In this guide
Super funds top the trust rankings
Australians trust their superannuation fund to act in their best interests more than any other government or financial institution, according to research by the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA).
Australian super funds received the highest share of number one trust rankings in the ASFA 2025 survey and were also the most likely to be placed in respondents’ top three trusted organisations.
“It’s heartening to see Australians place such trust in the super system and their super funds,” ASFA chief executive officer Mary Delahunty said.
“We all have a role in guarding that trust. The super sector has had a great year for financial returns and has also made meaningful improvements to the service members receive,” she said.
The survey also found nearly 80% of people trust their fund to make sound financial decisions and more than 90% agreed that superannuation plays an important role in ensuring financial wellbeing in retirement.
Most members, or 79%, had a positive or very positive level of satisfaction with their fund’s performance.
Netwealth to compensate First Guardian failures
Netwealth has agreed to pay over $100 million in compensation to over 1,000 investors who invested in the failed First Guardian Master Fund via the Netwealth Superannuation Master Fund (NSMF).
Late last year the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) commenced proceedings in the Federal Court against Netwealth Superannuation Services (NSS) and Netwealth Investments as trustees of the NSMF. But Netwealth has also admitted it failed to obtain sufficient information about the First Guardian Master Fund prior to offering it as an investment option via the Netwealth Superannuation Master Fund (NSMF).
“This is a welcome outcome for many Australians and stems the significant losses that threatened their retirement savings,” deputy chair Sarah Court said.
The regulator has accepted a court-enforceable undertaking that will ensure NSMF members are compensated 100% of what they invested in First Guardian, minus any amounts withdrawn. These compensation payments need to be made by 30 January 2026.
Because of Netwealth’s cooperation and announcement to provide compensation, ASIC will not be seeking a monetary penalty in its proceedings due to theexceptional nature of the case.
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