Deanne Stewart

Aware Super welcomes the start of the Payday Super regime on Wednesday 1 July, one of the most meaningful improvements to Australia’s retirement savings system in a generation.

From Wednesday, employers are required to pay superannuation at the same time as salary and wages, with contributions required to reach an employee’s super fund within seven business days of each payday in most cases. The reform ends a long-standing arrangement under which super could be paid quarterly.

Aware Super CEO Deanne Stewart said: “This is a genuine win for Australian workers. Super is as important to people’s financial wellbeing as the wages in their pocket and should be treated that way. Payday Super fixes an outdated system and Australian workers will ultimately be better off for it.

“This change will help ensure workers receive the right amount of super and can track their payments more easily. It also means contributions will be invested sooner, building retirement savings faster.”

Ms Stewart said the reform would have an especially significant impact on women, many of whom have historically lost super through the gaps created by quarterly payment cycles. “Many of Aware Super’s members are women working in health care, education and community services — often in part-time or casual roles. Payday Super addresses a structural inequity that has cost these workers real money over their working lives. That matters enormously to us,” she said.

The fund has worked closely with employers in the lead-up to 1 July, providing guidance and practical support to help them understand and meet their obligations.

Ms Stewart said Aware Super would continue to support employers in the early stages of implementation. “We know that for many employers, especially those who are not large payroll operators, this is a significant change. We’ve been working closely with employer groups in the lead up to 1 July and we’ll continue to support them as the new system beds in. Our goal is to help make this transition as straightforward as possible.”

The fund’s readiness for Payday Super has been underpinned by its Catalyst Project, completed in 2023, which brought member administration in-house and digitised over 90 per cent of Aware Super’s processes — creating a modern, efficient administration platform purpose-built for a more dynamic contribution environment.

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CEO Deanne Stewart praised Mr Pendleton’s contribution to Aware.

“We give our heartfelt thanks to Ian for his unwavering dedication, member focus and the genuine care he has shown throughout his time at Aware Super,” Ms Stewart said.   

“Ian’s leadership has had a lasting impact on the professional organisation he helped build – one grounded in integrity, commitment and collaboration.“

Jane Couchman, who currently leads Risk, Compliance & Sustainability, will take the helm of a newly created division as Chief Risk Officer & Group Executive, Governance, bringing together the Risk, Compliance & Sustainability team with Mr Pendleton’s Legal & Company Secretariat.

”I congratulate Jane on her appointment to this crucial role. Joining our risk and legal divisions is designed to enhance operational alignment, further enable cohesive decision-making and positions us to continue to deliver effectively on our operational and strategic priorities,” Ms Stewart said.

”In an environment of evolving risks and opportunities, strong governance and prudent risk management are critical to fulfilling our obligations as the stewards of our 1.3 million members’ retirement savings.​”

This change has enabled a number of internal promotions including appointing Greg Gokavi-Whaley to the newly created Deputy Chief Risk Officer role. Belinda Dent steps into an expanded General Counsel role and Anthia Lepouris takes on an expanded Company Secretary role, reporting to Ms Couchman.

Mr Pendleton will formally conclude his Group Executive role on 29 June 2026, when the new structure takes effect. 

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Troy Smith

Aware Super is strengthening its support for financial advisers as part of its growth strategy, investing in new capability to help advisers deliver better retirement outcomes for their clients.

Financial advisers play an important role in Australia’s advice ecosystem, particularly for clients seeking tailored advice to navigate complex financial and retirement decisions. Aware Super has seen strong growth in the number of registered advisers using its services, alongside the establishment of new licensee partnerships.

Against this backdrop, the fund is continuing to expand its Advice Relationships capability with a focus on providing advisers with trusted, practical support, local relationship management and deep technical expertise.

As part of this focus, Aware Super has created a new role, Senior Manager, Technical Services, appointing Troy Smith.

The role sits within its Advice Relationships team and is responsible for developing and delivering technical education to licensees and advisers through professional development days, industry association events and webinars, as well as providing technical support to financial advisers working with the fund across complex client scenarios.

Mr Smith brings more than 15 years’ experience across technical and advice-facing teams at Insignia and ANZ/OnePath, including the role of National Manager, Technical Services at Insignia. Most recently, he worked at Zurich as Partnership Disputes Resolution Manager.

Aware Super General Manager Growth and Partnerships Natalie Jarvis said Mr Smith’s appointment would further strengthen the fund’s adviser proposition.

“As adviser engagement continues to grow, it’s critical we invest in deep technical capability that advisers can rely on,” she said.

“Troy brings extensive industry experience and a strong ability to translate complex technical issues into practical guidance, which will further enhance the support we provide to advisers and, ultimately, their clients.”

Mr Smith will report to Aware Super National Manager Advice Relationships Warwick Gribble.

Ms Jarvis said the appointment reflected the $235 billion Fund’s long‑term commitment to working constructively and collaboratively alongside the advice profession.

“We understand that advice is not one size fits all, and that many of our members value the personalised guidance that comes from working with a trusted financial adviser,” Ms Jarvis said.

“Our role is to support that advice ecosystem by equipping advisers with strong local relationships, high‑quality technical support and education, while ensuring members can access advice in the way that suits them best.”

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Steve Travis

Aware Super has received the rare Adviser-Ready Fund accreditation under the new national framework jointly developed by the Financial Advice Association Australia (FAAA) and Chant West.

This accreditation recognises the Fund’s investment in the systems and support which empower independent financial advisers to deliver better outcomes for their shared clients, who have almost doubled in number since June 2024.

Aware Super is one of only three profit-to-member funds to receive the accreditation, which assesses operational capability across 24 adviser-focused criteria developed with direct input from practising advisers.

Accreditation is awarded to funds meeting at least 16 criteria, covering: adviser access to client information; the ability to transact on behalf of clients; advice fee deduction processes; digital authorisations and dedicated adviser support.

Aware Super has led the industry in investing in a layered advice model that meets members at each stage of their financial life.

The Fund’s 1.2 million members can access:

• digital tools, calculators and education to support everyday decisions;
• personal advice when their circumstances become more complex; and
• retirement-focused advice and income solutions as they approach or enter retirement.

Where members work with an independent financial adviser, Aware Super’s adviser-ready systems and dedicated support are designed to make that relationship as productive as possible.

Significant enhancements to Aware Super’s Adviser Portal underpinned the Adviser-Ready accreditation, including:

• direct data feeds into Xplan
• online adviser registration and digital client authorities
• expanded transaction capability
• simplified advice fee deduction processes

With Aware Super also holding the Epic Retirement Institute’s Epic Retirement Tick, the double accreditation makes the Fund only one of two profit-to-member funds to hold both accreditations.

Aware Super Group Executive Member Growth Steve Travis said the recognition reflected the Fund’s ability to support members across the full advice journey, from early engagement through to retirement.

They also highlighted Aware Super’s tangible commitment to making it easier for advisers to do their best work.

“The Adviser Ready Fund accreditation recognises the practical investments we’ve made to support independent financial advisers – from improving digital access and transaction capability through to providing dedicated adviser support,” Mr Travis said.

“When combined with the Epic Retirement Tick, it reflects our focus on meeting members where they are in their advice journey, whether they’re looking for straightforward guidance or more comprehensive retirement advice, and supporting advisers to deliver that advice efficiently.”

Aware Super also provides advisers with access to a national Business Development Manager network and a specialist Adviser Engagement and Support team.

The Adviser-Ready Fund accreditation supports the shared objective of strengthening alignment between the superannuation and financial advice sectors, helping to improve access to professional advice and better retirement outcomes for Australians.

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Steve Travis

Estate planning services will be a key gateway for driving greater engagement from super fund members in their savings and retirement, says Aware Super, as it expands its online wills service after a successful pilot program.

Aware launched its estate planning pilot in January 2025, in partnership with industry experts SafeWill, and recently made the service available to all members, which includes a simple will at no additional cost to their Aware membership.

Group Executive Member Growth Steven Travis said early take-up of online wills had exceeded expectations.

“The need for a robust and accessible online estate planning solution is immense,” Mr Travis said.

“It’s estimated $5 trillion will be passed down to the following generations over the next two decades¹ and there’s widespread understanding of the importance of having a legal will, yet up to 60 per cent of Australians don’t have one.

“Enabling our members to start their estate planning journey online, in their own time and with no additional fees for a simple will, substantially lowers the barriers to getting started.”

Mr Travis said super funds were in a unique position to reach millions of Australians with a message about the importance of estate planning, drive will uptake, and leverage that to open a broader conversation around savings and retirement.

“We believe estate planning will be an important gateway to encouraging our members to engage with their broader financial plan, including for their super and retirement,” Mr Travis said.

Aware Super has carefully integrated estate planning into the member journey, encouraging members to take other positive financial steps, such as updating the nominated beneficiaries of their super death benefit, consolidating their super, reviewing their insurances or booking an appointment with a financial adviser.

“These behavioural `nudges’ can be effective at motivating members to take other positive financial steps,” Mr Travis said.

Founder and chief executive of Safewill Adam Lubofsky said estate planning was deeply connected to other important decisions people make about their lives and families. ”Integrating it into super helps make those decisions simpler and more connected to their long-term financial future,” he said.

All Aware Super members can create a simple, legal will at no additional cost, with the process typically taking about 20 minutes to complete.

Additional services are available for a small fee, including a customised will for members with more complex estates and the option to create a power of attorney.

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Steve Travis

Aware Super’s industry-first digital retirement planning and management platform has led to a big uplift in retirees choosing more than the minimum pension, demonstrating its ability to boost members’ confidence in their retirement planning.

Retirement Manager^TM, which launched this month to all eligible Aware Super members 60 and over, helps answer the two most important questions for those in retirement or about to retire: how much can I spend and how long will my money last?

Results of Retirement Manager’s ^TM pilot phase of more than 5,000 members showed a 78 per cent increase in the relative number of members choosing more than the minimum pension when using it to build their plan.

54 per cent of retiring members typically choose to draw down more than the minimum pension, but this surged to 96 per cent when using Retirement Manager ^TM.

Group Executive Member Growth Steven Travis said the results from the pilot were powerful evidence that Retirement Manager ^TM was breaking down the barriers to effective retirement planning.

“This is a major breakthrough in retirement planning,” Mr Travis said. 

“Retirement Manager ^TM is giving members the control and confidence to draw a greater income and enjoy their retirement to the fullest.

“When members can build a plan in their own time, optimise it for different scenarios and get immediate feedback on the strength of their plan, it gives them greater confidence to draw down on their savings.”

Retirement Manager ^TM makes it easy to set up and implement a plan online, including choosing an investment option, modelling different income and spending decisions, and setting up an income stream. It can even estimate government Age Pension eligibility.

Retirement Manager ^TM gives users an Income Confidence Score that shows them how likely their plan will support their desired income and helps them adjust their plan to boost their score.

Also important is the integration of human help into the Retirement Manager ^TM experience, with users able to book an appointment with an adviser within the platform to discuss and further refine their plan if they need to.

Mr Travis noted that while Aware Super research found 9 out of 10 Australians were worried about running out of money in retirement, members were leaving up to 25% of their super unspent.

“Retirement Manager ^TM is not just for implementing a retirement plan, it’s like your always-on adviser throughout your retirement, helping you maximise your income and giving you peace of mind that you’re on the right track,” Mr Travis said.

“We believe it will help our members manage their money more effectively throughout their retirement.”

Retirement Manager ^TM builds on the success of My Retirement Planner ^TM, which has helped more than 165,000 Aware Super members in the accumulation phase model their retirement goals and devise an appropriate savings plan.

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Mr Warner, who joined Aware Super in 2023 as Head of Portfolio Management, will lead the Fund’s 160-person award-winning investment team that manages its members $205 billion superannuation savings across equities, fixed income, infrastructure, property and private equity.

Aware Super Chief Executive Officer Deanne Stewart said Mr Warner’s appointment ensured continuity of the Fund’s investment strategy and strong governance frameworks.

“Simon has demonstrated exceptional leadership during his two years at Aware Super, contributing to our track record of delivering outstanding returns for members,” Ms Stewart said.

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Richard Exton

Aware Super has appointed Richard Exton as Group Executive, Chief Technology and Data Officer, effective 1 November 2025, reporting directly to its Chief Executive Officer, Deanne Stewart.

“Aware is focused on maintaining our strong reputation as an industry leader in digital by continuing to enhance our personalised member experience, and remaining vigilant about our cybersecurity protections,” Aware Super Chief Executive Officer Deanne Stewart said today.

The appointment elevates technology, data and AI leadership to the executive team, recognising its critical role in delivering better outcomes for the Fund’s 1.2 million members and supporting Aware Super’s strategic priorities to 2030.

During his eight years with Aware Super, Mr Exton has been instrumental to major transformations, including the 2023 insourcing of the Fund’s administration with significant digital capability uplift, and its platform modernisation that reduced technology infrastructure by a third alongside enhancing member self-service.

Ms Stewart says the 200-strong Technology team will “continue to embed AI and digital innovation across the business to deliver even more personalised and secure digital experiences for Aware Super members, with an unwavering focus on retirement outcomes.”

“Richard’s leadership will continue to be instrumental as we accelerate our digital capabilities and ensure technology remains a key enabler of member outcomes and competitive advantage for Aware Super,” Ms Stewart added.

“This appointment demonstrates how integral AI, data and technology is in supporting our strategic priorities to 2030.”

Under his leadership, female representation has grown to 35% of the Aware Super’s Technology workforce. Mr Exton achieved #4 nationally and #1 in financial services in Australia’s CIO50 Awards, with his team recognised as Australia’s Best Technology Team for Culture (2024).

Mr Exton brings three decades of experience delivering transformational outcomes across global financial services, including senior technology roles at Macquarie Group, ANZ Bank, and Commonwealth Bank of Australia across APAC markets.

Mr Exton holds a Masters in Financial Technology from UNSW and a Graduate Certificate of Commercial Law from Deakin University and has completed executive education at Harvard Business School and the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD).

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Steve Travis

Aware Super has launched a sophisticated new digital advice solution that offers members control and confidence over their retirement planning.

Retirement Manager^TM, designed in conjunction with leading tech provider Bravura Solutions, helps answer the two most important questions for those in retirement or about to retire: how much can I spend and how long will my money last?

Retirement Manager helps retirees set up an income stream, choose an investment option and model different income and spending scenarios. It gives users an “Income confidence score” so they can see how their plan measures up to their goals.

The tool is smart enough to estimate Age Pension eligibility, include a spouse’s financial details and model how major decisions such as taking an overseas holiday or helping out children with a home deposit will impact retirement plans.

Aware Super members can book an advice appointment at no extra cost from within the tool to fine-tune their plan and discuss their options with an Aware Super retirement specialist.

Group Executive Member Growth Steve Travis said Retirement Manager was an industry first in retirement planning and digital advice.

“Retirement Manager takes the stress out of retirement planning, giving members the power and the flexibility to create a personalised plan that can be easily adjusted as their needs and circumstances change,” Mr Travis said.

“With many people heading into retirement without any plan at all, Retirement Manager dramatically lowers the degree of difficulty involved in getting started and, importantly, is integrated with human help for that additional level of personalised support.”

My Retirement Planner for members aged 60 and under

Retirement Manager builds on the success of My Retirement Planner, which has helped more than 130,000 Aware Super members in the accumulation phase model their retirement goals and devise an appropriate savings plan.

“These digital advice solutions reinforce Aware Super’s position as an industry leader in innovation and the use of technology to enhance member experience and retirement outcomes through scalable solutions,” Mr Travis said.

Retirement Manager is currently in pilot with a small group of members and is expected to open to all eligible members aged 60+ later this year.

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Steve Travis

Aware Super has launched a host of new digital features and enhancements to help financial advisers and their clients, including direct data feeds to Xplan and online authorisation of transactions.

The new functionality makes it easier and quicker for advisers to manage administration through Aware Super’s Adviser Portal, giving them more time to focus on helping their clients.

Group Executive Member Growth Steve Travis said Aware was excited to deliver these key enhancements to the Aware Super Adviser Portal, noting there had been a 24% increase in advisers registered with Aware Super over the past 12 months.

“This upgrade and enhancement of a key platform used by financial advisers demonstrates our commitment to offering a great digital experience across all our touchpoints and acknowledges the important role advisers play in helping Australians reach their retirement goals,” Mr Travis said.

“Aware Super understands that advisers deliver the greatest value when they’re engaging with their clients, rather than dealing with paperwork and administrative tasks, so we’re striving to make administration as simple, quick and easy as possible.”

The new features include:

• Data Feeds to Xplan: Advisers can now receive a direct data feed from Aware Super into their Xplan financial planning platform, making it easier to view and track client accounts
• Member In-App Approval: Clients can authorise transactions initiated by their adviser through the Aware Super app, providing convenience and flexibility
• Online Adviser Nomination: Registered advisers can initiate nomination requests via the Adviser Portal, which clients can approve online, eliminating the need for paperwork
• Online Adviser Registration: Advisers can now register online with Aware Super, making the registration process quicker and more straightforward.

The upgrade also enhances the Adviser Portal’s existing feature set including client dashboard access, investment option switching, management of client contributions and tracking of action requests, withdrawal benefit quotes, non-lapsing binding beneficiary nominations and viewing client Centrelink payment schedules.

“We’re continually updating and enhancing the Adviser Portal as we engage with advisers and welcome feedback on ways we can help them increase efficiency and productivity,” Mr Travis said.

“Registered advisers also benefit from support from our national team of Business Development Managers in relation to our products and services, as well as assistance from our dedicated Adviser Engagement and Support Team.”

The Adviser Portal is built on Aware Super’s industry leading digital platform, which has digitised around 95% of transactions and achieved straight-through processing for more than 80% of tasks.

Aware Super was the winner of this year’s Best Fund: Advice Services award from Chant West.

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