Register For Our Mailing List

Register to receive our free weekly newsletter including editorials.

Home / 521

Podcast: Big flows into super funds force unlisted allocations

Season 2, Episode 5

In this week's episode, we welcome special guest, John Abernethy. John is the Founder and Chairman of Clime Investment Management. He's seemingly done it all across 40-plus years in investing, from managing multi-asset portfolios, to venture capital, and now overseeing a sizeable investment portfolio and financial advice business. John tells us that super funds aren't admitting to their biggest problem: having too much money is driving them into alternative assets. In a broad-ranging interview, he also outlines why bonds aren't great value right now and Aussie equities look good in comparison, as well as how the current government isn't doing enough to help reduce inflation.

Regular guest, Peter Warnes, has a different take to John's on super funds and unlisted assets. And he's scratching his head at a recent scathing review into APRA and its supervision of super. Finally, Graham Hand discusses why homeowning retirees should never run out of money, even though many fear they will.

The podcast is also available via our dedicated website page, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and BuzzSprout.

Please share with friends and colleagues, and a favourable rating would help spread the word. We welcome questions and suggestions at firstlinks@morningstar.com.

Grab a cuppa and settle in for our chat.

James Gruber
Editorial, Firstlinks and Morningstar

 

4 Comments
Michael2
August 12, 2023

Hi Graham, in your comments about reverse mortgages on the home, I don’t remember you mentioning that people often view the home as a deposit to get into a nursing home.

What are your views on not having a reverse mortgage to fund nursing home entry,

Michael

Graham Hand
August 12, 2023

Hi Michael2, good question, thanks. As you know, the cost of aged care is a complex and specialist subject which is why we often run Rachel Lane's articles, and in the same edition as the podcast, this article: https://www.firstlinks.com.au/consider-paying-nursing-home-accommodation

So to answer your question, the point I was making is that a major concern of homeowning retirees is that they may run out of money, and I argue they will not actually 'run out of money' as Australia offers a safety net system. I'm not suggesting people should aim to live on social security, just saying they will not literally 'run out of money'.

So in the same way some people can fall back on the age pension, as the nursing home articles says: "While some have their nursing home accommodation costs fully covered by the government (based on a means test), most will have to pay their own way. The average lump sum room value is A$334,000."

All circumstances are different but for many people, the value of their home will far exceed the cost of nursing home entry.

Michael2
August 13, 2023

Thanks Graham, much appreciated

Graham Hand
August 11, 2023

A correction on a statistic mentioned in my section. I should have said that based on life expectancies of people in a couple at age 65, there is a 50% chance one of them will still be alive at age 90.

 

Leave a Comment:

banner

Most viewed in recent weeks

The case for the $3 million super tax

The Government's proposed tax has copped a lot of flack though I think it's a reasonable approach to improve the long-term sustainability of superannuation and the retirement income system. Here’s why.

7 examples of how the new super tax will be calculated

You've no doubt heard about Division 296. These case studies show what people at various levels above the $3 million threshold might need to pay the ATO, with examples ranging from under $500 to more than $35,000.

The revolt against Baby Boomer wealth

The $3m super tax could be put down to the Government needing money and the wealthy being easy targets. It’s deeper than that though and this looks at the factors behind the policy and why more taxes on the wealthy are coming.

Meg on SMSFs: Withdrawing assets ahead of the $3m super tax

The super tax has caused an almighty scuffle, but for SMSFs impacted by the proposed tax, a big question remains: what should they do now? Here are ideas for those wanting to withdraw money from their SMSF.

The super tax and the defined benefits scandal

Australia's superannuation inequities date back to poor decisions made by Parliament two decades ago. If super for the wealthy needs resetting, so too does the defined benefits schemes for our public servants.

Are franking credits hurting Australia’s economy?

Business investment and per capita GDP have languished over the past decade and the Labor Government is conducting inquiries to find out why. Franking credits should be part of the debate about our stalling economy.

Latest Updates

Superannuation

Here's what should replace the $3 million super tax

With Div. 296 looming, is there a smarter way to tax superannuation? This proposes a fairer, income-linked alternative that respects compounding, ensures predictability, and avoids taxing unrealised capital gains. 

Superannuation

Less than 1% of wealthy families will struggle to pay super tax: study

An ANU study has found that families with at least one super balance over $3 million have average wealth exceeding $19 million - suggesting most are well placed to absorb taxes on unrealised capital gains.   

Superannuation

Are SMSFs getting too much of a free ride?

SMSFs have managed to match, or even outperform, larger super funds despite adopting more conservative investment strategies. This looks at how they've done it - and the potential policy implications.  

Property

A developer's take on Australia's housing issues

Stockland’s development chief discusses supply constraints, government initiatives and the impact of Japanese-owned homebuilders on the industry. He also talks of green shoots in a troubled property market.

Economy

Lessons from 100 years of growing US debt

As the US debt ceiling looms, the usual warnings about a potential crash in bond and equity markets have started to appear. Investors can take confidence from history but should keep an eye on two main indicators.

Investment strategies

Investors might be paying too much for familiarity

US mega-cap tech stocks have dominated recent returns - but is familiarity distorting judgement? Like the Monty Hall problem, investing success often comes from switching when it feels hardest to do so.

Latest from Morningstar

A winning investment strategy sitting right under your nose

How does a strategy built around systematically buying-and-holding a basket of the market's biggest losers perform? It turns out pretty well, so why don't more investors do it?

Sponsors

Alliances

© 2025 Morningstar, Inc. All rights reserved.

Disclaimer
The data, research and opinions provided here are for information purposes; are not an offer to buy or sell a security; and are not warranted to be correct, complete or accurate. Morningstar, its affiliates, and third-party content providers are not responsible for any investment decisions, damages or losses resulting from, or related to, the data and analyses or their use. To the extent any content is general advice, it has been prepared for clients of Morningstar Australasia Pty Ltd (ABN: 95 090 665 544, AFSL: 240892), without reference to your financial objectives, situation or needs. For more information refer to our Financial Services Guide. You should consider the advice in light of these matters and if applicable, the relevant Product Disclosure Statement before making any decision to invest. Past performance does not necessarily indicate a financial product’s future performance. To obtain advice tailored to your situation, contact a professional financial adviser. Articles are current as at date of publication.
This website contains information and opinions provided by third parties. Inclusion of this information does not necessarily represent Morningstar’s positions, strategies or opinions and should not be considered an endorsement by Morningstar.