New investment manager strives for holistic retirement income solution

In partnership with Copia Investment Partners, Vertium Asset Management, founded by Jason Teh following his departure from Investors Mutual Limited (IML), has launched the Vertium Equity Income Fund, the first Australian retirement income fund to explicitly target the triple objectives of more income, less risk and greater returns.

Vertium founder and CEO, Jason said, “We are entering an era where people, largely ageing baby boomers, will redefine their investment needs and will demand a different investment approach. Investors approaching retirement or who have already retired have different investment needs.

At Vertium, we have one fund, one strategy and aim to do one thing very well. We aim to preserve retirement savings while delivering regular income, at the same time growing capital in a risk-controlled way so investors may have more for longer.

“Unlike investors accumulating wealth, retirees broadly need: regular income – to cover living expenses and to keep pace with inflation, lower investment risk – to preserve capital and reduce the impact of market downturns, and capital growth – to ensure their savings can adequately sustain them over the long term.

But, with living costs rising and people living longer, there is a real social and financial risk that retirees employing only an asset allocation strategy may outlive their savings. An equity income strategy has the potential to reduce this risk and become an integral part of a balanced retirement investment portfolio,” said Teh.

The Vertium Equity Income Fund is designed to address the needs and satisfy the risk appetite of retirees by providing an attractive mix of income, reduced volatility and capital growth.

In welcoming Vertium to Copia Investment Partners, CEO Sam Baillieu said, “We are delighted to have partnered with Jason and the Vertium team.

Jason’s track record speaks for itself, but it is his passion, integrity and singular focus on meeting client objectives that makes Vertium such an exciting investment manager partner. In addition, we believe there is enormous demand from investors and their advisers for a holistic equity income fund that meets the triple of objectives of more income, less risk and greater returns.”