Super

Self-managed super funds have once again returned to popularity in recent years, with establishments seeing growth once again, as more Australians become engaged with their retirement assets. One of the less-appreciated considerations for all people, however, is what happens to your superannuation when you die. Death benefits from superannuation fall outside of your will, and…

The Your Future Your Super (YFYS) regulations have been both derided and welcomed by the industry. Bringing oversight to a multi-trillion dollar sector was important, but the regulations are far from perfect, with many suggesting they effectively direct industry funds toward an indexed approach, or alternatively, don’t appreciate the nuances of investing for the very…

As share markets fall, superannuation research houses are predicting a negative financial year for both balanced and growth superannuation funds. But over time, growth and balanced funds have delivered a strong run of returns, according to the researchers. Chant West has forecast that superannuation growth funds will deliver a median loss of 0.5 per cent…

The peak body for those advising self-managed super funds, the SMSF Association, has called for a higher education requirement for the sector. In its submission to the Quality of Advice Review, the group called on the regulator to implement changes highlighted in the prior reports done by the Productivity Commission, FASEA and ASIC, which suggest…

During a recent presentation of Invesco Global Consulting’s program, Priceless, I asked a room full of advisers how many of them had changed the way they do their annual client review meetings in the last 5 years (COVID19 changes aside).  One third of the room raised their hand.  I then asked how many feel their…

The lockdowns of 2021 and a trend for younger people to set up a self-managed superannuation funds (SMSFs) have driven a sharp growth in the number of funds being established in Australia with assets their assets under management (AUM) now approaching $1 trillion, and accounting for around one-quarter of all Australian superannuation assets. The Australian…

Given the flood of changes and regulatory oversight that has resulted from the Royal Commission, it likely comes as a surprise to many that the impending Quality of Advice Review, was actually a recommendation of Commissioner Hayne. With submissions set to close on 3 June 2022, the Financial Planning Association, along with many others including…

Once a stalking horse for a small cabal of noisy backbenchers, “Home First, Super Second” has found its way into the Coalition’s policy arsenal ahead of an unpredictable election. It was perhaps premature to write, in late March, that the super wars were over. Scott Morrison’s announcement on Sunday that first home buyers would be able…

There is growing pressure on the long-awaited Quality of Advice review to deliver real change to an industry that has been saddled with layer after layer of regulation, compliance and paperwork. Commentary around the cost of advice highlights an important issue, yet given the level of importance and value that can come from a document…

The VIX Volatility Index or Fear Index hit a 52-week high of 38.94 last week after $65bn was wiped off the Australian share market. To put that in context, the VIX index rose to 65pts when Covid-19 first hit and peaked at 80 at the start of the GFC. While the VIX index has broken…

“We are at a critical crossroad, with an aging population, and the “Great Australian Wealth Transfer” at our doorstep” explained Lifespan Financial Planning CEO Eugene Ardino in an open letter to Scott Morrison and Anthony Albanese on the eve of the Federal Election. Ardino was compelled to speak out on behalf of the financial advice…

In an update from Sarah Abood, CEO of the Financial Planning Association (FPA), confirmed the message from members on fees had been ‘loud and clear’. Members have railed against the additional ‘Marketing Levy’ since it was applied several years ago suggesting this should be caught in the normal FPA budget. The FPA has responded by…