Future-proof super funds through modern data platforms

Australia's superannuation sector is at a critical juncture. As one of the largest retirement savings systems in the world, the sector managed nearly $4.3 trillion in assets by mid-2025 — representing 145% of Australia's GDP — with projections to exceed $8 trillion by 2035. This growth reflects decades of compulsory contributions and a robust investment environment, but it also brings significant responsibility.

As funds grow, they face rising complexity: more members, more products, more data and heightened scrutiny from regulators and the public. They must balance cost efficiency with the need to deliver better retirement outcomes and superior member experiences. This is the first article in a three-part series examining how data infrastructure is shaping the sector's response to these challenges.

At the heart of this challenge lies data

Every aspect of a fund's operations — from investment decisions and regulatory reporting to fraud detection and member engagement — depends on accurate, accessible and secure data. Yet many funds are hampered by legacy systems and siloed processes that were never designed for today's demands, let alone the massive operational scale expected in the next decade.

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