![Superfund business models may need to change as retirees own a greater proportion of assets, Rainmaker Information data analysis finds. Shutterstock picture. Superfund business models may need to change as retirees own a greater proportion of assets, Rainmaker Information data analysis finds. Shutterstock picture.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/172374647/0da6c904-952f-434a-b8bb-5a62bf3e48e4.jpg/r0_0_5760_3840_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Retirees are expected to own more than half of all superannuation assets within a decade, according to research from Rainmaker Information.
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As of 2022, super fund members aged 65 or older already own 40 per cent of Australia's $3.3 trillion in superannuation assets.
Currently retirees own about 26 per cent of the money held with Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA)-regulated funds, being not-for-profit and retail funds, while two-thirds of self-managed super fund assets are already owned by retirees.
Rainmaker Information's projections suggest that this ratio will climb to 55 per cent by 2032 and potentially exceed 70 per cent by 2042.
![Data source: APRA, analysis by Rainmaker Information Data source: APRA, analysis by Rainmaker Information](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/172374647/f07f409f-2355-4185-a908-cc21c7ba1754.png/r0_0_3034_2669_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Rainmaker Information executive director of research and compliance Alex Dunnin said the estimates have far-reaching implications for the superannuation landscape and investment strategies.
"Understanding the shifting dynamics and increased ownership by retirees is crucial for devising effective investment strategies and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the superannuation system."
"Some funds already have half of their assets owned by retirees. Furthermore, the retiree funds under management (FUM) ratio for APRA-regulated funds has increased by over one-third since 2015.
Retirees currently own about $625 billion in assets within APRA-regulated funds, while their ownership across all super funds amounts to $1.3 trillion.
If superannuation savings nearly double to $7 trillion over the next decade, APRA-regulated funds could hold $1.8 trillion in retiree assets alone - triple the current amount.
The total superannuation assets owned by retirees across all funds could reach $4 trillion.
"Not-for-profit (NFP) super funds, which have been increasingly dominant, are expected to extend their influence into retirement superannuation as well," said Dunnin.
"This shift could significantly impact the retail superannuation segment, which has historically controlled a substantial share of this lucrative market."
The analysis also shows fund consolidation is shaping the landscape, with the 10 largest super funds currently controlling half of all retirement assets in APRA-regulated funds.
![Largest superannuation funds by FUM and their retiree share. Data source: APRA, analysis and projections by Rainmaker Information Largest superannuation funds by FUM and their retiree share. Data source: APRA, analysis and projections by Rainmaker Information](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/172374647/4d7b40ab-5103-4e9d-9522-207d289870e5.png/r0_0_795_395_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Visit Rainmaker Information for more data here.