In 1985, then Australian Treasurer Paul Keating established Australia’s superannuation, or national pension, scheme. Thirty years later the Australian superannuation industry, as it is called locally, is a monster managing about A$2 trillion, or $1.42 trillion, the fourth largest in the world, according to investment consultants Towers Watson.

Australia's superannuation pool has continuous inflows of funds. By law, 9.5% of any income earned in Australia must be set aside for a retirement fund or a self-managed retirement investment vehicle.