First State Super is a not-for-profit Australian superannuation fund. It was initially established in 1992 to provide superannuation benefits to New South Wales government employees, but is now open to anyone eligible to receive superannuation. It is one of Australia's largest superannuation funds, with more than $90 billion in funds under management and over 800,000 members. As a not-for-profit fund all profits are returned to members, rather than being for the benefit of shareholders. This has meant that First State Super has been able to keep their fees low over time.
Ratings
The fund won Money MagazineBest of the Best 2012 Lowest-Cost Super Fund from 2007 to 2012 and Lowest-Cost Pension Fund from 2009 to 2012. Other research houses have awarded First State Super their highest possible ratings. • Rainmaker 7 Year Platinum Performance for the Employer Sponsored Division • Rainmaker 5-year Platinum Performance for Personal Super Division • Rainmaker Platinum rating for the Pension Division • Chant West 5 apples rating for Personal Super Division • Chant West 5 apples rating for Pension Division • SelectingSuper AAA rating for the fund
First State Super became a public offer fund on 1 May 2006, opening up membership to anyone eligible to receive superannuation benefits. This was in response to feedback from existing members who were keen to remain with the fund when they changed jobs and moved from the public to the private sector. The change meant First State Super became included in comparisons of performance, fees and other features with other funds.
Merge with Health Super
In July 2012, First State Super merged with Health Super, a not‐for‐profit superannuation fund for workers in the health and community services sector. At the time the merge meant the combined entity was the third largest superannuation fund in Australia.
Controversy
In September/October 2011, a security vulnerability in First State Super's system was discovered by a customer. First State Super received considerable negative publicity nationally and internationally, both for the severity of and ease of compromise of the exploit, and also for the actions and public relations that occurred in the aftermath of the notification. The Federal Privacy Commissioner investigated the event. On 7 June 2012, the Privacy Commissioner found that at the time of the incident, First State Super was in breach of National Privacy Principal 4.1. As a result of First State Super and Pillar's immediate action, the Commissioner ceased the investigation and closed his file on the matter on the basis that the response to the incident was adequate in the circumstances.
