That Super Show

Neil Benson & Sarah Penn
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  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

That Super Show brings you the latest news, insights and industry interviews to help Australian superannuation professionals improve retirement outcomes for Australians. Hosted by Sarah Penn, CEO of Mayflower Consulting, and Neil Benson, CEO of Superware.

  1. 3D AGO

    Brand Recognition, Churn, and Retirement: What’s Really Moving the Superannuation Needle

    #19. Co-hosts Neil Benson and Sarah Penn unpack the latest trends and news impacting the superannuation industry. We cover: Super brand recognition: Surprising results from a Conjointly brand tracker highlight low public awareness of major super brands, including only 57% recognition for AussieSuper and 49% for Hostplus, challenging industry assumptions.The complexity and cost of rebranding: Rebrands are frequent but often more about internal politics than member benefit, and establishing a new name remains a major challenge.The effectiveness of marketing: Despite significant marketing spend, switching rates and member engagement appear largely unchanged, raising questions about return on investment.Member churn and fund flows: Recent reports show industry fund outflows to adviser-led platforms are modest compared to overall inflows, with most money still coming in via default arrangements rather than active switching.Retention dilemmas: As members with larger balances approach retirement, funds struggle to retain them, particularly when financial advisers commonly recommend rolling over to retail platforms.Regulatory challenges and innovation barriers: Uncertainty around advice laws is inhibiting proactive member communications and innovation, especially in retirement products.Fraud and scam protection: ASIC urges funds to strengthen member communications to prevent fraud, but losses remain minor (at $22 million), and tougher controls could erode member experience.Confidence and legislative change: Frequent government tinkering causes member concern, yet most changes aim to improve fairness, and fears of losing all super are unfounded.New superannuation legislation: Discussion around the Building a Stronger and Fairer Super System bill, with support for balancing changes to both high and low-balance accounts.Industry news: Notable updates include Commonwealth Super’s major tech upgrade, HESTA CEO Debbie Blakey’s retirement, and the release of a new AFCA complaints guide.Personal achievement: Neil celebrates passing the RG 146 superannuation qualification after a challenging process. RESOURCES Super brand tracker confirms golden status of AustralianSuper | Financial Standard - Brand Tracker by Conjointly based on 1344 individuals. 57% recognised AustralianSuper, 49% Hostplus, 48% AMP, 47% Rest, 45% CBUS. Survey also ranked consideration, performance perception, and customer support.Superannuation customer churn hits First Super, NGS Super and Hostplus...

    30 min

  2. FEB 2

    ASIC’s 2026 Priorities: What Super Funds Need to Know

    #18. Co-hosts Sarah Penn and Neil Benson discuss ASIC’s 2026 priorities and what they mean for super funds. Private credit risks: ASIC flags concerns about retail exposure to private market credit products. Experience of fund managers and transparency are under the spotlight. Operational failures: Claims delays, cyber resilience, fraud and poor IT get a special mention - 'nuf said really! Aggressive product marketing: will be stopping. We hope. Audit and valuation standards: Poor quality sustainability reporting and inconsistent unlisted asset valuations—ASIC wants more evidence and comparability between funds. Plus a cooks tour of the ASIC priorities that are 'super adjacent'.

    30 min

  3. JAN 19

    Adrian Gervasoni: Transforming Member Portals for Superannuation Success

    #17. Co-hosts Sarah Penn and Neil Benson chat with Adrian Gervasoni, Executive Manager Advice Services at Industry Fund Services. We cover a lot of ground, including: Member engagement challengesRethinking the member journeySuper as 'your future wage'Super portals try to present too much infoThe power of nudgesThe new class of advisers - what this means in practiseWhat we can learn from banks closing branches and moving customers onlineWebinars and events are fun but only reach a small number of peopleThe future of portals Want to hear more from Adrian? Follow him on LinkedIn. And have ideas for other guests we should interview? Drop us a line and let us know!

    45 min

  4. JAN 7

    Welcome to 2026!

    #16. Co-hosts Neil Benson and Sarah Penn return for the first episode of 2026 with a roundup of big news and trends in the superannuation industry. We cover: Holiday updates: Neil did some DIY renovations and Sarah struggled to find a builder, opting for travel instead.CSLR debate: Misha Schubert from the Super Members Council suggests SMSFs should pay for the Compensation Scheme of Last Resort, not industry fund members; both hosts agree she has a fair point.Managed investment schemes: Discussion of how APRA-regulated funds often use managed schemes and why strong investment governance is critical, especially in light of recent investment failures.Investment performance tests: Schubert’s call for performance tests on every super investment option prompts debate about the practicality versus potential benefits, with both hosts questioning the cost-benefit of such extensive reforms.Member engagement survey: SMC data shows younger, more educated members are much more engaged, but Neil and Sarah note the correlation is likely skewed by survey respondent bias and income/balance factors.Super fund branding and advertising: The hosts discuss the pros and cons of memorable ad campaigns, from hairy mascots to high-profile sports sponsorships, and examine their impact on fund awareness and acquisition.Third party administrator shakeup: Upcoming acquisition of Mercer’s admin business by Apex signals increased consolidation; the hosts express concerns over whether this will drive real improvements in service quality.Outsourcing vs. insourcing: Large funds may increasingly bring admin back in-house to manage cost and service quality, leading to more hybrid operating models.The “mechanistic vs. ecosystem” mindset: Sarah introduces insights from another podcast advocating for treating businesses and the super industry as living systems rather than machines—emphasizing test-and-learn approaches and accounting for human complexity rather than blaming process participants.Claims management complexity: Discussion on why systemic, ecosystem-level solutions are needed for claim delays rather than blaming individuals. Big Idea The Problem of Mechanistic Thinking Favourite Xmas gift Sarah's new Owala waterbottle Least favourite Xmas gift An 'avocado knife'. With apologies to Neil's wife!

    24 min

  5. 12/29/2025

    Superannuation's 2025 in Review: Key Legislation, Tech Shifts, and Industry Growing Pains

    #15. Neil Benson and Sarah Penn dive into a lively year-end review of Australia’s superannuation industry. From legislative wins and regulatory challenges to industry shakeups and innovative tech trends, they unpack the major highlights and low points that shaped 2025. You’ll hear their candid takes on big topics like Division 296 reforms, the SG rate increase, the impact of Payday Super, and ongoing compensation scheme debates. Plus, hear all about the headaches of system migrations—as well as the opportunities AI is unlocking for super funds. 2025 Highlights: Div296 was fixed, LISTO was increased, Pay Day Super legislation passed, and of course, That Super Show was launched too! 2025 Lowlights: investigation into collapse of Shield Master Fund and First Guardian Master Trust widens, shortcomings in death benefits and insurance claim handling have been papered-over. Daniel Mulino taps super funds to prop up Compensation Scheme of Last Resort. Mulino taps super sector to help pay CSLR special levy | Financial Standard HESTA has extra license conditions imposed by APRA. 7 weeks' downtime switching from MUFG to GROW. Irony of being slapped by the regulator who wants funds to innovate and improve productivity. APRA imposes additional licence conditions on HESTA | APRA Irony of rumours that MUFG may acquire GROW! Administration technology is old, never designed for payday super or decumulation, and has to be the same across as many funds as possible. What MUFG's bid for Grow says about the state of super admin - Investment Magazine Governing the Invisible: by Ash Priest and Alex Monynihan at Novigi, about governing AI from a super fund trustee's perspective using ISO 42001 for AI management systems. Governing the invisible: Why super funds need to get real about AI | FS Super That Super Show Shorts. Daily short videos on news and views for superannuation professionals. That Super Show Shorts - YouTube That Super Show Visit That Super Show website and become a newsletter subscriberFollow That Super Show on LinkedInFollow That Super Show on YouTubeFollow That Super Show Shorts on YouTubeEmail That Super Show Sarah Penn, CEO of Mayflower Consulting Connect with Sarah on LinkedInFollow Mayflower Consulting on LinkedInVisit Mayflower Consulting's website Neil Benson,...

    21 min

  6. 12/15/2025

    Navigating the Superannuation Talent Market with Victoria Butt, Parity Consulting

    #14. Cohosts Neil Benson and Sarah Penn are joined by Victoria Butt, CEO and founder of Parity Consulting, to unpack the latest trends shaping the talent market as we head toward 2026. Drawing on fresh insights from nearly 5,000 industry professionals, they discuss the shifting priorities of Australia's financial services workforce, the surprising dynamics around return-to-office mandates, and the ongoing impacts of mergers and acquisitions in superannuation. From the rise of exciting projects as a top motivator to the persistent importance of remuneration, Victoria sheds light on how macroeconomic factors, AI, and company culture are redefining careers in the sector. The conversation also touches on the growing demand for adaptable leaders, the under-recognised power of mentorship in data roles, and the critical need for organisations to address burnout and investment in career development. Whether you’re interested in the future of work, looking to progress your career, or simply wanting to stay ahead in the world of super, this episode is packed with valuable insights you won’t want to miss. OUR GUEST Victoria Butt on LinkedInParity Consulting on LinkedInDownload Parity Consulting's FY2025 Salary Guide That Super Show Visit That Super Show website and become a newsletter subscriberFollow That Super Show on LinkedInFollow That Super Show on YouTubeFollow That Super Show Shorts on YouTubeEmail That Super Show Sarah Penn, CEO of Mayflower Consulting Connect with Sarah on LinkedInFollow Mayflower Consulting on LinkedInVisit Mayflower Consulting's website Neil Benson, Founder of Novagentic Connect with Neil on LinkedInFollow Novagentic on LinkedInVisit Novagentic website

    30 min

  7. 11/24/2025

    Member Engagement Breakthroughs: Insights from Engage 2025

    #13. Hosts Neil Benson and Sarah Penn dive deep into the world of Australian superannuation. This week, they're joined by an insightful panel of guests—including Emma Jonceski (Aware Super), Cathy Duncan (TCS), Alana Devitt (CoreData), Dan McKean (Chandler), and Zoe Sheehan (TAL)—as they unpack all the highlights from the IBRC Engage 2025 Future of Member Engagement, Comms, and Experience Forum. From industry stats that’ll make you rethink member engagement, to personal stories and clever ideas buzzing around the conference, you’ll hear the latest on how funds are transforming their communications, the role of technology and AI, and the untapped opportunities to enhance member experience. Get ready for candid conversations, practical examples, and future-focused thinking—all designed to help you, your fund, and your members stay ahead in a rapidly evolving super landscape. Let’s get into it! Thanks to our special guests from Engage 2025: Emma Jonceski on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmajonceskiCathy Duncan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathyduncan1Alana Devitt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alanadevittDaniel McKean on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-mckean-a0b6bb22Zoe Sheehan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoe-sheehan-045a62121 That Super Show Visit That Super Show website and become a newsletter subscriberFollow That Super Show on LinkedInFollow That Super Show on YouTubeFollow That Super Show Shorts on YouTubeEmail That Super Show Sarah Penn, CEO of Mayflower Consulting Connect with Sarah on LinkedInFollow Mayflower Consulting on LinkedInVisit Mayflower Consulting's website Neil Benson, Founder of Novagentic Connect with Neil on LinkedInFollow Novagentic on LinkedInVisit Novagentic website

    27 min

  8. 11/17/2025

    How Will Australians Retire in 2040? Insights from the ASFA Conference

    #12 Neil and Sarah have just wrapped up at the ASFA conference, and they reconnect with industry leaders and discuss the latest trends shaping super, from digital innovation and regulatory challenges to the future of retirement. This episode features expert insights from guests like Jane Couchman from Aware Super, Zein el Hassan from Mills Oakley, and Shaun Bransdon from TAL Australia, covering everything from the rapid rise of AI in compliance to the changing expectations of retirement for future generations. 00:34 Exciting exhibitors at ASFA Conference 03:01 Zen el Hassan, Partner at Mills Oakley, on AI in advice and super 06:03 Sarah's top picks of ASFA Conference sessions 10:00 Sarah's big idea: Separating accumulation funds from retirement funds 12:41 Retirement Funds: Accumulation vs. Drawdown 16:08 Shaun Bransdon, GM of Retirement and Wealth at TAL Australia, on retirement in 2040 16:40 "Future of Retirement in Australia" 18:14 Australia's aging population challenges 23:02 Jane Couchman, Chief Risk Officer and Group Executive, Sustainability at Aware Super, on balancing risk and compliance with innovation 26:12 Future of retirement the super system in 2050 28:08 Reflections on ASFA Con 2025 and looking forward to 2026 NEW! You can now find That Super Show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thatsuper-show That Super Show Visit That Super Show website and become a newsletter subscriberFollow That Super Show on LinkedInFollow That Super Show on YouTubeFollow That Super Show Shorts on YouTubeEmail That Super Show Sarah Penn, CEO of Mayflower Consulting Connect with Sarah on LinkedInFollow Mayflower Consulting on LinkedInVisit Mayflower Consulting's website Neil Benson, Founder of Novagentic Connect with Neil on LinkedInFollow Novagentic on LinkedInVisit Novagentic website

    30 min
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About

That Super Show brings you the latest news, insights and industry interviews to help Australian superannuation professionals improve retirement outcomes for Australians. Hosted by Sarah Penn, CEO of Mayflower Consulting, and Neil Benson, CEO of Superware.

Information

  • Creator
    Neil Benson & Sarah Penn
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    19
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Neil Benson & Sarah Penn
  • Show Website
    That Super Show