Next week the super industry will get together for an information-packed day to gain a deeper understanding of retirement, what members want and expect, and explore innovative solutions that support the retirement system’s core objectives. Building on the success of last year’s inaugural Spotlight on Retirement event and given ASFA’s unique super industry front-row view, delegates can be assured topics will once again be highly relevant and timely.

ASFA Commercial Director Justine Earl‑Smith said the full-day program has been designed to support the industry to address the key challenges around delivering retirement solutions for increasing numbers of Australians in, or heading towards, retirement.

“We have sourced diverse and highly knowledgeable speakers for the sessions with thought-provoking topics that will certainly resonate with delegates. It will also be a great opportunity for the industry to connect and collaborate.”

Here’s a snapshot of what to expect.

Deciphering the research and the whole concept of retirement

The first session of the day will explore recent research into the Australian outlook on retirement, what members want for retirement and how they feel about it generally. ASFA CEO Mary Delahunty will chair the panel comprising RedBridge Group’s Simon Welsh, Angela Hartl from Mercer, Vanguard Australia’s Renae Smith and Shaun Bransdon from TAL.

Next up will be further thought leadership and discussion around the concept of retirement. Sharan Burrow AC, Former General Secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation and Prof. Marian Baird AO, Professor of Gender and Employment Relations, Co-Director of the Sydney Employment Relations Research Group, University of Sydney Business School will discuss how national and international labour market trends, and financial, health and wellbeing outcomes are contributing to changing perspectives on retirement. The session will also be chaired by ASFA CEO Mary Delahunty.

Regulatory expectations and interpreting the legislation

Delegates will have the opportunity to hear directly from the Regulators about their current priorities for the superannuation sector when ASIC’s Jane Eccleston, Senior Executive Leader – Superannuation & Life Insurance and Peter Kohlhagen, General Manager, Superannuation, APRA speak with ASFA Policy Director Fiona Galbraith.

Following on, a panel of expert superannuation lawyers will interpret the legislation and share thoughts on what superannuation funds need to be preparing for over the coming months. Chaired by Nicolette Rubinsztein, Non-Executive Director, Actuary & Author, speakers Zein El Hassan, Partner, Mills Oakley; Ruth Stringer, Partner, Minter Ellison; and Luke Barrett, Partner, Gilbert + Tobin will share their perspectives.

Let’s not forget younger Australians

Younger Australians are facing increasing and competing pressures as housing affordability, cost of living increases and non-linear career paths and job insecurity threaten their ability to engage with superannuation. Retirement seems like an expensive luxury.  In session four, the panel, chaired by Wayne Sullivan from Frontier Advisors will discuss how the industry can engage younger members as the industry turns its focus to decumulation. Deborah Potts from Rest, Marianne Walker from Cbus Super, and Anne Fuchs from Australian Retirement Trust will share their insights and ideas.

We need to talk about data and AI

While effective data platforms and data analytics can provide unique insights into members and help tailor advice offerings, investing heavily in data resources and systems does not necessarily guarantee provision of the best or most relevant member data analytics. Session five will look at the issues faced by funds in accessing and analysing member data and the increasing role data plays. Chaired by Luke Symons from legalsuper, Michelle Lusty from Bravura Solutions, and UniSuper’s Giacomo Tarantolo are sure to share some interesting ideas and perspectives.

We have sourced diverse and highly knowledgeable speakers for the sessions with thought-provoking topics that will certainly resonate with delegates. It will also be a great opportunity for the industry to connect and collaborate.“

Looking at retirement risks, exploring the role of aged care in retirement and the ASFA Retirement Standard – 40 years on

Retirement is not risk free, and members face real or perceived challenges to a dignified retirement. Risks include outliving savings, rising healthcare costs, inflation, market volatility and poor financial education. In this session Darragh Monaghan, Head of Client Solutions and John Walters, General Manager, Group Business, both from Hannover Re, will examine how different countries address these challenges and explores the relevance and application of these solutions to the Australian market.

In session seven, following, the role of aged care in retirement will be the topic for discussion. Aged care, in its many guises, can provide security in retirement for members. However, as aged care costs rise and financial risks are increasingly moved from governments to individuals, ageing in place and accessing aged care is becoming more challenging. Patricia Sparrow, from COTA Australia, Tom Symondson, from Aged & Community Care Providers Association (ACCPA) and Sam Harris from HESTA will look at the evolving role of aged care for an ageing population. This session will be chaired by Prime Super’s Maria Ganakas.

Next Ross Clare, Director – Research and Resource Centre, ASFA and architect of the ASFA Retirement Standard, will share his insights 40 years on from its inception.

Designing inclusive experiences for older members and the role of advice in retirement

The SIS Act defines retirement income solutions as an innovative product class. So when designing member experiences to support these solutions, it makes sense that they’re as innovative as possible. But as the target audience is older Australians, how do we ensure these experiences best serve this diverse segment whose needs and preferences may change over time? This is the topic for discussion in session nine chaired by Jenny Nguyen from TAL with speakers Jennifer McSpadden from Brighter Super and AustralianSuper‘s Kate Leplaw.

Advice will be under the spotlight next when the speakers discuss its evolving role. The first tranche of legislation arising from the Quality of Advice Review has helped remove significant red tape for trustees keen to offer their members access to greater advice offerings. Subsequent tranches are likely to categorise the types of advice which will have implications for how funds approach the advice offering. In this session Peter Hogg from Aware Super, Sarah Abood from Financial Advice Association Australia (FAAA) and Csaba Baranyai from Industry Fund Services (IFS) will unpack early thoughts from the industry on the opportunities and challenges presented by the legislation. It will be chaired by Lachlan Allardice from SS&C Technologies.

Creating confidence amongst members in decumulation

With over 200,000 Australians entering retirement every year, how are funds rising to the challenge of members moving into the decumulation phase? What are newly- or semi-retired members looking for from their superannuation fund? What might some innovative offerings look like? This session is a chance to hear from the industry about how they are planning to ensure confidence amongst members as they head into retirement. Michael Clancy from Qantas Super, Shawn Blackmore from AustralianSuper, Aware Super’s Jacki Ellis will join chair Lucy Foster from Allianz Retire+ for an insightful discussion.

At the conclusion of the program, networking drinks will provide an opportunity for delegates to casually debrief and unpack some of the topics and ideas from the day with colleagues, clients and counterparts.

If you haven’t already, secure some of the remaining tickets (large savings for table bookings – subject to availability) to what promises to be a highly informative and engaging event. You can register and view the program here.