A letter from Dave Woodall, CEO Superannuation

As we move through the second half of 2025, I want to take a moment to thank you for your continued partnership and support. This year has brought meaningful progress across our superannuation business – from investment performance and digital transformation to member engagement and financial wellbeing. In this update, I’m pleased to share key developments, upcoming changes, and new initiatives designed to help you and your employees get the most out of their super.

A Smooth Transition to SS&C

We’re pleased to share that the transition of our Technology and Operations teams to SS&C Technologies has now been successfully completed.

As part of our strategic partnership with SS&C, a global leader in technology and operations, Insignia Financial has now fully subcontracted a range of functions supporting our superannuation business. This marks a significant milestone in our journey to simplify and transform our operations, while continuing to deliver value to your business and employees.

Importantly, your day-to-day experience remains unchanged. You’ll continue to work with the same contacts, using the same phone numbers and email addresses. Member data continues to reside on Insignia Financial’s superannuation platforms, in line with APRA regulations and our privacy and data handling standards. Over time, as we progress with the transformation of our Master Trust offerings, data will migrate to SS&C’s platforms – always remaining securely within Australia and aligning with our privacy and data handling standards.

We’re proud of the strong foundation we’ve built with SS&C and excited about the opportunities ahead. Together, we’re committed to delivering enhanced digital experiences, more efficient service, and long-term stability and growth for your business and employees.

Top 5 over 5 years for the MySuper Growth Portfolio

The MLC MySuper Growth Portfolio – where the majority of our MySuper members are invested – delivered a strong, double-digit return of 10.1% over the year to 30 June 2025, and 9.2% p.a. over five years. These results reflect the strength of our investment approach and our commitment to delivering consistent outcomes for members.

While recent global events - including shifts in US trade policy and rising tensions in the Middle East - have added to market uncertainty, our disciplined investment approach and focus on diversification continue to support longer-term performance. The Portfolio remains actively managed and well-positioned for a changing market landscape.

In this article, Steve Gamerov, Head of Diversified Portfolios at MLC Asset Management, unpacks the key forces that shaped performance over the financial year and highlights how the MySuper Growth Portfolio is being strategically positioned for the future.

You can visit MLC’s quarterly performance page to find out more about the strong performance of MLC’s MySuper Growth Portfolio.

You can also hear more from Steve Gamerov and MLC Asset Management’s investment experts by watching our latest Expert Insights Quarterly Investment Webinar held in August.

Results across our ready-made portfolios

Our broader range of ready-made portfolios also delivered solid performance, with the MLC High Growth option returning a strong 11.4% over the year to 30 June 2025.

Designed for members seeking higher long-term growth, the MLC High Growth option is a diversified portfolio that’s invested in more traditionally-focused growth assets, such as shares, with minimal exposure to more defensive asset classes like cash and fixed income.

Other ready-made options also delivered solid outcomes for the one year to 30 June 2025, ranging from 7.2% for the MLC Stable option to 13.0% for the MLC Aggressive option. Compare the performance of our different investment options here.

Payday Super – getting ready for the change

As part of the Government’s proposed reforms to strengthen the superannuation system, Payday Super is set to commence from 1 July 2026. This change will require employers to pay Superannuation Guarantee (SG) contributions at the same time as salary and wages—moving from quarterly to more frequent payments.

The aim is to improve retirement outcomes by reducing delays and ensuring super is paid promptly. For employers, it means aligning payroll systems so SG contributions reach employees’ super funds within seven calendar days of each payday.

While the legislation is still to be introduced in Parliament, now is a great time to start reviewing your payroll processes. We’re committed to supporting you through this transition and will continue to provide updates as more details become available.

Additional enhancements to cyber security

As part of our cyber security enhancements, we have released additional multi-factor authentication (MFA) for your employees when logging into MLC online via the secure website or MLC mobile app. The MFA increases the protection against unauthorised access, fraudulent activity and to safeguard data and accounts. From time to time your employees will be prompted to complete additional authentication checks by entering a one-time verification code sent by SMS or email, when logging into MLC online via the secure website or MLC mobile app.

For more information about online security visit our cyber security webpage.

Changes to insurance cover and fee caps

Great news, we’re reducing most of the premium rates for your employees’ insurance in super. This is part of our regular review process, ensuring your employees’ insurance in super continues to be fair and competitively priced.

We’re also removing the insurance fee cap and reducing the Administration fee cap.

For more information, head to the full article page or reach out to your relationship manager.

Nominating a binding beneficiary is about to get simpler

As part of our ongoing commitment to simplify our business and provide value to your employees, we’re making changes to our process for nominating a beneficiary.

From 1 October, your employees will be able to nominate a binding beneficiary online. No paperwork, no signatures, no witnesses. Just peace of mind for them and their loved ones, knowing their super will be paid according to their wishes.

Details will be available at mlc.com.au/beneficiary from 1 October 2025.

Empowering employees with tools, advice and education

At MLC, we understand that financial confidence and clarity are essential to helping your employees achieve better retirement outcomes. Our recent research with McCrindle revealed that only 34% of Australians feel financially confident, and more than 1 in 3 say that access to tools, education, and advice will help them improve their financial confidence and overall financial wellbeing¹.

We’re proud to offer our members a wide range of tools and services that directly respond to these needs:

• Online tools and calculators like MLC Money View, the Retirement Projector, the Personal Super Calculator, the Insurance Needs Estimator, and the SuperSizer Super Comparison Tool—all designed to provide personalised insights and projections to help members make informed decisions about their finances.
• Online education and guidance is available through our News & views hub, featuring a rich mix of videos, webinars, and articles that cover budgeting, super fundamentals, retirement planning, and more.
• Access to help, guidance and advice including:

- Financial Coaching – general advice and education from qualified professionals at no additional cost. Members can book an appointment by visiting www.mlc.com.au/bookacoach.

- Simple Super Advice – personal intra-fund advice on super strategies such as investment recommendations, contribution optimisation and retirement options.

- Comprehensive Advice – available as a fee-based service through our Bridges and Shadforth partners for members seeking full financial planning support.

For eligible clients, we also offer tailored service plans, workplace education seminars, and on-site consultations to further support employee engagement and financial literacy.

Together, we can help your workforce build financial confidence and clarity, today and into retirement.

We look forward to continuing our relationship and supporting your employees’ financial journeys. Stay tuned for more updates, and as always, don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or feedback.

Warm regards,
Dave Woodall
CEO, Superannuation | Insignia Financial