum application requirements of their superannuation fund.
2 October 2024

Super giants growing to dominate market, but results are good

Superannuation funds are getting bigger, with major consequences for one sector in particular.
30 September 2024

The country’s two mega funds now attract half of all new super

The country’s two largest superannuation funds, AustralianSuper and Australian Retirement Trust, are pulling away from rivals.
25 September 2024

Scope to improve access to account-based pensions for low balance retirees

We estimate that 50,000 Australians who are retiring over the next year may not be able to access an ABP because they do not meet minimum application requirements of their superannuation fund.
19 September 2024

Low-balance super members denied access to account-based pensions

A little-known administrative hurdle is prohibiting tens of thousands of poorer Australians from accessing tax-free account-based pensions, according to analysis by The Conexus Institute.
19 September 2024

Super sector’s dirty little secret of pension minimums

The grand bargain at the heart of Australia’s superannuation system, forfeiting wages to fund a tax-advantaged retirement, is potentially being undermined by a widespread but under-the-radar practice by superannuation funds.
19 September 2024

Some super funds pay a retirement bonus. Here’s what you need to know

Super Consumers Australia says the bonus is more like a tax payback – and you may even need to hand it back.
16 September 2024

Research and submissions

Pathway to Better Retirement Outcomes

This will be an active area of research and advocacy for The Conexus Institute. Our work program will likely entail a range of research projects.

Your Future, Your Super

A review of the YFYS performance test, identifying that the performance test will, in many cases, be ineffective at identifying poor performing funds, while creating a range of undesirable outcomes.

UNSW Business School’s Sandbox Program

UNSW’s Business School’s Sandbox Program aims to introduce students to industry projects as part of their coursework program.

Celebrating our collaborators

Ian Fryer

Growth / defensive asset categorisation

Debbie Alliston

Growth / defensive asset categorisation

Kirby Rappell

Growth / defensive asset categorisation

Tim Jenkins

Early access to super

Scott Tully

Growth / defensive asset categorisation

Super Consumers Australia

Early access to super

Luke Zhou

Retirement income review submission

Tim Macready

Growth / defensive asset categorisation

Estelle Liu

Early access to super

Xavier O’Halloran

Early access to super

Actuaries Institute

Early access to super

Carol Lee

Growth / defensive asset categorisation

Annabelle Tian

Retirement income review submission

Anna Shelley

Growth / defensive asset categorisation

Eleanor Barz

Early access to super

Reece Zachariah

Exploring portfolios with illiquid assets

Kevin Liu

UNSW Sandbox Program 2020/2021

Yenni Tim

UNSW Sandbox Program 2020

Estelle Liu

UNSW Sandbox Program 2020

Xavier O’Halloran

UNSW Sandbox Program 2020/2021

Matthias Oldham

UNSW Sandbox Program 2020/2021

Nick Callil

Your Future, Your Super performance test

Tim Unger

Your Future, Your Super performance test

Emily Barlow

Your Future, Your Super performance test

Clayton Sills

Your Future, Your Super performance test

Kim Bowater

Your Future, Your Super performance test

David Carruthers

Your Future, Your Super performance test

Matthew Griffith

Your Future, Your Super performance test

Andrew Boal

Your Future, Your Super performance test

Stefano Cavaglia

Exploring portfolios with illiquid assets

Leigh Gavin

Growth / defensive asset categorisation

Lisa Carroll

Exploring portfolios with illiquid assets

Sandi Orleow

Exploring portfolios with illiquid assets

Pamela Hanrahan

Retirement transition support that is safe by design

Geoff Warren

Ensuring all retirees find a suitable retirement solution

Interested in collaborating?

Current projects

Illiquidity – governance, risk and portfolio management resources

Developing a suite of tools, guides and case studies to assist super funds achieve best practice

A better retirement for all Australians

We are currently undertaking early-stage research to develop our vision of a great retirement system

Exploring Big Ideas

Episode 1: Jane Hume

Ongoing micro-reforms, decumulation solutions, fintech and an end to ideological wars are highlights among the ideas Senator Jane Hume has for improving Australia’s retirement system, many of which can be described as micro-reforms which may disappoint those looking for a single silver bullet big idea.

Episode 2: Jeremy Cooper

The man who has shaped the architecture of Australia’s accumulation system sees great opportunity for further system improvement, challenges industry to illustrate the value of engagement, and questions whether tax incentives on super contributions should remain as strong if consumers are not drawing down on their capital in the retirement phase.

Episode 3: Marisa Hall

Pension funds need a generation of investment professionals that are willing to be brave and less conservative than their predecessors if they are to move to the systems level perspectives on investment that is required for better returns and societal outcomes, according to the co-head of the Thinking Ahead Institute, Marisa Hall.

Episode 4: David Knox

Middle income earners are most disadvantaged by the superannuation system, Mercer’s senior partner David Knox highlighted during an interview in which he pitched the concept of a universal pension for all Australians regardless of how wealthy they are or how much they earn.

Episode 5: The Pathway to Retirement Solutions

Expert panellists Deborah Ralston, Pamela Hanrahan and Geoff Warren discussed the current changes to the superannuation industry with The Conexus Institute’s Executive Director, David Bell, in this special Exploring Big Ideas episode: The Pathway to Retirement Solutions.

Webinar recording:
Your Future Your Super: One year on

The first anniversary of the contentious Your Future, Your Super reforms provided the perfect opportunity for reflection.

This webinar took place on 23 June 2022.

 

 

Webinar recording:
The Super Guarantee: 30-Year anniversary

The panel reflected on the origins and benefits of the SG, and considered the challenges ahead for superannuation and retirement income policy.

This webinar took place on 30 June 2022.

Meet our team

Colin Tate AM

Founder and adviser

Jeremy Cooper

Chair of advisory board

David Bell

Executive director

Hazel Bateman

Marisa Broome

Aleks Vickovich

Ian Fryer

Pamela Hanrahan

David Knox

Xavier O'Halloran

Kevin O'Sullivan

Deborah Ralston

Nicolette Rubinsztein AM

Geoff Warren