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Summary of 
Hostplus' Retirement Income Strategy

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While superannuation has been an essential part of Australia’s retirement income system, especially for the past 30 years after the introduction of the Superannuation Guarantee for the majority of workers, the focus over this time has largely been on accumulation and growth (pre-retirement).

However, with the maturity of the superannuation system and the increasing role superannuation now plays in the makeup of Australians’ retirement incomes, the Federal Government recently introduced a Retirement Income Covenant (RIC), which came into force on 1 July 2022. The RIC requires super funds to develop a Retirement Income Strategy (RIS) with a view to improving the retirement outcomes for their members.

Hostplus has developed its RIS, which outlines how the fund intends to assist members who are retired, or approaching retirement, achieve and balance key retirement income objectives:

Key risks to the sustainability and stability of expected retirement income.

Longevity risks

The risk that you may outlive your retirement savings.

Icon depicting investment risk

Investment risks

The risk of variable or negative investment returns and that the order and timing of your investment returns are unfavourable, resulting in less money for your retirement.

Inflation risks

The risk that cost-of-living increases outpace the performance of your retirement savings, reducing your purchasing power and standard of living over time.

Hostplus' Retirement
Income Strategy

Each Hostplus member is likely to have their own distinctive retirement goals and preferences, including how they intend to achieve their retirement income objectives and outcomes. Hostplus’ RIS aims to leverage and utilise its products, member education and support tools, and financial planning and advice solutions to assist members in planning for and optimising their retirement outcomes.

Our strategy is based around a holistic, three-pillar approach, which integrates with the Age Pension and other sources of retirement income to help members in seeking to maximise their retirement income, manage risks, and provide flexible access to their retirement savings.

To learn more about each of these three pillars, please view the animation and solutions below:

If you’re retired

Hostplus Pension account

The Hostplus Pension account is our core retirement income product with the following features:

  • Regular pension payments – decide how much and how often you want to receive a regular income. Payments can be used to supplement a full or partial Age Pension or to self-fund your retirement.
  • Flexible withdrawals – take out extra money when required to meet unexpected costs or large expenses.
  • Comprehensive choice of investments – tailor your investment approach through a wide variety of investment options.
  • Choiceplus investment option – actively manage your retirement investment strategy through this investment option which offers greater flexibility and choice. 
  • CPIplus investment option – give yourself greater certainty in retirement through this investment option which aims to deliver steady and reliable returns above the level of inflation (rises in the cost of living as measured by the Consumer Price Index, or CPI).

If you’re approaching retirement

Hostplus super account

With flexible investment and insurance options and a low administration fee 5, a Hostplus super account can help you grow your retirement savings if you’ve still got some work ahead of you.

Hostplus Transition to Retirement account

If you’re not ready to fully retire and you’ve reached your preservation age (the age at which you can access your super), our Transition to Retirement (TTR) account can help. It gives you restricted access to your super via regular pension payments. By putting your savings into a TTR account and drawing an income, you can:

  • supplement your income if you reduce your work hours.
  • boost your super and save on tax while you keep working full time.

To help our members who are approaching retirement or who have already retired, we provide a range of member education and support services. Below is an overview of the current services offered:

Retirement projection calculator

Use our calculator to estimate your income in retirement1 and how long your super could last. It can also help you understand how factors like super contributions and investment choice can impact your future. The calculator is simple to use – there’s even a short instruction video to help you get the most out of it.

Retirement income statement projections

Get an estimate of your future retirement income with your annual member statement. See where you stand and take steps to boost your retirement income.2

Login to member online to view your statement.

Hostplus website

A great place to start learning about your retirement options and the services we offer.

Hostplus mobile app

Manage your super easily and conveniently. Check your account balance and transaction history, see how your super’s growing, update your details, and more.

Webinars

Our specialist financial planners can help you learn more about retirement planning, maximising your Centrelink entitlements, and more. You can register for our live webinars or watch a recorded version at a time that suits. 

Retirement symposiums and forums

Join our specially crafted in person events tailored for retirees and those planning for retirement. Expert guest speakers will delve into various topics concerning both pre and post-retirement life. Can't attend in person? No worries! We'll ensure you can still catch all the action by live streaming the events for your convenience.

Ongoing communications

We’ll keep you updated on the tools and services we offer, so you can get the most out of your retirement.

How do you decide what investment options or retirement strategies might be right for you? Planning for your retirement can be daunting, but you don’t have to do it alone. We’re here to help take the stress out of the unknown. Our experienced and licensed financial planners can give you the confidence, guidance, and clarity you need to set up, and meet, your retirement objectives.

We offer the following options to ensure you get the right level of advice to suit you:

Online DIY personal advice

Our SuperAdviser tool can be accessed by logging in to Member Online. It’s easy to use and provides simple personal advice that can be implemented directly through your online account.

Phone-based advice about your Hostplus account

Our licensed superannuation advisers can provide advice on your super with Hostplus; including advice on selecting the right investment option for your super or pension account, contributions to boost your super, and choosing the right insurance options. Best of all, this type of advice is available at no extra cost to you. For a fee, they can also help with consolidating your super, insurance outside your Hostplus super account, or to see how you can use the First Home Super Saver Scheme (FHSSS). 

Specialist retirement planning advice

Our professional financial planners are dedicated to helping you achieve your retirement goals, including making sure you have enough for retirement, and that you're making the most of your super. This service is offered in person or via video link and covers all aspects of your financial journey.

The role of the Age Pension

The Age Pension is intended to provide income support to older Australians who need it, while encouraging pensioners to maximise their overall incomes.

Although not everyone will be eligible to receive the Age Pension (as there are age, residency, and assets and income test requirements), most Australians will receive either a partial or full pension at some stage of their life.3 As such, the retirement income strategy is designed to work alongside your Age Pension scheme.

To understand how age, residency, and assets and income test requirements apply to you, visit Centrelink (Services Australia).

The table below illustrates how a combination of a Hostplus Pension account and the Age Pension can help members maximise their retirement income, manage risks, and provide flexible access to their retirement savings.

Retirement income option
Maximising income
Managing retirement risks
Flexibility
LongevityInvestmentInflation
Hostplus PensionChoice of drawdown strategy

Ability to manage longevity via a considered investment and drawdown strategy.

Wide range of investment options including Choiceplus and CPIplus
  • Ability to index pension payments in line with CPI or fixed rate
  • Inflation protection via CPIplus
High flexibility
Age PensionN/APaid to end of lifeGiven the asset test, payments may increase when other assets fall in valueIndexedNo flexibility

How Hostplus' Retirement Income Strategy can help you

Our strategy has been designed to provide tailored guidance and support to members approaching, entering, or in retirement.

Click on the heading below that best describes your situation to find out how the three pillars of our strategy could help you.

You're approaching retirement

Product solutions

Hostplus super account

With flexible investment and insurance options and a low administration fee 5, a Hostplus super account can help you grow your retirement savings if you’ve still got some work ahead of you.

Hostplus Transition to Retirement account

If you’re not quite ready to fully retire and you’re over the preservation age (the age at which you can access your super), our Transition to Retirement (TTR) account can help. It gives you restricted access to your super via regular pension payments. By putting your savings into a TTR account and drawing an income, you can:

  • supplement your income if you reduce your work hours.
  • boost your super and save on tax while you keep working full time.

Member education and support

Retirement projection calculator

Use our calculator to estimate your income in retirement1 and how long your super could last. It can also help you understand how factors like super contributions and investment choice can impact your future. The calculator is simple to use – there’s even a short instruction video to help you get the most out of it.

Retirement income statement projections

Get an estimate of your future retirement income with your annual member statement. See where you stand and take steps to boost your retirement income.2

Login to member online to view your statement.

Hostplus mobile app

Manage your super easily and conveniently. Check your account balance and transaction history, see how your super’s growing, update your details, and more.

Webinars

Our specialist financial planners can help you learn more about retirement planning, boosting your super, and more. You can register for our live webinars or watch a recorded version at a time that suits. 

Retirement symposiums

Join our specially crafted in person events tailored for those planning for retirement. Expert guest speakers will delve into various topics concerning both pre and post-retirement life. Can't attend in person? No worries! We'll ensure you can still catch all the action by live streaming the events for your convenience.

Financial planning and advice

While you’re still in the workforce, there’s no better time to start planning your future. We offer the following options to ensure you get the right level of advice to suit you:

Online DIY personal advice

Our SuperAdviser tool can be accessed by logging in to Member Online. It’s easy to use and provides simple personal advice that can be implemented directly through your online account.

Phone-based advice about your Hostplus account

Our licensed superannuation advisers can provide advice on your super with Hostplus; including advice on selecting the right investment option for your super or pension account, contributions to boost your super, and choosing the right insurance options. Best of all, this type of advice is available at no extra cost to you. For a fee, they can also help with consolidating your super, insurance outside your Hostplus super account, or to see how you can use the First Home Super Saver Scheme (FHSSS). 

Specialist retirement planning advice

Our professional financial planners are dedicated to helping you achieve your retirement goals, including making sure you have enough for retirement, and that you're making the most of your super. This service is offered in person or via video link and covers all aspects of your financial journey.

You're retired

You’re in this group if you need to self-fund your retirement until you reach the eligibility age for the Age Pension.

Product solutions

 A Hostplus Pension account can help you maximise your retirement income, manage risk, and give you flexible access to your savings.

Your retirement income solution
How you can maximise your income
How this can manage retirement risks
Flexibility
LongevityInvestmentInflation
Hostplus PensionChoice of pension payment strategy

No inbuilt protection from Age Pension until it commences (if eligible). 

Ability to manage longevity via a considered investment and drawdown strategy.

Wide range of investment options including Choiceplus and CPIplus
  • Ability to index pension payments in line with CPI or fixed rate
  • Inflation protection via CPIplus
High flexibility - choice of pension payments and ability to make withdrawals

Member education and support

Retirement projection calculator

Use our calculator to estimate your income in retirement1 and how long your super could last. It can also help you understand how factors like super contributions and investment choice can impact your future. The calculator is simple to use – there’s even a short instruction video to help you get the most out of it.

Webinars

Our specialist financial planners can help you learn more about retirement planning, maximising your Centrelink entitlements, and more. You can register for our live webinars or watch a recorded version at a time that suits. 

Hostplus mobile app

Manage your super easily and conveniently. Check your account balance and transaction history, see how your super’s growing, update your details, and more.

Retirement forums

Join our specially crafted in person events tailored for retirees. Expert guest speakers will delve into various topics concerning post-retirement life. Can't attend in person? No worries! We'll ensure you can still catch all the action by live streaming the events for your convenience.

Financial planning and advice

Phone-based advice about your Hostplus account

Our licensed superannuation advisers can provide advice on your super with Hostplus, including advice on selecting the right investment option for your super or pension account. Best of all, this type of advice is available at no extra cost to you4.  

Specialist retirement planning advice

Our professional financial planners are dedicated to helping you achieve your retirement goals, including making sure you have enough for retirement, and that you're making the most of your super. This service is offered in person or via video link and covers all aspects of your financial journey.

You’re in this group if you meet the age and residency requirements and have a modest amount of assets and income to qualify for a full Age Pension.

Product solutions

A Hostplus Pension account can help you maximise your retirement income, manage risk, and give you flexible access to your savings.

Your retirement income solution
How you can maximise your income
How this can manage retirement risks
Flexibility
LongevityInvestmentInflation
Full Age Pension and Hostplus Pension
Choice of pension payment

Protection via the Age Pension. 

Ability to manage longevity via a considered investment and drawdown strategy.

Wide range of investment options including Choiceplus and CPIplus
  • Ability to index pension payments in line with CPI or fixed rate
  • Inflation protection via CPIplus
High flexibility - choice of pension payments and ability to make withdrawals

Member education and support

Retirement projection calculator

Use our calculator to estimate your income in retirement1 and how long your super could last. It can also help you understand how factors like super contributions and investment choice can impact your future. The calculator is simple to use – there’s even a short instruction video to help you get the most out of it.

Webinars

Our specialist financial planners can help you learn more about retirement planning, maximising your Centrelink entitlements, and more. You can register for our live webinars or watch a recorded version at a time that suits. 

Hostplus mobile app

Manage your super easily and conveniently. Check your account balance and transaction history, see how your super’s growing, update your details, and more.

Retirement forums

Join our specially crafted in person events tailored for retirees. Expert guest speakers will delve into various topics concerning post-retirement life. Can't attend in person? No worries! We'll ensure you can still catch all the action by live streaming the events for your convenience.

Ongoing communications

We’ll keep you updated on the tools and services we offer, so you can get the most out of your retirement.

Financial planning and advice

Phone-based advice about your Hostplus account

Our licensed superannuation advisers can provide advice on your super with Hostplus, including advice on selecting the right investment option for your super or pension account. Best of all, this type of advice is available at no extra cost to you4.  

Specialist retirement planning advice

Our professional financial planners are dedicated to helping you achieve your retirement goals, including making sure you have enough for retirement, and that you're making the most of your super. This service is offered in person or via video link and covers all aspects of your financial journey.

You’re in this group if you meet the age and residency requirements and have a moderate amount of assets and income to qualify for a partial Age Pension. A full Age Pension may be available later in retirement.

Product solutions

A Hostplus Pension account can help you maximise your retirement income, manage risk, and give you flexible access to your savings.

Your retirement income solution
How you can maximise your income
How this can manage retirement risks
Flexibility
LongevityInvestmentInflation
Partial Age Pension and Hostplus Pension
Choice of pension payments

Protection via the Age Pension. 

Ability to manage longevity via a considered investment and drawdown strategy.

Wide range of investment options including Choiceplus and CPIplus
  • Ability to index pension payments in line with CPI or fixed rate
  • Inflation protection via CPIplus
High flexibility - choice of pension payments and ability to make withdrawals

Member education and support

Retirement projection calculator

Use our calculator to estimate your income in retirement1 and how long your super could last. It can also help you understand how factors like super contributions and investment choice can impact your future. The calculator is simple to use – there’s even a short instruction video to help you get the most out of it.

Webinars

Our specialist financial planners can help you learn more about retirement planning, maximising your Centrelink entitlements, and more. You can register for our live webinars or watch a recorded version at a time that suits. 

Hostplus mobile app

Manage your super easily and conveniently. Check your account balance and transaction history, see how your super’s growing, update your details, and more.

Retirement forums

Join our specially crafted in person events tailored for retirees. Expert guest speakers will delve into various topics concerning post-retirement life. Can't attend in person? No worries! We'll ensure you can still catch all the action by live streaming the events for your convenience.

Ongoing communications

We’ll keep you updated on the tools and services we offer, so you can get the most out of your retirement.

Financial planning and advice

Phone-based advice about your Hostplus account

Our licensed superannuation advisers can provide advice on your super with Hostplus, including advice on selecting the right investment option for your super or pension account. Best of all, this type of advice is available at no extra cost to you4.  

Specialist retirement planning advice

Our professional financial planners are dedicated to helping you achieve your retirement goals, including making sure you have enough for retirement, and that you're making the most of your super. This service is offered in person or via video link and covers all aspects of your financial journey.

You're in this group if you've reached your Age Pension age but do not meet the Age Pension residency requirements or exceed the assets and/or income thresholds for the Age Pension. A partial Age Pension may be available later in retirement.

Product solutions

A Hostplus Pension account can help you maximise your retirement income, manage risk, and give you flexible access to your savings.

Your retirement income solution
How you can maximise your income
How this can manage retirement risks
Flexibility
LongevityInvestmentInflation
Hostplus Pension
Choice of pension payment strategy

No inbuilt protection unless you become eligible for a partial Age Pension

Ability to manage longevity via considered investment and drawdown strategies

Wide range of investment options including Choiceplus and CPIplus
  • Ability to index pension payments in line with CPI or fixed rate
  • Inflation protection via CPIplus
High flexibility - choice of pension payments and ability to make withdrawals

Member education and support

Retirement projection calculator

Use our calculator to estimate your income in retirement1 and how long your super could last. It can also help you understand how factors like super contributions and investment choice can impact your future. The calculator is simple to use – there’s even a short instruction video to help you get the most out of it.

Webinars

Our specialist financial planners can help you learn more about retirement planning, maximising your Centrelink entitlements, and more. You can register for our live webinars or watch a recorded version at a time that suits. 

Hostplus mobile app

Manage your super easily and conveniently. Check your account balance and transaction history, see how your super’s growing, update your details, and more.

Retirement forums

Join our specially crafted in person events tailored for retirees. Expert guest speakers will delve into various topics concerning post-retirement life. Can't attend in person? No worries! We'll ensure you can still catch all the action by live streaming the events for your convenience.

Ongoing communications

We’ll keep you updated on the tools and services we offer, so you can get the most out of your retirement.

Financial planning and advice

Phone-based advice about your Hostplus account

Our licensed superannuation advisers can provide advice on your super with Hostplus, including advice on selecting the right investment option for your super or pension account. Best of all, this type of advice is available at no extra cost to you4.  

Specialist retirement planning advice

Our professional financial planners are dedicated to helping you achieve your retirement goals, including making sure you have enough for retirement, and that you're making the most of your super. This service is offered in person or via video link and covers all aspects of your financial journey.

You’re in this group if you haven’t received super contributions for 12 months or more and either have previously accessed your super or are over 65.

Product solutions

If you’re 65 or over and retired, a Hostplus Pension account can help you maximise your retirement income, manage risk, and give you flexible access to your savings. It can also help you save tax, as investment earnings in a pension account are received tax-free. Speak with one of our specialist retirement planning advisers who can help you decide if this is the right option for you, or read the Hostplus Pension Guide.

Hostplus super account

With flexible investment and insurance options and a low administration fee 5, a Hostplus super account can help you grow your retirement savings.

Member education and support

Retirement projection calculator

Use our calculator to estimate your income in retirement1 and how long your super could last. It can also help you understand how factors like super contributions and investment choice can impact your future. The calculator is simple to use – there’s even a short instruction video to help you get the most out of it.

Retirement income statement projections

Get an estimate of your future retirement income with your annual member statement. See where you stand and take steps to boost your retirement income.2

Login to member online to view your statement.

Hostplus mobile app

Manage your super easily and conveniently. Check your account balance and transaction history, see how your super’s growing, update your details, and more.

Webinars

Our specialist financial planners can help you learn more about retirement planning, maximising your Centrelink entitlements, and more. You can register for our live webinars or watch a recorded version at a time that suits. 

Retirement symposiums and forums

Join our specially crafted in person events tailored for retirees and those planning for retirement. Expert guest speakers will delve into various topics concerning both pre and post-retirement life. Can't attend in person? No worries! We'll ensure you can still catch all the action by live streaming the events for your convenience.

Financial planning and advice

Phone-based advice about your Hostplus account

Our licensed superannuation advisers can provide advice on your super with Hostplus, including advice on selecting the right investment option for your super or pension account. Best of all, this type of advice is available at no extra cost to you4.  

Specialist retirement planning advice

Our professional financial planners are dedicated to helping you achieve your retirement goals, including making sure you have enough for retirement, and that you're making the most of your super. This service is offered in person or via video link and covers all aspects of your financial journey.

What are we
doing next?

Our Retirement Income Strategy will evolve as we better understand our member needs and preferences, which will help us enhance and tailor our products, member education and support tools, and financial planning and advice solutions.

Over the next 24 months we intend to:

  • undertake further research to better understand our members’ needs and the key factors influencing their retirement decisions
  • introduce information packs to provide additional guidance; this could include detailed projections, case studies, and fact sheets to assist with retirement and retirement planning
  • investigating the use of lifetime income products to help manage longevity risk
  • determining the suitability of products and income drawdown defaults that further improve member retirement outcomes
  • identify further opportunities to provide personalised and cost-effective retirement advice and education and support to suit varying member needs
  • review our investment menu to provide members with more choice and ability to tailor their investments in, and as they approach, retirement

We’ll continuously monitor our strategy and the retirement outcomes it generates, while also undertaking a comprehensive formal review of the strategy every three years.

How to
contact us

We’re striving to better understand your retirement needs and objectives so we can keep developing products and solutions to help you meet them. If you have any questions or feedback on our retirement income strategy, you can reach out to us using the online form.

The information is general in nature and does not take into account your personal circumstances. Before making any financial decision, you should consider obtaining professional financial advice from a licenced financial adviser. Results are expressed in today's dollars, allowing for future assumed wage inflation.

1. Results are based on certain assumptions that may not reflect current or future trends and therefore do not represent actual entitlements or benefits and should not be relied upon for the purpose of making decisions in relation to a financial product. Before making any financial decisions, you should consider obtaining professional financial advice from a licenced financial adviser. Results are expressed in today's dollars, allowing for future assumed wage inflation.

2. Provided to eligible members. 

3. Based on data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics and Department of Social Services.

4. Fees may apply for personal financial advice.

5 .Other fees and costs apply. Refer to the Hostplus Pension PDS for more information, available at hostplus.com.au/pds