At BT, we believe the greatest wealth is to live well. And to truly live well, our members need support across all aspects of their life. In 2021, we constantly looked for ways to increase the support provided to our members through access to easy-to-understand information, effective education, and enhanced experiences.
We’re pleased to present you with our reflections of 2021.
In the markets
- Three major vaccines continue to rollout across North America, Europe and Asia.
- The second impeachment of the former US President Donald Trump.
- US President Joe Biden is inaugurated.
- The Reddit community is on the rise.
For our customers
- We help our members start the new year and see how much super they should have at their age.
- We equip our members with the information if life throws its curveballs, including:
In the markets
- A year on from the first locally acquired case of COVID-19 outside of China.
- Economic data indicates economies around the world are on the road to recovery.
- The USA saw extreme weather events with states such as Texas seeing snow for the very first time, resulting in a jump in oil prices.
For our customers
- To help combat the underlying sentiment that super is a bit too hard, we released six strategies to help members ensure their super is set up successfully.
- Members are invited to learn how to grow their super balance through the power of compounding.
- We visit the gender pay gap and help our members learn about some strategies in Ladies, mind the gap – how the gender gap could affect your future and wealth building for women.
- On 25 February 2021, we host our inaugural Annual Members’ Meeting for BT Retirement Wrap and Asgard Independence Plan – Division 2.
In the markets
- Ever Given, one of the largest shipping containers in the world runs aground in the Suez Canal disrupting global trade.
- Share markets reach record levels as investor sentiment remain positive against the backdrop of global vaccine rollouts.
For our customers
- To align with International Women’s Day on 8 March 2021, members are invited to a webinar on Women living life well.
- We help our employers with their business super obligations including the ins and outs of Superannuation Guarantee (SG).
- Our members learn the top things to know about SG contributions.
- We give considerations on what to do when taking a career break.
- BT Investment Solutions give us a 2021 sustainable investment outlook and we show members how we approach sustainability.
- Aligning with the bounce back in the employment market we talk about the “V” shaped recovery.
In the markets
- The EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement is ratified, governing the relationship between the EU and UK after Brexit.
- Less than 4% of the world’s 8 billion eligible people have been fully vaccinated and Australia lags the pack.
- The Reserve Bank of Australia confirms that the cash rate will remain at 0.01% “for as long as possible.”
For our customers
- Members are invited to use the Super and Retirement Calculator to see how they’re tracking.
- We show members the different ways the BT Super MySuper Lifestage investment option is invested depending on age.
- Employers learn about the changes in the super space in 2021 and what they mean in our April webinar.
In the markets
- The outbreak of the Delta variant of COVID-19 throughout India sent shockwaves around the world.
- The third budget from The Hon Josh Frydenberg MP, Treasurer is passed down.
For our customers
- We give members an overview of the proposed changes announced in the 11 May 2021 Federal Budget.
- We explain how tax and super have a unique relationship in Tax on Super – Part One.
- Members also learn about types of super contributions.
- Employers learn how to set up salary sacrifice for their employees and how to claim tax deductions on contributions.
In the markets
- The G7 reached a landmark deal to impose a minimum corporate tax rate of at least 15% on foreign earnings.
- The outbreak of COVID-19 continues in Melbourne and by the end of the month, Sydney feels the social impacts of the Delta variant.
- The COVID-19 disaster relief payment is made available to eligible persons in the NSW lockdown.
- Consumer sentiment in Australia declined by 5.2%.
For our customers
- Employers are given tips to prepare their business for upcoming changes to superannuation.
- We explain how the underlying design of super products can help investment performance.
- We explain Bear and Bull markets to members.
- Members learn about tax on superannuation – part two: end of financial year contributions.
- We provide members with an EOFY checklist.
- BT Super members can find and combine super with SuperCheck.
- BT is awarded numerous accolades^ including:
- Best Commercial Product – Personal, Super Review Super Fund of the Year Awards, 2019, 2020, 2021 – BT Super – Panorama (2020, 2021) BT Super for Life (2019)1.
- 2021 Quality Star rating (5 star – top tier) – BT Super (Business), BT Super for Life 2021, Heron.
- 2021 Top 10 Insurance features – BT Super, BT Super for Life, 2021, Heron.
- Infinity Award for ESG sustainable investing, BT, 2020, 2021 – SuperRatings.
- AAA+ Quality Rating, BT Super, BT Super for Life, BT Super for Life Retirement, 2021, Rainmaker.
In the markets
- The Australian residential property boom continues to gain pace.
- Tokyo 2020 Olympics (rescheduled to 2021) commences despite a total spectator ban.
- Brisbane celebrates being named the 2032 Summer Olympic host.
- Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane sees anti-lockdown protests break out.
For our customers
- Employers are given information on what to look for when comparing MySuper funds.
- We help employers with information on how to stay open for business during lockdowns.
- The Superannuation Guarantee (SG) increased to 10% from 1 July 2021, and employers are given a reminder about their SG obligations.
- Members are receiving some of the highest returns in years, and are encouraged to read about how market recovery is a positive for super members.
- We prepare members for their upcoming annual super statement.
- We help members understand the government changes to the rules on super.
- We show members the functionalities of navigating their super online.
- Members learn about BT’s Priority Care team.
- We remind our members about the small change big savings calculator.
In the markets
- The United States withdraws its last remaining troops from Kabul ending 20 years of operations in Afghanistan.
- 60% of the Australian population is under stay-at-home orders amid record numbers of daily COVID-19 cases.
- COVID-19 pandemic creates run off effects in global trade and supply chain disruptions.
For our customers
- Employers are given tips on how to manage cash flow.
- Employers are sent information about ‘Stapling’.
- Our members learn about their personal net rate of return (PRR) and watch a video explaining the PRR.
- We explain dollar cost averaging and its benefits in a market downturn.
- Members and Employers are invited to read Is BT a good super fund and are reminded about our suite of tools and calculators.
- Members hear from our Chief Investment Officer, Corrin Collocott, and our former Managing Director of Superannuation for BT, Melinda Howes in our FY21 investment markets and super performance webinar.
In the markets
- Australia’s vaccine rollout ramps up. And plans to roll back restrictions and re-open the economy take shape.
- Australia signs a defence deal with the US and UK for building US designed nuclear-powered submarines.
For our customers
- We launch our investment check-in experience to help our members understand their options and we explain the Annual Performance Assessment.
- We give our members information to familiarise themselves with the important features of their own super fund, and tips on what to consider when deciding what type of fund may suit them.
In the markets
- Energy woes dominate the global economy as Nations prepare for the UN’s Climate Change Conference (COP26).
- In Australia, states begin to reopen, and plans are announced to reopen international borders.
- Australia’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout rate surpasses Israel, the previous poster child for rollout success.
- The Australian property market ‘dwelling price index’ rises 21.6% over the 12 months – which is a level last seen 32 years ago
- ‘The Great Resignation.’ Almost 40% of US workers plan to change jobs in the next 12 months, and Australia might be next.
- Focus on China – investors look for further indications of property instability after September’s Evergrande ‘almost-crisis.’
For our customers
- We show members the recent solid performance of our Lifestage investment option, and explain Lifestage investing.
- Members learn how we make investment decisions for their super.
- We show our members the ‘Lifestage’, ‘Simple’, and ‘Full’ investment menus available to them, and encourage them to familiarise themselves with the different investment strategies available.
- Members read about the regional pressures with global repercussions.
- We migrate around 57,000 Asgard Employee MySuper members to the equivalent BT Super MySuper product.
In the markets
- At COP26 Australia commits to cut emissions to 26-28% below 2005 levels by 2030, and a target to reach net zero emissions by 2050.
- Inflation continues to be a hot topic amid stagnant wage growth.
- Central Banks reaffirm interest rates won’t increase before 2023.
For our customers
- Our monthly feature articles teaches our members how to choose their own super investments in 4 steps.
- Members are encouraged to learn about scams and how to avoid them:
- Our Corporate Advisers and Employers are reminded of the handy tools available to help their business including:
- We give some resources about the Future of work including:
- What does workplace culture look like
In the markets (as at 16 Dec)
- Jerome Powell confirmed as Chair of the Federal Reserve of the United States for a second term by the Biden Administration.
- Equity markets begin to show further signs of nerve over the Omicron variant and inflation fears.
For our customers
- We connect around 78,000 members to BT Panorama – our award-winning online platform#.
- BT is named as one of 13 leading responsible investment super funds by the Responsible Investment Association of Australasia in its 2021 Responsible Investment Super Study*.
- Members, Advisers and Employers are invited to attend our Annual Members’ Meeting held online for our two funds on Tuesday 1 March 2022 at
- 5:30pm – 7:30pm for BT Retirement Wrap (BT) and
- 12:00pm – 2:00pm for Asgard Independence Plan – Division 2 (Asgard) .
# Investment Trends Platforms Competitive Analysis and Benchmarking Report, December 2020. See our media release dated 23 February 2021.
^ Awards are opinions only, are not recommendations and are only one factor to be taken into account when deciding to acquire, dispose or hold a financial product. Awards and ratings are current at the time of publication but are subject to change.
* https://responsibleinvestment.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Media-Release_Super-Study-2021_2.pdf
1 2021 FE Money Management. All rights reserved. The information, data, analysis, and opinions contained herein (1) include the proprietary information of FE Money Management (2) may not be copied or redistributed (3) do not constitute investment advice offered by FE Money Management (4) are provided solely for informational purposes and therefore are not an offer to buy or sell a security (5) are not warranted to be correct, complete, or accurate. FE Money Management shall not be responsible for any trading decisions, damages, or other losses resulting from, or related to, this information, data, analyses, or opinions or their use. FE Money Management does not guarantee that a fund/product will perform in line with its Super Fund of the Year award as it reflects past performance only. Likewise, the Super Fund of the Year award should not be any sort of guarantee or assessment of the creditworthiness of a product/fund or of its underlying securities and should not be used as the sole basis for making any investment decision.
Important information
The information Is current as at 16 December 2021. It has been prepared by BT Funds Management Limited ABN 63 002 916 458 (BTFM) the trustee of BT Super for Life, BT Super for Life Westpac Group Plan and BT Super part of the superannuation fund Retirement Wrap ABN 39 827 542 991.
The information is prepared by BT Funds Management Limited ABN 63 002 916 458 (BTFM) the trustee of BT Super for Life, BT Super for Life Westpac Group Plan and BT Super part of the superannuation fund Retirement Wrap ABN 39 827 542 991.
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