The Coalition government did introduce a new benchmark system for superannuation funds in the 2020-21 Budget [1].
这 zhè 被 bèi 正式 zhèng shì 称为 chēng wéi " " Your Your Future Future , , Your Your Super Super " " ( ( YFYS YFYS ) ) 改革方案 gǎi gé fāng àn , , 其中 qí zhōng 包括 bāo kuò 年度 nián dù 养老金 yǎng lǎo jīn 绩效 jì xiào 测试 cè shì [ [ 2 2 ] ] 。 。
This was formally called the "Your Future, Your Super" (YFYS) reform package, which included the Annual Superannuation Performance Test [2].
**What the test actually measures:**
The performance test compares MySuper products' actual financial year returns "net of fees" over the past **8 years** against composite benchmarks derived from strategic asset allocations [3].
The test is not strictly "short-term" as the claim suggests—it uses an 8-year lookback period, which institutional investors typically consider medium to long-term [4].
**How benchmarks are constructed:**
APRA uses "an agreed set of benchmarks to judge each asset class" [5].
The test specifically measures whether funds beat a benchmark tailored to their asset allocation, not a one-size-fits-all comparison [3].
**Consequences for underperformance:**
Funds that fail the test two consecutive years are barred from accepting new members, though they can resume accepting members when performance improves [1].
**The claim's characterization of "short-term" focus is inaccurate.** The 8-year measurement period is not short-term—it's explicitly designed to avoid penalizing funds for temporary market downturns.
An academic analysis notes that when the test began: "when the performance test began, it was aimed squarely at MySuper default funds" and "Of the thirteen funds which failed in the first year, only four of nine (44%) failed a second time" [4], demonstrating that one-year poor performance doesn't result in closure.
**Risk-adjustment considerations:**
The claim asserts the test ignores risk, but this requires nuance.
However, critics have noted the test does not explicitly incorporate risk-adjusted metrics like Sharpe ratios or other sophisticated risk measures [5].
**The Enron analogy is unsupported.** The claim suggests the system incentivizes dangerous risk-taking, but the actual mechanism does not:
- Benchmarks are based on the fund's stated asset allocation strategy, not on absolute returns [3]
- Funds cannot simply chase high-risk investments and be rewarded—they'd be compared against a different benchmark if they changed their asset allocation
- The test has resulted in improved market stability, not herding into risky assets [6]
While this doesn't invalidate its reporting, it creates a potential institutional bias favoring industry (typically larger, established) funds over retail funds.
文章 wén zhāng 引用 yǐn yòng 了 le 工党 gōng dǎng 养老金 yǎng lǎo jīn 发言人 fā yán rén Stephen Stephen Jones Jones 的 de 言论 yán lùn , , 他 tā 表示 biǎo shì 新 xīn 系统 xì tǒng 可能 kě néng 将 jiāng " " 成员 chéng yuán 绑定 bǎng dìng 在 zài 一个 yí gè 烂 làn 基金 jī jīn 上 shàng " " , , 这 zhè 反映 fǎn yìng 了 le 工党 gōng dǎng 最初 zuì chū 的 de 怀疑 huái yí 态度 tài dù , , 但 dàn 不 bù 一定 yí dìng 代表 dài biǎo 客观 kè guān 分析 fēn xī 。 。
The article quotes Labor superannuation spokesman Stephen Jones stating the new system risked tying "members to a dud," which reflects Labor's initial skepticism but not necessarily objective analysis.
文章 wén zhāng 确实 què shí 包含 bāo hán 了 le 来自 lái zì Chant Chant West West 分析师 fēn xī shī Ian Ian Fryer Fryer 等 děng 中立 zhōng lì 来源 lái yuán 和 hé 行业 háng yè 代表 dài biǎo 的 de 引述 yǐn shù , , 提供 tí gōng 了 le 一定 yí dìng 的 de 平衡性 píng héng xìng [ [ 1 1 ] ] 。 。
The article does include quotes from neutral sources like Chant West analyst Ian Fryer and industry representatives, providing some balance [1].
**Did Labor do something similar?**
Labor opposed the YFYS reforms when initially proposed, with Stephen Jones calling the consultation process "crazy" and arguing that the government failed to properly consult industry [7].
* * * *
However, **Labor did not propose eliminating the performance test once in government**.
Instead, Stephen Jones as Treasurer extended the performance test in 2023 to include ethical funds and maintained the test's core structure [8].
**Comparison of approaches:**
Rather than introducing a fundamentally different system, Labor opted to expand and refine the existing Coalition framework, suggesting they found it workable with modifications [8].
**Criticisms of the system are legitimate:**
Recent industry analysis identifies genuine concerns about the performance test:
- It focuses on net-of-fee returns without explicit risk-adjustment metrics [5]
- The Reserve Bank of Australia has raised concerns about "herding around common benchmarks," noting funds may adopt similar investment strategies to avoid failing benchmarks, potentially "amplifying shocks" in the financial system [6]
- The test does not account for ESG objectives, sustainability goals, or member age profiles [3]
**Why the Coalition introduced this system:**
The government's rationale was to eliminate poor-performing default funds and reduce the $450 million annually Australians paid in unnecessary fees due to multiple accounts [1].
近期 jìn qī 行业 háng yè 分析 fēn xī 确定 què dìng 了 le 绩效 jì xiào 测试 cè shì 的 de 实际 shí jì 关切 guān qiè : :
The system was designed to increase transparency and accountability, which have demonstrably worked—fee reductions have been substantial and underperformance has decreased dramatically [3].
**Results suggest the system has been effective:**
Since introduction:
- In 2021: approximately 1 million Australians were in failing products
- By 2025: only 8,500 Australians in failing products (99% reduction) [10]
- MySuper default fees have fallen to 0.2-0.4% range from 1-1.5% previously [10]
- No MySuper default products failed the 2024 test [3]
These outcomes suggest the system, while imperfect, has achieved its primary objective of protecting retirement savings.
**Is the "lemming cliff" concern valid?**
The herding concern has merit in theory, but practical evidence is mixed:
- Funds are compared against benchmarks reflecting their own asset allocation, not a uniform standard [3]
- The dramatic improvement in fund performance and fee reduction suggests competition on genuine metrics, not uniform herding [10]
- However, the RBA's 2024 warning about herding behavior indicates this remains an ongoing supervision issue [6]
The Coalition did introduce a benchmark system that tests short-term (relative to long-term retirement horizons) performance, though the 8-year measurement period is not strictly "short-term." The test does not explicitly incorporate risk-adjustment metrics, making critics' concerns about potentially incentivizing risk-taking theoretically possible.
However, the "lemmings off a cliff" characterization is hyperbolic and unsupported by evidence—the system has actually driven improved performance and reduced herding into underperforming funds.
然而 rán ér , , " " 旅鼠 lǚ shǔ 跳崖 tiào yá " " 的 de 表述 biǎo shù 是 shì 夸张 kuā zhāng 的 de 且 qiě 缺乏 quē fá 证据 zhèng jù 支持 zhī chí — — — — 该 gāi 系统 xì tǒng 实际上 shí jì shàng 推动 tuī dòng 了 le 表现 biǎo xiàn 的 de 改善 gǎi shàn , , 并 bìng 减少 jiǎn shǎo 了 le 向 xiàng 表现 biǎo xiàn 不佳 bù jiā 基金 jī jīn 的 de 羊群 yáng qún 效应 xiào yìng 。 。
The test has real limitations that Labor has acknowledged, but both parties have maintained its core structure when in government.
The Coalition did introduce a benchmark system that tests short-term (relative to long-term retirement horizons) performance, though the 8-year measurement period is not strictly "short-term." The test does not explicitly incorporate risk-adjustment metrics, making critics' concerns about potentially incentivizing risk-taking theoretically possible.
However, the "lemmings off a cliff" characterization is hyperbolic and unsupported by evidence—the system has actually driven improved performance and reduced herding into underperforming funds.
然而 rán ér , , " " 旅鼠 lǚ shǔ 跳崖 tiào yá " " 的 de 表述 biǎo shù 是 shì 夸张 kuā zhāng 的 de 且 qiě 缺乏 quē fá 证据 zhèng jù 支持 zhī chí — — — — 该 gāi 系统 xì tǒng 实际上 shí jì shàng 推动 tuī dòng 了 le 表现 biǎo xiàn 的 de 改善 gǎi shàn , , 并 bìng 减少 jiǎn shǎo 了 le 向 xiàng 表现 biǎo xiàn 不佳 bù jiā 基金 jī jīn 的 de 羊群 yáng qún 效应 xiào yìng 。 。
The test has real limitations that Labor has acknowledged, but both parties have maintained its core structure when in government.