Choose your own retirement

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Successive governments have pushed out the age at which Australians can access superannuation and aged pension benefits, which for many, delays the age at which they can retire. In this... Read more continue reading

Super funds: Learn more about members or risk regulatory intervention

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The prudential regulator has warned super fund trustees to provide concrete evidence that they understand what their members want before making decisions on their behalf. The call was made by... Read more continue reading

Life insurance advice is challenging, and insurer and technology provider initiatives are more vital than ever

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In its ninth year, the Investment Trends 2017 Planner Risk Report provides an in-depth study of Australian financial planners’ advice on life insurance. The latest edition is based on a... Read more continue reading

TAL prepares advisers for LIF changes

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TAL, Australia’s leading life insurance specialist, has launched a Risk Academy course to help advisers prepare for the impact of the incoming life insurance framework (LIF) on their businesses and professional standards.... Read more continue reading

Australian investors urged to take a long-term view to fund retirement

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Australian investors say they prefer safety over performance yet have expectations of annual returns of 9.6% above inflation, without taking on extra risk. The need to diversify and play the... Read more continue reading

The retiree and the 100-year storm – The impact of tail events on financial outcomes

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Introduction Two years ago, the Chinese stockmarket was nearing the end of a mini-meltdown during which the Shanghai Composite shed more than 40% of its value in two months. This... Read more continue reading

Consumers the forgotten party in life insurance amalgamations

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As the number of life insurance brands operating in Australia becomes more concentrated, leading mutual life insurer PPS Mutual says improving consumer trust and reputation is the biggest challenge facing... Read more continue reading

Buying shares versus paying down home debt

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Here’s an interesting situation for you to consider. I’m working with a new client who saved $300,000 to invest. Feeling they did not know what options were available to them,... Read more continue reading

The Asian century

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In December 2006, at the London School of Economics Asia Forum, former Indian PM Manmohan Singh said[1]: “The most important development, I believe, of the 21st century will be the... Read more continue reading

SMSFs with more members shun higher risk investment

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The greater the number of members in an SMSF, the more risk averse they become, according to a new research report – Gender and group bias in SMSF allocation –from... Read more continue reading