Reflections from Terry McCredden

As the end of 2011 fast approaches, I’d like to take the time to reflect on the steady progress I believe UniSuper has made with our ongoing commitment to help members achieve greater retirement outcomes.

Improving member experience online

During the year, improving member service has remained a huge focus for UniSuper. One of the main areas we sought to enhance member experience was in the online space. This has included the launch of:

• MAZ – a tool to enable you to make an online application for optional insurance cover and receive acceptance on the spot (if eligible). This tool is available on MemberOnline and I encourage you to test it out;
• Super Informed eNews – this regular eNewsletter aimed at providing you with valuable, relevant and interesting information about superannuation and broader financial issues; and
• an exciting new investments and performance section within our public website .

Increasing face-to-face contact with members

Seminars have continued to be one of the most important ways that we engage with and educate our member base. During the past year, around 15,000 members have attended our free seminars. In an effort to further improve this service, we have trialled evening seminars during 2011 in response to your feedback that day-time seminars are not always convenient.

We’ve been delighted at the success of this trial and with the feedback we’ve received, and will continue to offer more evening seminars on an ongoing basis throughout Australia. We will also be offering online webinars to our regionally located members. Please check our website regularly for notification of seminars that interest you.

Growing our in-house investment capabilities

We are committed to offering competitive and relevant choice for our members, while at the same time keeping costs as low as possible. During 2011, we’ve continued to grow our in-house investment management capabilities and now manage over $8.5 billion internally. We are one of only a few industry funds that possess in-house investment management capabilities and we believe this allows us to keep better control over our investments and to provide greater alignment with members’ interests.

Specifically, we have had feedback from some members who are increasingly looking to take a more active approach to their UniSuper investments. We’re working hard to be in a position to offer you more functionality and control in this area.

In the first half of 2012 we will be launching three new investment options. While I don’t want to give too much away at this stage, we have paid attention to calls from members to provide further opportunity to invest in alternative energy and efficiency, and natural resources.

Thank you for your continued support of UniSuper

We hope you enjoy reading this edition of Super Informed eNews. As always, if you have any thoughts about what you would like covered in future issues or ideas about how we can improve your experience with UniSuper, I encourage you to email me directly at ceo@unisuper.com.au

I would also personally like to thank you for your ongoing support of UniSuper, and I look forward to bringing you new and exciting ways to manage your retirement savings during 2012.

All the best for the festive season and I wish you a safe and happy new year.

Terry McCredden
Chief Executive Officer