Announcing the ‘Epic Retirement Tick’: which funds made the cut
I am joined by by Ian Fryer from Chant West to announce the funds awarded the brand-new Epic Retirement Tick — a clear way to see which super funds are truly ready to help you in retirement.
This is a big moment.
For the first time in Australia, we now have a clear, carefully evaluated benchmark showing which super funds are genuinely ready to support Australians in pre-retirement and retirement — not just while they’re accumulating super.
It’s called the Epic Retirement Tick — powered by Chant West — and it’s designed to help people see what “good” really looks like among super funds as they approach retirement.
In this week’s episode of Prime Time, I sit down with Ian Fryer, General Manager at Chant West. Together, we unpack how the Tick was created, the 18 criteria behind it, and how you can use the Tick to feel confident your fund is prepared to support you in the years before and after full-time work.
And here’s the surprise: in this first report, only six funds qualified. The benchmark we set isn’t especially high — funds needed to meet just 12 of the 18 criteria to earn the Epic Retirement Tick in 2025–26. And as the retirement landscape evolves, those criteria will expand, and the bar will rise.
You can learn more about the tick and download a copy of the full Epic Retirement Tick report free at http://epicretirement.com.au/epictick
LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE OF THE PODCAST HERE:
Highlights of the conversation:
How the Epic Retirement Tick was developed: We unpack how the Tick came to life — from the gap in consumer-friendly benchmarks to the partnership with Chant West, the design of the 18 criteria, and what they hope this new standard will shift in the super industry.
Why retirement planning shouldn’t have a ‘one size fits all’ approach: In the working years, everyone can take the same path. But in retirement? That approach doesn’t work. Ian explains why the Tick was designed to support more personalised outcomes.
The five categories that matter most: We walk through the 5 key themes: (investments, income, advice, education, and service) that shaped the 18 key criteria of a fund’s retirement readiness including investment options tailored to the pension phase, retirement income products, drawdown guidance, advice pathways, calculators and modelling tools, education and engagement strategies, and service delivery measures such as pension payment timeliness and call centre performance.
Defining what ‘good’ looks like: Super funds have been told to improve retirement offerings but they’ve never been shown how. The Tick gives both consumers and providers a clear standard to aim for.
The six funds that received the Tick and why: From strong retirement products to better advice and tools, we reveal which funds made the cut this year and the features that helped them stand out.
Thinking about your own fund? This initiative isn’t necessarily about switching – it’s about shining a light on what “good” retirement support looks like. But if you are reviewing your fund, Ian shares what to consider before making a move, including thnking about your insurance, retirement bonuses, and personal suitability.
From Bec’s Desk
When I started this year, I was frustrated. Too often, when I raised retirement issues, or pointed out places members were struggling, the response from some funds was: “it’s just not a priority right now.” But retirement is the priority. It’s the stage of life people have spent their whole working careers saving for – and it hasn’t been getting the attention it deserves. The regulator keeps pointing that out too - so it’s not just me.
So we looked for a way we could make a difference and the Epic Retirement Tick was born – not as another industry accolade, but as a clear benchmark that shows what “good” really looks like. For funds, it’s a call to lift their game. For members, it’s a tool to see who’s truly ready to support them in retirement.
For too long, people heading into retirement had no way to evaluate their super fund’s efforts for pre-retirees and retirees – left to trust funds’ self-directed advertising and hope for the best. That changes today. The Tick sets a new standard, shining an independent light on funds that are prepared, and showing clearly that there’a a gap where others need to step up.
A lot of work from Chant West and my own small team has gone into delivering this assessment, report, and communication program, and it’s worth it. For the first time, Australians now have a consistent, transparent way to evaluate their fund before retirement. And a clear way to communicate what they need too.
I want to thank everyone who helped bring this to life, and I want to celebrate the funds that earned the Tick. You’ve shown it’s possible to put retirement firmly on the agenda. But this isn’t about ticking a box or putting another badge in your foyer – it’s about making sure Australians don’t settle for less than they deserve. The goal is quite simply to replace ordinary retirements with epic ones by giving everyday people the power and the knowledge to make considered choices. Don’t you agree…
So – grab the report, have a good look at where your fund sits, and then choose your next move. And whatever you do - remember the goal is to make your Prime Time count and then have an Epic Retirement.
Huzzah!
PS. Got a thought about the Tick and want to share it? Email me - just reply to this email. Or leave a comment here.
And if you haven’t already got it, get your copy of Prime Time: 27 Lessons for the New Midlife here. It’s still disappearing quicker than the cheese platter when the kids come home.