AASB 1056

The objective of this Standard is to specify requirements for the general purpose financial statements of superannuation entities with a view to providing users with information useful for decision making in a superannuation entity context.

AusCF paragraphs included in this Standard apply only to:

(a) not-for-profit entities; and

(b) for-profit entities that are not applying the Conceptual Framework for Financial Reporting (as identified in AASB 1048 Interpretation of Standards).

Such entities are referred to as ‘AusCF entities’. For AusCF entities, the term ‘reporting entity’ is defined in AASB 1057 Application of Australian Accounting Standards and Statement of Accounting Concepts SAC 1 Definition of the Reporting Entity also applies. For-profit entities applying the Conceptual Framework for Financial Reporting (as set out in paragraph Aus1.1 of the Conceptual Framework) shall not apply AusCF paragraphs.

This Standard applies to:

(a) general purpose financial statements of each superannuation entity that is a reporting entity; and

(b) financial statements of a superannuation entity that are held out to be general purpose financial statements.

This Standard applies to annual reporting periods beginning on or after 1 July 2016.

This Standard may be applied to annual reporting periods beginning before 1 July 2016. When an entity applies this Standard to such an annual reporting period, it shall disclose that fact.

When applied or operative, this Standard supersedes AAS 25 Financial Reporting by Superannuation Plans as issued in March 1993 and amended to December 2013.

Unless otherwise specified in this Standard, the financial statements of a superannuation entity shall be prepared in accordance with other applicable Australian Accounting Standards.

Except in specified circumstances, this Standard requires a superannuation entity to apply other applicable Australian Accounting Standards. One of the main exceptions is to require most assets to be measured at fair value.

A superannuation entity shall present:

(a) a statement of financial position as at the end of the reporting period;

(b) an income statement for the period;

(c) a statement of changes in equity/reserves for the period;

(d) a statement of cash flows for the period;

(e) a statement of changes in member benefits for the period; and

(f) notes to the financial statements.

The income statement shall include line items that present, when applicable, the following amounts for the period:

(a) income, in aggregate or subclassified, subject to paragraph 10;

(b) expenses, in aggregate or subclassified, subject to paragraph 10;

(c) net benefits allocated to defined contribution member accounts;

(d) the net change in defined benefit member liabilities;

(e) net result, subject to paragraph 10; and

(f) income tax expense or benefit attributable to net result.

When a superannuation entity acts in the capacity of an insurer in respect of defined contribution members, the income statement or notes to the financial statements shall separately present insurance premiums, claim expenses, reinsurance expenses, reinsurance recoveries, and the net result from insurance activities.

A statement of changes in member benefits shall present opening and closing balances for member liabilities and, when applicable, include the following line items for the period:

(a) employer contributions;

(b) member contributions;

(c) taxes on contributions;

(d) benefits transferred into the entity from other superannuation entities;

(e) benefits to members or their beneficiaries;

(f) insurance premiums charged to defined contribution member accounts;

(g) net benefits allocated to defined contribution member accounts;

(h) net changes to defined benefit member accrued benefits; and

(i) amounts allocated to members from reserves.

Current tax and deferred tax shall be charged or credited directly to member liabilities and presented in the statement of changes in member benefits when the tax relates to items that are credited or charged, in the same or a different period, directly to member liabilities.

All recognised assets and liabilities except member liabilities, tax assets and liabilities, acquired goodwill, insurance assets and liabilities, and employer-sponsor receivables shall be measured at fair value at each reporting date.

Obligations relating to member entitlements shall be recognised as member liabilities.

Member liabilities shall be measured as the accrued benefits of members as set out in paragraphs 16 and 17.

Defined contribution member liabilities shall be measured as the amount of member account balances as at the reporting date.

Defined benefit member liabilities shall be measured as the amount of a portfolio of investments that would be needed as at the reporting date to yield future net cash inflows that would be sufficient to meet accrued benefits as at that date when they are expected to fall due.

An asset relating to an employer-sponsor receivable shall be recognised to the extent there is a difference between a defined benefit member liability and the fair value of assets available to meet that liability that meets the definition and recognition criteria for an asset in the Conceptual Framework for Financial Reporting (as identified in AASB 1048 Interpretation of Standards).

Notwithstanding paragraph 18, in respect of AusCF entities, an asset relating to an employer-sponsor receivable shall be recognised to the extent there is a difference between a defined benefit member liability and the fair value of assets available to meet that liability that meets the definition and recognition criteria for an asset in the Framework for the Preparation and Presentation of Financial Statements (as identified in AASB 1048 Interpretation of Standards).

An asset recognised in accordance with paragraph 18 shall be measured consistently with the measurement of defined benefit member liabilities less the relevant amount of the other recognised assets held to meet those liabilities.

Paragraph AG5 of Appendix B includes guidance on the approach to disclosure principles and requirements in other Australian Accounting Standards that a superannuation entity applies when relevant.

A superannuation entity shall disclose information that provides users with a basis for understanding the benefits the entity provides to members. These disclosures shall include the types of benefits the superannuation entity provides and, when applicable, whether the superannuation entity can accept new defined benefit members.

A superannuation entity shall disclose information that provides users with a basis for understanding the nature and amounts of income and expenses.

A superannuation entity shall disclose information that provides users with a basis for understanding member liabilities.

In relation to defined contribution member liabilities, to meet the objective in paragraph 23, when applicable, an entity:

(a) applies the disclosure requirements of AASB 7 Financial Instruments: Disclosures in respect of credit risk, market risk and liquidity risk, as if defined contribution member liabilities were financial liabilities; and

(b) discloses the amount of any net assets attributable to defined contribution members but not allocated to those members as at the end of the period.

In relation to defined benefit member liabilities, to meet the objective in paragraph 23, the disclosures would include:

(a) information in relation to the key assumptions used in measuring defined benefit member liabilities, including:

(i) the basis for the key assumptions, including the manner in which they have been determined;

(ii) the key assumptions used, as percentages or in other quantitative terms or in qualitative form; and

(iii) the sensitivity of the liabilities to reasonably possible changes in the key assumptions;

(b) the amount of vested benefits at the end of the period;

(c) whether the actual level of contributions is consistent with the actuary’s recommendations;

(d) information about the manner in which the entity manages liquidity risk; and

(e) where the entity’s actual investment portfolio differs from the portfolio used in measuring defined benefit member liabilities in accordance with paragraph 17, an explanation of why that is the case.

When an employer-sponsor receivable is recognised in accordance with paragraph 18, the main features of the specific contractual or statutory arrangement in place between the superannuation entity and the relevant employer-sponsor(s) shall be disclosed.

To meet the objective in paragraph 26, the disclosures would include:

(a) whether the arrangement is contractual or statutory and, in the latter case, the name of the statute;

(b) the identity of the employer-sponsor(s); and

(c) the manner in which the receivable is expected to be realised by the entity.

Where the amount of net assets attributable to defined benefit members differs from defined benefit member liabilities determined in accordance with this Standard, the entity shall disclose information that provides users with a basis for understanding the nature, causes of and any strategies for addressing the difference between the two amounts.

To meet the objective in paragraph 28, the disclosures would include:

(a) whether the difference has arisen, in whole or in part, as a consequence of applying different assumptions for the purposes of determining funding levels and measuring defined benefit member liabilities and, if so, the nature of the differences between the assumptions; and

(b) in the case of a difference not wholly explained by (a):

(i) the entity’s strategy for addressing the difference and the anticipated timeframe over which the difference is expected to be eliminated; and

(ii) any plans or processes in place for employer-sponsors to seek to be paid some or all of a surplus or to reduce the level of their contributions in the future.

A superannuation entity shall disclose information that provides users with a basis for understanding the overall change in defined benefit member liabilities.

To meet the objective in paragraph 30, the disclosures would include quantitative or qualitative information about changes to key assumptions.

A superannuation entity shall disclose disaggregated information when it is necessary to explain the risks and benefit arrangements relating to different categories of members.

A superannuation entity acting in the capacity of an insurer shall:

(a) recognise liabilities and assets arising from its insurance and reinsurance arrangements;

(b) measure liabilities and assets arising from insurance and reinsurance arrangements using the approach to measuring defined benefit member liabilities; and

(c) if reinsurance assets are impaired, reduce the carrying amount of those assets and recognise the impairment in the income statement.

A reinsurance asset is impaired if, and only if:

(a) there is objective evidence, as a result of an event that occurred after initial recognition of the reinsurance asset, that the entity may not receive amounts due to it under the terms of the contract; and

(b) that event has a reliably measurable impact on the amounts that the entity will receive from the reinsurer.

A superannuation entity acting in the capacity of an insurer in respect of defined contribution members that recognises insurance liabilities and assets shall disclose information that provides a basis for understanding the amount, timing and uncertainty of future cash flows relating to those liabilities and assets.

To meet the objective in paragraph 35, the disclosures would include quantitative or qualitative information in relation to:

(a) key assumptions used in measuring liabilities arising from insurance arrangements the superannuation entity provides to its members;

(b) any uncertainties surrounding those key assumptions; and

(c) any uncertainties surrounding reinsurance assets.

On initial application of this Standard, superannuation entities need not present a statement of financial position as at the beginning of the earliest comparative period.

Benefits the superannuation entity is presently obliged to transfer to members or their beneficiaries in the future as a result of membership up to the end of the reporting period.

An entity that is an approved deposit fund within the meaning of section 10 of the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993.

A member whose benefits are specified, or are determined, at least in part, by reference to a formula based on their years of membership and/or salary level.

Members identified as defined benefit members based on the definition in this Standard are not expected to be different from members identified as defined benefit members under prudential regulation.

A member whose benefits are determined by reference to accumulated contributions made on their behalf and/or by them, together with investment earnings thereon.

If an individual member’s benefit entitlements have characteristics of both defined benefit and defined contribution entitlements, the member is regarded as a defined benefit member for the purpose of this Standard.

An entity that constitutes one or more superannuation plan(s) or an approved deposit fund.

An entity that is:

(a) regulated under the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993, or similar legislative requirements in the case of an exempt public sector superannuation plan; and

(b) established and maintained:

(i) in order to receive superannuation contributions; and

(ii) for the primary purpose of providing benefits to members upon their retirement, death, disablement or other event that qualifies as a condition of release for member benefits.

Superannuation plans may be constituted as separate entities or as a number of separate entities established to administer aspects of the plan (such as when one entity administers contributions and another administers benefit payments).

The value of benefits to which members or their beneficiaries would be entitled on voluntary withdrawal from the superannuation entity or on becoming entitled to a pension or deferred benefit as at the end of the reporting period.

In the context of a defined benefit member’s vested benefits, withdrawal means withdrawal by a member from either the defined benefit section of their superannuation plan or withdrawal from the plan itself.

This Standard applies to the general purpose financial statements of superannuation entities, as defined in Appendix A. The definition of ‘superannuation entity’ includes regulated superannuation funds under the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993 (SIS Act). It also includes various public sector superannuation arrangements, but does not include pooled superannuation trusts. Accordingly the term has a different meaning in this Standard from its meaning in the SIS Act.

In some cases, entities administering superannuation arrangements, particularly in the public sector, would need to consider the nature of their activities and the boundaries of their arrangements to determine whether they are superannuation entities that would apply this Standard. They may instead be only custodial arrangements under which member liabilities rest directly and solely with employer-sponsors.

When the recognition, measurement and disclosure principles and requirements in this Standard address the same items or events as the recognition, measurement and disclosure principles and requirements in other Australian Accounting Standards, a superannuation entity need not apply those other Standards. For example, a superannuation entity applying this Standard would:

(a) measure financial assets at fair value and recognise fair value changes in the income statement and not apply AASB 9 Financial Instruments; which might otherwise require some financial assets to be measured at amortised cost or fair value through other comprehensive income; and

(b) disclose information about expenses in accordance with paragraphs 9 and 22 and need not disclose information in accordance with paragraphs 99-105 of AASB 101 Presentation of Financial Statements regarding an analysis of expenses.

Additionally, when the measurement principles in this Standard are different from the measurement principles in other Australian Accounting Standards, the disclosure requirements related to the measurement requirements in those other Australian Accounting Standards do not apply. For example, a superannuation entity that holds plant and equipment is not required to disclose the carrying amounts that would have been recognised had the assets been measured under the cost model in accordance with paragraph 77(e) of AASB 116 Property, Plant and Equipment.

When a superannuation entity applies the recognition and measurement principles and requirements in other Australian Accounting Standards, the entity would also apply any relevant disclosure principles and requirements contained in those other Standards unless they are specifically modified by this Standard. Australian Accounting Standards that contain disclosure principles and requirements, some or all of which a superannuation entity would apply, when relevant, include but are not limited to the following:

(a) AASB 7 Financial Instruments: Disclosures;^[1]

(b) AASB 12 Disclosure of Interests in Other Entities;

(ba) AASB 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers;

(c) AASB 101 Presentation of Financial Statements;

(d) AASB 107 Statement of Cash Flows;

(e) AASB 108 Accounting Policies, Changes in Accounting Estimates and Errors;

(f) AASB 110 Events after the Reporting Period;

(g) AASB 112 Income Taxes;

(h) [deleted]

(i) AASB 124 Related Party Disclosures.

When a superannuation entity applies other Australian Accounting Standards, the entity also applies relevant Australian Interpretations listed in AASB 1048 Interpretation of Standards.

Consistent with AASB 101, alternative titles can be used for the financial statements to suit the circumstances. For example, the statement of changes in equity might be better described as a statement of changes in reserves in some circumstances.

Where a superannuation entity’s total assets differs from its total liabilities (including defined contribution member liabilities, defined benefit member liabilities and any obligations to employer-sponsors), the difference is classified as equity and presented in accordance with applicable Australian Accounting Standards. In these circumstances, consistent with paragraph 55 of AASB 101, the entity may need to present additional line items, headings and subtotals in the statement of financial position when such presentation is relevant to an understanding of the entity’s financial position.

Differences between the total assets and total liabilities of a superannuation entity commonly arise in relation to matters such as operational risk reserves and, in respect of defined benefit members, due to factors such as differences between actual and assumed experience.

A superannuation entity that has both defined contribution and defined benefit members would present separately its obligations for the two types of benefits in accordance with paragraph 32.

Superannuation entities would be expected to present the various classes of their investments in a meaningful way, consistent with the requirements of AASB 101.

Judgement needs to be exercised in the context of a superannuation entity about how to describe investments presented in its statement of financial position so as to explain the nature of investments to users. For example, an investment in a unit trust might need to be described so as to reflect the nature of the assets underlying the unit trust.

Revenues and expenses are presented in relevant subclassifications in the income statement or notes to the financial statements.

Gains and losses arising from the remeasurement of assets and liabilities measured at fair value are included in the income statement. An example of a liability measured at fair value is a derivative financial instrument that is a liability.

The income tax expense or benefit attributable to profit or loss does not include the taxes levied on concessional contributions, which is included in the statement of changes in member benefits and impacts on the amount of net benefits allocated to members.

The net change in defined benefit member liabilities for a period is the difference between the opening and closing balances of the defined benefit member liabilities for the period, after adjusting for inwards and outwards movements, including:

(a) contributions;

(b) tax on contributions;

(c) benefits to members; and

(d) transfers between reserves and accrued benefits.

A superannuation entity that presents an income statement in accordance with this Standard does not present a single statement of comprehensive income, or separate income statement and statement of comprehensive income, in accordance with AASB 101.

In the context of the line items that might appear in a statement of changes in member benefits in accordance with paragraph 11:

(a) employer contributions include both routine contributions and any ‘top-up’ contributions made to fund defined benefit member liabilities;

(b) net benefits allocated to defined contribution members include the investment returns and fair value movements allocated to these members – the line item might be positive or negative; and

(c) net changes to defined benefit members may include a number of components because the service element for a period might be different from actual contributions for that period and because of the interest cost associated with the liability – the line item might be positive or negative.

When a surplus in a defined benefit plan is being used to fund employer contributions to defined contribution members within the one superannuation entity, the entity determines the most relevant presentation in the statement of changes in member benefits in the circumstances. That might include presenting a transfer from defined benefit member benefits to defined contribution member benefits as separate line items in relation to sources of contributions.

In relation to the net amount allocated to defined contribution member accounts, when appropriate, there shall be separate disclosure of net investment income and the administration costs charged to member accounts in the statement of changes in member benefits or in the notes to the financial statements.

Under this Standard, the interests of members of superannuation entities are liabilities and are not regarded as meeting the definition of an ‘equity instrument’ in paragraph 11 of AASB 132 Financial Instruments: Presentation, which is “any contract that evidences a residual interest in the assets of an entity after deducting all of its liabilities”. Superannuation entities would not disclose ‘equity’ information equivalent to that required by paragraphs 79(a) and 80 of AASB 101, in relation to member liabilities.

Paragraph 6 of AASB 101 notes: entities that do not have equity as defined in AASB 132 may need to adapt the financial statement presentation of members’ interests. Consistent with this notion, superannuation entities need to exercise judgement in preparing the statement of changes in equity/reserves, including the title and content of that statement.

This Standard requires assets and liabilities, other than member liabilities, tax assets and liabilities, acquired goodwill and insurance assets and liabilities, to be measured at fair value with fair value changes recognised through the income statement. This would include:

(a) financial assets and liabilities, including derivatives;

(b) investment property; and

(c) property, plant and equipment.

In determining the fair value measurements and accounting for any transaction costs, a superannuation entity applies the relevant principles and requirements in other applicable Australian Accounting Standards, including in particular AASB 13 Fair Value Measurement. Superannuation entities shall not apply AASB 5 Non-current Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations.

The amount of defined benefit member liabilities measured in accordance with paragraph 17 is a present value based on a portfolio of investments estimated to yield future net cash inflows that would be sufficient to meet accrued benefit payments when they are expected to fall due. In this context:

(a) the amount relates to members’ service up to the reporting date;

(b) it is assumed the accrued benefits will be fulfilled and, accordingly, there is no adjustment for the superannuation entity’s own credit risk;

(c) the expected cash outflows relevant to measuring the liability take into account the timing and probabilities attaching to various factors that reflect the characteristics of the members/beneficiaries and the features of entitlements (including expected rates of: member turnover; mortality and disability; salary adjustment; early retirement; and member choice of available options, such as lump sum and pension options). The relevant portfolio of investments would not necessarily be a portfolio of instruments that is expected to yield contractual net cash inflows that match the timing of the expected net cash outflows relating to the liability. It might be a portfolio that is expected to yield either contractual or non-contractual net cash inflows that match the timing of expected net cash outflows relating to the liability;

(d) the investment returns relevant to measuring the liability are those expected on a portfolio of investments that reflects the opportunities available in investment markets and not necessarily the actual investments held by the superannuation entity to meet accrued defined benefit member liabilities. Accordingly, the measurement is not dependent on whether the benefits are fully funded, under/over funded or completely unfunded. However, in many cases there would be a strong relationship between the portfolio of investments used for measurement purposes and, where relevant, the superannuation entity’s actual portfolio of investments, consistent with its investment strategy in respect of meeting defined benefit member liabilities;

(e) the accrued benefit amount might be more or less than the value of vested benefits; and

(f) the discount rate would exclude risks incorporated in the expected cash flows (to avoid ‘double-counting’ of the impacts of risks).

In applying the defined benefit member liability measurement requirements of this Standard, superannuation entities may use estimates, averages and computational shortcuts provided that application of those shortcut techniques yield a reasonable approximation of the defined benefit member liabilities.

A specific contractual or statutory arrangement in place between the superannuation entity and the relevant employer-sponsor(s) in relation to funding defined benefit member liabilities might give rise to an asset recognised in accordance with paragraph 18.

A receivable meeting the definition and recognition criteria for an asset in the Conceptual Framework for Financial Reporting would be measured at its intrinsic value. That is, the difference between the defined benefit member liabilities and the amount of the other recognised assets held to meet those liabilities, unless the amount of the receivable is capped in some manner.

Notwithstanding paragraph AG28, in respect of AusCF entities, a receivable meeting the definition and recognition criteria for an asset in the Framework for the Preparation and Presentation of Financial Statements would be measured at its intrinsic value. That is, the difference between the defined benefit member liabilities and the amount of the other recognised assets held to meet those liabilities, unless the amount of the receivable is capped in some manner.

To meet the objectives in paragraph 22, when relevant, the superannuation entity discloses:

(a) income by class, such as interest, dividends and rentals;

(b) net gain or loss arising from the remeasurement of assets and liabilities measured at fair value;

(c) net gain or loss attributable to liabilities and assets arising from insurance arrangements the superannuation entity provides to its members;

(d) administration expenses;

(e) investment expenses, such as investment manager fees, investment consultant fees and custodian fees;

(f) actuarial fees;

(g) audit fees;

(h) commissions paid directly by the superannuation entity;

(i) trustee fees and reimbursements; and

(j) sponsorship and advertising expenses.

Paragraph 23 requires a superannuation entity to disclose information that provides users with a basis for understanding member liabilities. Paragraph 24(a) requires a superannuation entity to treat its defined contribution member liabilities as being within the scope of AASB 7 for the purposes of disclosing information about credit risk, market risk and liquidity risk. The fair value disclosure requirements of AASB 7 need not be applied in respect of member liabilities.

In applying the relevant principles and requirements of AASB 7 in respect of credit risk, market risk and liquidity risk, an entity would give consideration to the characteristics of member benefits in determining the information it would provide. For example, the entity would consider disclosing:

(a) the mechanism by which market risk is passed on to members, such as through frequent crediting of member accounts; and

(b) how it manages the liquidity risk associated with meeting withdrawals and, when relevant, pension payments.

Paragraph 25(a)(iii) identifies disclosure of the sensitivity of defined benefit member liabilities to changes in key assumptions used in their measurement as being required to meet the objective of paragraph 23. The subject of the disclosures is reasonably possible changes in the key assumptions. When there is more than one key assumption for which a change is judged to be reasonably possible, the analysis can be performed on a univariate basis or on a multivariate basis.

When a superannuation entity has multiple defined benefit plans, judgement needs to be applied to determine the most relevant levels of aggregation at which to disclose information, particularly where the information differs from plan to plan. Depending on the circumstances, the requirements might be able to be satisfied through aggregate disclosures about multiple plans or they might need to involve plan-by-plan disclosure.

In meeting the requirement in paragraph 32 to present disaggregated information, a superannuation entity that has material member liabilities relating to different types of members, such as defined contribution members and defined benefit members, would need to consider separately presenting:

(a) line items in the statement of financial position for each of the different membership types in respect of member liabilities; and

(b) either a single statement of changes in member benefits with columns or notes showing the amounts relating to different membership types or separate statements of changes in member benefits for each different type of members.

This would be in addition to presenting the aggregated information.

Depending on the circumstances of the superannuation entity, other disaggregated information might also be necessary to explain the risks to which different categories of members are exposed.

For the purpose of applying the disclosure principles and requirements in AASB 7, an entity would consider financial assets and any financial liabilities to be measured at fair value through profit or loss and, accordingly, the fair value disclosure requirements of AASB 7 need not be applied to these assets and liabilities.

For the purpose of applying the disclosure principles and requirements in AASB 7, an entity would read references in AASB 7 to ‘statement of comprehensive income’ to mean ‘income statement’.

In complying with the comparative information requirements of AASB 101 a superannuation entity discloses:

(a) key assumptions used in measuring defined benefit member liabilities at the end of the last annual reporting period; and

(b) how, if at all, those assumptions differ from the corresponding key assumptions used in measuring defined benefit member liabilities at the end of the current period.

A trustee of a superannuation entity is a related party of the entity for the purpose of applying AASB 124.

Superannuation entities often have insurance arrangements in place for their members and the extent to which they affect the financial statements varies depending on the nature of those arrangements. Some superannuation entities act only as agents for external insurers. Other superannuation entities act in the capacity of insurers and, therefore, take on insurance risks.

Factors that might be considered in determining whether a superannuation entity is acting as an agent in respect of the insurance arrangements provided to members include:

(a) members (or their beneficiaries) will only receive insurance benefits if the external insurer/reinsurer pays claims;

(b) insurance premiums are only paid through the superannuation entity for administrative reasons; and

(c) insurance premiums are effectively set directly by reference to premiums set by an external insurer.

It is not necessarily indicative of a superannuation entity taking on the role of an insurer simply because:

(a) (group) insurance cover is taken out in the name of the superannuation entity trustee;

(b) claim benefits are paid to members (or their beneficiaries) via the superannuation entity; and

(c) ex gratia payments have occasionally been made by the trustees in respect of death and disability benefits.

When a superannuation entity is acting only as an agent for an external insurer, premiums are not revenues or expenses of the superannuation entity and do not give rise to insurance contract liabilities or reinsurance assets. However, the impacts on the financial statements could include:

(a) premium cash inflows collected from members and premium cash outflows paid to insurers in the statement of cash flows; and

(b) premiums charged to member accounts and insurance benefits paid to members via the superannuation entity in the statement of changes in member benefits.

When a superannuation entity is taking on the role of an insurer, the impacts on the financial statements could include:

(a) insurance contract revenue, incurred claims expense, reinsurance expense and reinsurance recoveries recognised in the income statement;

(b) insurance contract liabilities and reinsurance contract assets recognised in the statement of financial position; and

(c) insurance contract cash inflows, reinsurance contract cash outflows, claims cash outflows and reinsurance recoveries cash inflows recognised in the statement of cash flows.

Depending on the conditions set out in the relevant trust deed, defined benefit members or beneficiaries might be promised, for example, a lump sum benefit on retirement or resignation, a lump sum benefit on death or disablement, a pension on retirement for their remaining lifetime and/or a pension for the remaining lifetime of a spouse, and the pension may or may not be indexed in some way. The defined benefit member liability is effectively the sum of the expected values associated with the various ways in which members might be paid their benefits. It is relevant to consider the defined benefit member liability as a single item made up of inter-related components, rather than to seek to identify particular components for presentation purposes, such as an insurance component. Accordingly, liabilities and assets arising from insurance arrangements a superannuation entity provides to defined benefit members need not be presented as a separate liability in the statement of financial position. Furthermore, unless there are explicit direct premiums, claims, reinsurance premiums or claim recoveries relating to insurance risks, revenues and/or expenses relating to insurance arrangements a superannuation entity provides to defined benefit members need not be presented separately in the income statement or statement of changes in member benefits.

Liabilities arising from insurance arrangements a superannuation entity provides to defined contribution members shall be presented separately from the entity’s liabilities for such members’ benefits in the statement of financial position.

Assets arising from the reinsurance arrangements of a superannuation entity related to defined contribution members shall be presented separately.

Insurance contract liabilities and reinsurance contract assets are recognised and measured in accordance with the approach to measuring defined benefit member liabilities, whether they relate to defined contribution or defined benefit members. Shortcut techniques could be applied to measure insurance contract liabilities, for example, deferring and matching premiums over the period, provided the amount is not materially different from the amount that would be determined using the approach to measuring defined benefit member liabilities.

If a reinsurance asset is impaired, its carrying amount shall be reduced accordingly and an impairment expense recognised in the income statement. A reinsurance asset is impaired if, and only if:

(a) there is objective evidence, as a result of an event that occurred after initial recognition of the reinsurance asset, that the amounts due from the reinsurer may not be received under the terms of the contract; and

(b) that event has a reliably measurable impact on the amounts receivable from the reinsurer.

AASB 10 Consolidated Financial Statements, as amended by AASB 2013-5 Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards – Investment Entities, is applicable to periods beginning on or after 1 January 2014, and can be applied early.

AASB 10 is relevant for determining when consolidated financial statements must be presented. The AASB 2013-5 amendments provide an exception from consolidated financial statements for ‘investment entities’, which could include superannuation entities. The exception applies to all subsidiaries of investment entities, other than subsidiaries that provide services relating to the investment entity’s investment activities. A parent must account for its subsidiaries that are subject to the exception at fair value through profit or loss.

It is possible that now or in the future there may be superannuation entities that have subsidiaries and do not qualify to be treated as investment entities; or, that there are superannuation entities that qualify to be treated as investment entities and have subsidiaries that provide services relating to their investment activities. Such superannuation entities would:

(a) present consolidated financial statements in accordance with the requirements of AASB 10; and

(b) initially measure any non-controlling interests applying the fair value approach in accordance with AASB 3 Business Combinations at the subsidiary’s acquisition date and in accordance with AASB 10 at the end of each subsequent period.

As at 30 June 20XX, Defined Contribution Superannuation Plan (the Plan) has 425,301 members and is a public offer fund open to new members. The Plan is a defined contribution style plan and, as such, members’ accounts are credited or debited each year with contributions and a proportionate share of net investment income and expenses (including income tax expense) of the Plan.

Statement of Financial Position for Defined Contribution Superannuation Plan
as at 30 June 20XX

As at 30 June 20XX, Hybrid Superannuation Plan (the Plan) has 51,109 defined contribution members and 23,918 defined benefit members. The defined contribution part of the Plan is open to new members. All four of the defined benefit plans in the Plan are closed to new members. The defined contribution members have accounts that are credited or debited each year with contributions and a proportionate share of net investment income and expenses (including income tax expense) of the Plan. The defined benefit members have promised benefits that are determined on the basis of various formulae based on members’ salaries in the final years before they retire.

Statement of Financial Position for Hybrid Superannuation Plan

as at 30 June 20XX

Note B – Defined benefit member liabilities

In aggregate for the Plan’s four defined benefit superannuation plans, there were no unexpected events that changed defined benefit member liabilities materially. In line with general market expectations, discount rates are slightly higher at the current reporting date compared with the previous reporting date across all four plans, which had the effect of reducing defined benefit member liabilities. The Plan has no information that would lead it to adjust the assumptions around salary adjustment rates, pension index rates, resignations and mortality, which are all unchanged from the previous reporting period.

The Plan engages qualified actuaries on an annual basis to measure the defined benefit member liabilities in each of its four defined benefit plans. The Plan uses sensitivity analysis to monitor the potential impact of changes to key variables about which assumptions need to be made. The Plan has identified two assumptions (discount rate and rate of salary adjustment) for which changes are reasonably possible that would have a material impact on the amount of the liabilities.

The assumed discount rate for the four plans has been determined by reference to the investment returns expected on the investment portfolio that reflects the opportunities reasonably available to the Plan in investment markets, which also reflects the Plan’s actual investments and investment strategy in respect of defined benefit member liabilities. The assumed discount rate is the same for each of the four defined benefit plans.

Defined member benefits in each of the Plan’s four plans are based on an average of each member’s salary at specified anniversary dates in each of the last three years of their expected membership of their plan. The assumed annual salary adjustments for each of the entity’s four plans has been determined by reference to the Wage Price Index produced by the Australian Bureau of Statistics and in consultation with the employer-sponsors. The rate is the same for each of the ABC, OPQ and RST defined benefit plans. XYZ members are in an industry that is expected to experience generally higher than average salary adjustments.

The other variables about which assumptions have been made in measuring defined benefit member liabilities and for which changes are not considered reasonably possible, or for which reasonably possible changes would not be expected to have a material effect, include: pension index rates, mortality rates and resignations.

The following are sensitivity calculations on a univariate basis for the discount rate and rate of salary adjustment assumptions for the XYZ defined benefit plan and for the ABC, OPQ and RST defined benefit plans in aggregate.

The Investment reserve comprises the difference between the cumulative amount of investment income (net of investment expenses) allocated to members’ accounts compared with the cumulative investment income (net of investment expenses) earned.

Note E – Defined benefit plans that are (over) or under funded

Note F – plan ABC

Based on the existing contribution rate of the employer-sponsor of plan ABC, member benefits are projected, based on current assumptions, to be fully funded within the next two financial years.

Note G – plan OPQ

The employer-sponsor of plan OPQ intends to reduce contributions to the minimum amount required to meet its superannuation guarantee obligations, which is projected, based on current assumptions, to eliminate the surplus to zero within three years.

Note H – plans RST and XYZ

The employer-sponsors of plans RST and XYZ intend to increase their contributions for a period of three financial years to a level that is projected, based on current assumptions, to result in member liabilities being fully funded by the end of those three years.

Note I – Net assets attributable to defined benefit members

In respect of all four defined benefit plans, the entity has worked with the relevant employer-sponsors to develop a contributions strategy to fund the deficits that exist in three of the plans (ABC, RST and XYZ) and use up the surplus in one of the plans (OPQ). At the current rate of contributions from those employer-sponsors, each plan that currently has a deficit of liabilities over assets is scheduled to be fully funded within three years, and the plan that currently has a surplus is scheduled to be in balance within two years.

Income Statement for Hybrid Superannuation Plan
for the year ended 30 June 20XX

Statement of Changes in Member Benefits for Hybrid Superannuation Plan
for the year ended 30 June 20XX

Statement of Changes in Reserves for Hybrid Superannuation Plan
for the year ended 30 June 20XX

Statement of Cash Flows for Hybrid Superannuation Plan
for the year ended 30 June 20XX