Research Projects

AIST commissions and undertakes research projects, submissions and background papers that provide empirical data to inform the representative superannuation industry in its policy development.

AIST views research as an important way to:
• Provide leading edge information to our members on issues directly affecting them;
• Support our policy positions and submissions to Government;
• Support our Learning and Professional Development activities;
• Support our media activities; and
• Foster a culture of inquiry and continual improvement throughout the industry.

AIST delivers its research to members through our website, through Learning and Professional Development, and through our conferences and other events.

 

Research for 2009

Member Investment Choice & Fund

SwitchingThe global financial crisis represents the largest challenge to member confidence in the retirement income savings system since the advent of the superannuation guarantee in 1992. AIST commissioned a research project from the Centre for Retirement Incomes and Financial Education Research at Edith Cowan University to analyse the relative performance of members' investment choices during the market downturn.

The final report can be downloaded here.

 

Trustee board governance in the not-for-profit superannuation sector

The superannuation industry is critical to Australia's future, and impacts on virtually all Australian households. How the industry is governed, and who is ultimately in charge of decision making, is of key importance to regulators, members, and the wider public.

The Report can be downloaded here.

 

Asset Owners Climate Change Initiatives

In 2008, AIST partnered with the Climate Institute to establish the Asset Owners Climate Change Initiative.
The first stage of the initiative was a survey of asset owners, involving Australia's largest superannuation funds. The results were published in March 2009 and can be downloaded here.

Stage two was a survey of asset consultants. This survey reveals the opinions and capabilities of asset consultants, who advise super funds on decisions of asset allocation, on issues of climate change risk and opportunities. The results, published in September 2009, can be downloaded here.

 

Fund Governance in the Representative Trustee Sector

As a body representing trustees, AIST takes a keen interest in the governance of superannuation funds. In 2008, AIST commissioned a major research project from the Workplace Research Centre at the University of Sydney to analyse the governance of not-for-profit funds, and the linkages between governance and performance. A summary report of the project can be downloaded here.

The project contains three extended academic papers, which can be downloaded using the following links:
1. Download Governance and Performance in Superannuation Fund Management - An Issues and Research Design Paper here
2. Download Fund Performance in the Australian Superannation Industry here
3. Agents With Too Many Principals? An Analysis of Superannuation Fund Governance in Australia here

 

Research for 2008

Superannuation Mind & Mood

In 2008, AIST commissioned Ipsos Mackay to produce a report on superannuation attitudes and behaviour amongst Australian adults.

Download the report here…

 

Carbon Counts 2008: The Carbon Footprints of Australian Superannuation Investment Managers

AIST has commissioned Trucost to produce a report on the Carbon Footprint of Australian Super Funds and Equities Managers.

The Report can be downloaded here.

 

Co-contributions

Another key area of interest in the coming year will be the emerging debate around the adequacy of our current retirement incomes system. AIST intends to participate fully in the debate, and to support our position with in-depth research. The first element in this research is a project on the take-up and member attitudes to the co-contribution scheme.

Download the co-contributions research report here.

 

Insurance coverage in Industry Funds

AIST has jointly commissioned a research project with Industry Funds Forum (IFF), on the insurance coverage of fund members. The research has been conducted by Sweeney Research.

A copy of the Sweeney presentation on the research can be downloaded here