AMP Retirement Adequacy Index shows overall adequacy levels up slightly

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The retirement adequacy of working Australians has edged slightly higher to 69.8%, up from 69.4% in 2011, but people are working for longer with average retirement ages increasing according to... Read more continue reading

Behavioural finance: Cognitive dissonance

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In any investment category there is invariably a broad spectrum of views, many of which are in outright opposition. This article by Nick Armet, Investment Director, Fidelity Worldwide Investment, looks... Read more continue reading

It costs $812,000 to raise two kids says AMP.NATSEM report

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The cost of raising kids in Australia is on the rise, with a typical middle income family spending around $812,000 to raise two children, up by 50% on 2007 figures... Read more continue reading

Twisted Clients…why they say goodbye!

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Customers leave us, and most times we blame someone else.  It gets called churn, or twisting. Probably the most contentious issue in the financial services industry is the issue of... Read more continue reading

Client satisfaction up but question advisers’ technical ability

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The ongoing noise about changes to financial services’ regulatory requirements appears to be affecting attitudes towards financial advisers. The latest Lifeplan ICFS Financial Advice Satisfaction Index* has shown clients of... Read more continue reading

Opportunity for advisers to show value of their advice

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The current market environment gives advisers a special opportunity to show their worth to clients, says Damen Purcell, head of retail distribution at Australian Unity Investments. “After three or four... Read more continue reading

Superannuation strategies for compliance and competition

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A significant number of Australian employers are yet to fully assess the impact of the upcoming Stronger Super reforms on their operations, and more than half don’t have a plan... Read more continue reading

3 reasons clients love electronic engagement

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There are some great reasons to go digital in your advice process:  not least of which is that it gets rid of the “personal embarrassment” factor many consumers have when... Read more continue reading

BT Financial Health Index reveals households under strain

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Almost a third of Australian households are living from pay cheque to pay cheque and an astonishing 17 per cent would struggle to find $500-$1000 to deal with an emergency,... Read more continue reading

Leisure spending is top financial priority for festive Aussies

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Australians are prioritising spending on holidays and leisure over other longer term financial goals according to a nationwide poll from TAL.  The research has found that the festive spirit of... Read more continue reading