In early 2025, Qantas Super officially merged into Australian Retirement Trust (ART). This move impacts thousands of members, especially those in defined benefit schemes or corporate investment options.
Key changes for members
There are a few ways in which a merger can affect members:
- Fee Structure: You may move to a new fee model. While some members benefit from lower fees after a merger, others may find the structure less favourable.
- Defined Benefits: If you’re in a defined benefit scheme, your core entitlements are typically preserved under superannuation law. However, administration and service arrangements may change.
- Investment Options: Members are usually moved to a new default investment option (like a MySuper product) unless they make an active choice. This can result in changes to how your super is invested.
What might members be losing in a super fund merger?
Members may benefit from a merger given that their new fund will now have greater scale. Size can help super funds to reduce fees for members, although this isn’t always the case.
Mergers may have less desirable impacts on members such as:
- Reduction in tailored investment options: Some employer or niche fund menus may be removed in favour of standard MySuper options.
- Changes to insurance: Corporate-negotiated insurance terms may change or be standardised, which can affect premiums or coverage levels.
- Loss of employer-specific features: Members of corporate funds (like Qantas Super) may lose access to certain fund-branded services or features after the merger.
Is ART the right super fund for you?
ART is one of Australia’s largest super funds, ART invests globally in a mix of products and asset classes, depending on the investment option selected by members. If you prefer a more transparent, ETF-based approach with individual portfolio visibility, you might consider alternatives like Stockspot Super.
How does Stockspot Super compare to ART and could it be a better fit?
Stockspot Super is a superannuation product built exclusively with ETFs. Joining a super fund that invests exclusively in ETFs allows members to enjoy the diversification, transparency and tax efficiency of owning a personalised portfolio of ETFs within your super, without the complexity of creating an SMSF.
The Stockspot Super product offers:
- Transparent ETF portfolios
- Low fees
- Automated rebalancing
- No hidden commissions
- Individual-level tax calculation for all holdings
Don’t wait until your super changes without your input. Compare your Qantas Super (now ART) account with Stockspot to see if we can help you grow your retirement savings.
