On Background Transistor (https://transistor.fm) https://feeds.transistor.fm/on-background-db8b537f-112f-4a6f-9b83-4e0f01219f64 Taking you behind the news that matters to asset owners. © 2026 Investment Magazine 78d70bce-e5fe-5b2a-8cd4-4957a1891e31 yes en Thu, 08 Oct 2026 19:22:51 -0700 Thu, 08 Oct 2026 19:23:20 -0700 https://img.transistorcdn.com/yZGtugVpFhI4I6U8WYDUavIt_VS-D5wljiSsFzq1IXo/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9mYmIw/NDI4YjcxN2UyNDUw/YTAxNGM2OTg5NTFi/ZDY5YS5wbmc.jpg On Background episodic Investment Magazine Taking you behind the news that matters to asset owners. Taking you behind the news that matters to asset owners.. Investment Magazine marketing@conexusfinancial.com.au No No Why small funds are thriving; the little green tick that decides whether a fund is ready for retirement 8 8 Why small funds are thriving; the little green tick that decides whether a fund is ready for retirement full d4cde00e-8947-486c-a4dc-1a5d63c8dcee https://share.transistor.fm/s/e67b5fc1 Superannuation’s consolidation wave thinned the ranks of small funds and set a widely cited $30 billion floor for viability. But the chief executives of two funds well below it say that floor no longer decides who survives — and that member services and a willingness to pilot new ideas now count for more than purchasing power.

 Meanwhile, only eight of 45 super funds received a “tick” designation from the Epic Retirement Institute in its latest assessment of retirement offerings, but the research firm that carries them out says the standard of funds’ retirement offerings is nevertheless improving overall.

]]> Superannuation’s consolidation wave thinned the ranks of small funds and set a widely cited $30 billion floor for viability. But the chief executives of two funds well below it say that floor no longer decides who survives — and that member services and a willingness to pilot new ideas now count for more than purchasing power.

 Meanwhile, only eight of 45 super funds received a “tick” designation from the Epic Retirement Institute in its latest assessment of retirement offerings, but the research firm that carries them out says the standard of funds’ retirement offerings is nevertheless improving overall.

]]> Thu, 08 Oct 2026 19:22:48 -0700 Investment Magazine Investment Magazine 1472 Superannuation’s consolidation wave thinned the ranks of small funds and set a widely cited $30 billion floor for viability. But the chief executives of two funds well below it say that floor no longer decides who survives — and that member services and a willingness to pilot new ideas now count for more than purchasing power.

 Meanwhile, only eight of 45 super funds received a “tick” designation from the Epic Retirement Institute in its latest assessment of retirement offerings, but the research firm that carries them out says the standard of funds’ retirement offerings is nevertheless improving overall.

]]> No What's driving APRA's platform crackdown; Why Australia's OCIO market is heating up 7 7 What's driving APRA's platform crackdown; Why Australia's OCIO market is heating up full cc48eccc-7df1-460f-b3eb-64edb2be66cc https://share.transistor.fm/s/a9e90dbd This week, APRA has proposed requiring super trustees to limit members’ exposure to high-risk investment options as part of a package the regulator expects to have the greatest impact on platform trustees following the $1 billion collapse of Shield and First Guardian. The team dig into the announcement and examine its potential consequences.

 

Meanwhile, The Conexus Institute has proposed that super funds take a closer look at creating contingency accounts for members in the drawdown phase, and competition in Australia’s OCIO space is heating up.

]]> This week, APRA has proposed requiring super trustees to limit members’ exposure to high-risk investment options as part of a package the regulator expects to have the greatest impact on platform trustees following the $1 billion collapse of Shield and First Guardian. The team dig into the announcement and examine its potential consequences.

 

Meanwhile, The Conexus Institute has proposed that super funds take a closer look at creating contingency accounts for members in the drawdown phase, and competition in Australia’s OCIO space is heating up.

]]> Thu, 01 Oct 2026 18:11:04 -0700 Investment Magazine Investment Magazine 1428 This week, APRA has proposed requiring super trustees to limit members’ exposure to high-risk investment options as part of a package the regulator expects to have the greatest impact on platform trustees following the $1 billion collapse of Shield and First Guardian. The team dig into the announcement and examine its potential consequences.

 

Meanwhile, The Conexus Institute has proposed that super funds take a closer look at creating contingency accounts for members in the drawdown phase, and competition in Australia’s OCIO space is heating up.

]]> No What’s behind ASIC’s private credit crackdown; Where UniSuper is playing in private markets 6 6 What’s behind ASIC’s private credit crackdown; Where UniSuper is playing in private markets full a59ec7a3-b777-47e7-85e0-b8f3ec54f05b https://share.transistor.fm/s/0c04837f Welcome to Investment Magazine On Background, the podcast series where our experienced team of journalists take you behind the news and dig into the context behind the biggest stories shaping Australia’s asset owner landscape.

This week, ASIC commissioner Simone Constant singled out super fund chief investment officers for failing to ask their external managers whether they meet the regulator’s ten principles of private credit done well. The team dig into her speech and discuss why the corporate cop is taking aim at super funds.

Meanwhile, the $160 billion UniSuper is looking for new ways to tap into the AI thematic without stuffing the private markets portfolio with data centres.

Hosted by Investment Magazine editor Lachlan Maddock, joined by Retirement Magazine editor Simon Hoyle and APAC correspondent Darcy Song. Join the conversation every Friday. Produced by Harvey McKay with marketing content by Jack Smith.

]]> Welcome to Investment Magazine On Background, the podcast series where our experienced team of journalists take you behind the news and dig into the context behind the biggest stories shaping Australia’s asset owner landscape.

This week, ASIC commissioner Simone Constant singled out super fund chief investment officers for failing to ask their external managers whether they meet the regulator’s ten principles of private credit done well. The team dig into her speech and discuss why the corporate cop is taking aim at super funds.

Meanwhile, the $160 billion UniSuper is looking for new ways to tap into the AI thematic without stuffing the private markets portfolio with data centres.

Hosted by Investment Magazine editor Lachlan Maddock, joined by Retirement Magazine editor Simon Hoyle and APAC correspondent Darcy Song. Join the conversation every Friday. Produced by Harvey McKay with marketing content by Jack Smith.

]]> Thu, 24 Sep 2026 18:14:29 -0700 Investment Magazine Investment Magazine 1102 Welcome to Investment Magazine On Background, the podcast series where our experienced team of journalists take you behind the news and dig into the context behind the biggest stories shaping Australia’s asset owner landscape.

This week, ASIC commissioner Simone Constant singled out super fund chief investment officers for failing to ask their external managers whether they meet the regulator’s ten principles of private credit done well. The team dig into her speech and discuss why the corporate cop is taking aim at super funds.

Meanwhile, the $160 billion UniSuper is looking for new ways to tap into the AI thematic without stuffing the private markets portfolio with data centres.

Hosted by Investment Magazine editor Lachlan Maddock, joined by Retirement Magazine editor Simon Hoyle and APAC correspondent Darcy Song. Join the conversation every Friday. Produced by Harvey McKay with marketing content by Jack Smith.

]]> No How TPA became a product; Why industry funds can't stem flows to SMSFs 5 5 How TPA became a product; Why industry funds can't stem flows to SMSFs full 9980b28d-7181-46df-9425-7a2af5e5f810 https://share.transistor.fm/s/2ab89d7d Welcome to Investment Magazine On Background, the podcast series where our experienced team of journalists take you behind the news and dig into the context behind the biggest stories shaping Australia's asset owner landscape.

This week, Niall O’Sullivan, the global chief investment officer of Marsh (formerly known as Mercer), warned that asset managers were increasingly adopting the language of the total portfolio approach to tailor pitches to asset owners  that had embraced it. Darcy Song discusses her key takeaways from her interview with O’Sullivan. 

Simon Hoyle also reports on new research showing that the age of SMSF establishment is falling as more investors look to take control over their financial future, with much of the money coming out of profit-to-member funds. 

Hosted by Investment Magazine editor Lachlan Maddock, joined by Retirement Magazine editor Simon Hoyle and APAC correspondent Darcy Song. Join the conversation every Friday. Produced by Harvey McKay with marketing content by Jack Smith.

]]> Welcome to Investment Magazine On Background, the podcast series where our experienced team of journalists take you behind the news and dig into the context behind the biggest stories shaping Australia's asset owner landscape.

This week, Niall O’Sullivan, the global chief investment officer of Marsh (formerly known as Mercer), warned that asset managers were increasingly adopting the language of the total portfolio approach to tailor pitches to asset owners  that had embraced it. Darcy Song discusses her key takeaways from her interview with O’Sullivan. 

Simon Hoyle also reports on new research showing that the age of SMSF establishment is falling as more investors look to take control over their financial future, with much of the money coming out of profit-to-member funds. 

Hosted by Investment Magazine editor Lachlan Maddock, joined by Retirement Magazine editor Simon Hoyle and APAC correspondent Darcy Song. Join the conversation every Friday. Produced by Harvey McKay with marketing content by Jack Smith.

]]> Thu, 17 Sep 2026 20:52:01 -0700 Investment Magazine Investment Magazine 1383 Welcome to Investment Magazine On Background, the podcast series where our experienced team of journalists take you behind the news and dig into the context behind the biggest stories shaping Australia's asset owner landscape.

This week, Niall O’Sullivan, the global chief investment officer of Marsh (formerly known as Mercer), warned that asset managers were increasingly adopting the language of the total portfolio approach to tailor pitches to asset owners  that had embraced it. Darcy Song discusses her key takeaways from her interview with O’Sullivan. 

Simon Hoyle also reports on new research showing that the age of SMSF establishment is falling as more investors look to take control over their financial future, with much of the money coming out of profit-to-member funds. 

Hosted by Investment Magazine editor Lachlan Maddock, joined by Retirement Magazine editor Simon Hoyle and APAC correspondent Darcy Song. Join the conversation every Friday. Produced by Harvey McKay with marketing content by Jack Smith.

]]> No One Nation's raid on preservation; Super as soft power 4 4 One Nation's raid on preservation; Super as soft power full 036b869c-cff6-4226-8ae0-14f8c7d6a07c https://share.transistor.fm/s/74c0f097 This week, One Nation proposed letting renters and mortgage holders divert part of their employer super contributions into take-home pay for up to three years. The team discusses why the industry's standard response isn't landing, what the policy would mean for admin systems, and where the money would actually go.

Simon Hoyle also reports back from Kevin Rudd's National Press Club address, "The Complacent Country", which named seven areas where Australia needs greater national resilience. The team covers where super funds fit into them, and the nation-building assets they are – and aren't – willing to touch.

Hosted by Investment Magazine editor Lachlan Maddock, joined by Retirement Magazine editor Simon Hoyle and APAC correspondent Darcy Song. Join the conversation every Friday. Produced by Harvey McKay with marketing content by Jack Smith.

]]> This week, One Nation proposed letting renters and mortgage holders divert part of their employer super contributions into take-home pay for up to three years. The team discusses why the industry's standard response isn't landing, what the policy would mean for admin systems, and where the money would actually go.

Simon Hoyle also reports back from Kevin Rudd's National Press Club address, "The Complacent Country", which named seven areas where Australia needs greater national resilience. The team covers where super funds fit into them, and the nation-building assets they are – and aren't – willing to touch.

Hosted by Investment Magazine editor Lachlan Maddock, joined by Retirement Magazine editor Simon Hoyle and APAC correspondent Darcy Song. Join the conversation every Friday. Produced by Harvey McKay with marketing content by Jack Smith.

]]> Thu, 10 Sep 2026 22:22:07 -0700 Investment Magazine Investment Magazine 1208 This week, One Nation proposed letting renters and mortgage holders divert part of their employer super contributions into take-home pay for up to three years. The team discusses why the industry's standard response isn't landing, what the policy would mean for admin systems, and where the money would actually go.

Simon Hoyle also reports back from Kevin Rudd's National Press Club address, "The Complacent Country", which named seven areas where Australia needs greater national resilience. The team covers where super funds fit into them, and the nation-building assets they are – and aren't – willing to touch.

Hosted by Investment Magazine editor Lachlan Maddock, joined by Retirement Magazine editor Simon Hoyle and APAC correspondent Darcy Song. Join the conversation every Friday. Produced by Harvey McKay with marketing content by Jack Smith.

]]> No MUFG eats up Grow Inc; nailing retirement’s two phases; risks behind investing in China’s tech boom 3 3 MUFG eats up Grow Inc; nailing retirement’s two phases; risks behind investing in China’s tech boom full a4006119-846f-496c-aa28-daf483b70d0c https://share.transistor.fm/s/fc46e2e6 At the tail of last week, MUFG Pension & Market Services announced that it will acquire smaller rival Grow Inc in a further consolidation among the superannuation administration services; the team unpacks what this means for the industry's competition dynamics.

 

On the retirement front, the team examined what are the two phases of retirement super funds need to get across, as proposed by the Conexus Institute, and why most funds are only good at the first.

]]> At the tail of last week, MUFG Pension & Market Services announced that it will acquire smaller rival Grow Inc in a further consolidation among the superannuation administration services; the team unpacks what this means for the industry's competition dynamics.

 

On the retirement front, the team examined what are the two phases of retirement super funds need to get across, as proposed by the Conexus Institute, and why most funds are only good at the first.

]]> Thu, 03 Sep 2026 22:13:38 -0700 Investment Magazine Investment Magazine 1333 At the tail of last week, MUFG Pension & Market Services announced that it will acquire smaller rival Grow Inc in a further consolidation among the superannuation administration services; the team unpacks what this means for the industry's competition dynamics.

 

On the retirement front, the team examined what are the two phases of retirement super funds need to get across, as proposed by the Conexus Institute, and why most funds are only good at the first.

]]> No Future Fund’s changing of the guard; cracks in Australian private credit; new YFYS failures 2 2 Future Fund’s changing of the guard; cracks in Australian private credit; new YFYS failures full 021e775f-a483-42b2-9b72-bf9e32412939 https://share.transistor.fm/s/4264e706 On Wednesday, Future Fund CEO Raphael Arndt announced he would be stepping down from the role. Investment Magazine journalists examine what the change will mean for Australia’s sovereign wealth fund and what its leadership might look like amidst a wider changing of the guard. Meanwhile, ASIC is worried about the “first significant cracks” in Australian private credit and APRA has released the latest YFYS performance test results – with one notable failure.

Hosted by Investment Magazine editor Lachlan Maddock, joined by Retirement Magazine editor Simon Hoyle and APAC correspondent Darcy Song. Join the conversation every Friday.

]]> On Wednesday, Future Fund CEO Raphael Arndt announced he would be stepping down from the role. Investment Magazine journalists examine what the change will mean for Australia’s sovereign wealth fund and what its leadership might look like amidst a wider changing of the guard. Meanwhile, ASIC is worried about the “first significant cracks” in Australian private credit and APRA has released the latest YFYS performance test results – with one notable failure.

Hosted by Investment Magazine editor Lachlan Maddock, joined by Retirement Magazine editor Simon Hoyle and APAC correspondent Darcy Song. Join the conversation every Friday.

]]> Thu, 27 Aug 2026 21:11:48 -0700 Investment Magazine Investment Magazine 1293 On Wednesday, Future Fund CEO Raphael Arndt announced he would be stepping down from the role. Investment Magazine journalists examine what the change will mean for Australia’s sovereign wealth fund and what its leadership might look like amidst a wider changing of the guard. Meanwhile, ASIC is worried about the “first significant cracks” in Australian private credit and APRA has released the latest YFYS performance test results – with one notable failure.

Hosted by Investment Magazine editor Lachlan Maddock, joined by Retirement Magazine editor Simon Hoyle and APAC correspondent Darcy Song. Join the conversation every Friday.

]]> No The speech that rewrote the rules on super advice; APRA's cyber risk crackdown; and the upside of geopolitical chaos 1 1 The speech that rewrote the rules on super advice; APRA's cyber risk crackdown; and the upside of geopolitical chaos full 81ffefd2-a435-44db-9081-468f82fa958a https://share.transistor.fm/s/c9d6b25a Welcome to the pilot episode of On Background, a new weekly series from Investment Magazine where our experienced team of journalists take you behind the news and digs into the context behind the biggest stories shaping the superannuation industry.

On Wednesday, Minister for Financial Services Daniel Mulino delivered a speech at the National Press Club that confirmed the ability of APRA-regulated super funds to deliver personalised and relevant guidance and financial advice to members, as the government sought to revive the Delivering Better Financial Outcomes reforms. Investment Magazine journalists report from Canberra on what was said and how it's landing. Meanwhile, APRA is cracking down on funds over cyber security and geopolitical risk frameworks.

Hosted by Investment Magazine editor Lachlan Maddock, joined by Retirement Magazine editor Simon Hoyle and APAC correspondent Darcy Song. Join the conversation every Friday.

]]> Welcome to the pilot episode of On Background, a new weekly series from Investment Magazine where our experienced team of journalists take you behind the news and digs into the context behind the biggest stories shaping the superannuation industry.

On Wednesday, Minister for Financial Services Daniel Mulino delivered a speech at the National Press Club that confirmed the ability of APRA-regulated super funds to deliver personalised and relevant guidance and financial advice to members, as the government sought to revive the Delivering Better Financial Outcomes reforms. Investment Magazine journalists report from Canberra on what was said and how it's landing. Meanwhile, APRA is cracking down on funds over cyber security and geopolitical risk frameworks.

Hosted by Investment Magazine editor Lachlan Maddock, joined by Retirement Magazine editor Simon Hoyle and APAC correspondent Darcy Song. Join the conversation every Friday.

]]> Thu, 20 Aug 2026 21:38:26 -0700 Investment Magazine Investment Magazine 1570 Welcome to the pilot episode of On Background, a new weekly series from Investment Magazine where our experienced team of journalists take you behind the news and digs into the context behind the biggest stories shaping the superannuation industry.

On Wednesday, Minister for Financial Services Daniel Mulino delivered a speech at the National Press Club that confirmed the ability of APRA-regulated super funds to deliver personalised and relevant guidance and financial advice to members, as the government sought to revive the Delivering Better Financial Outcomes reforms. Investment Magazine journalists report from Canberra on what was said and how it's landing. Meanwhile, APRA is cracking down on funds over cyber security and geopolitical risk frameworks.

Hosted by Investment Magazine editor Lachlan Maddock, joined by Retirement Magazine editor Simon Hoyle and APAC correspondent Darcy Song. Join the conversation every Friday.

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