The impact of superannuation fund choice legislation and the global financial crisis on Australian retail fund flows

Abstract

We examine the extent to which cash flows into the Australian superannuation funds are affected by the past performance of the fund, the riskiness of the fund, the choice of superannuation fund legislation, and the global financial crisis. Both retail and wholesale investors base their investment decisions on the past performance of the funds. There is little evidence that the riskiness of the fund returns has any significance effect on the flow of funds. Legislation has resulted in more inflows into managed funds. There is more inflow into managed funds and equity funds since the period of the global financial crisis.