Tailored advice crucial in retirement product selection
Tailored advice rather than better disclosure documents will be crucial to the selection of appropriate retirement income products, according to major superannuation funds body, the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA).
In a submission responding to a Treasury Retirement Income Disclosure discussion paper, the ASFA cautioned that selecting an appropriate retirement income product “is not a simple task for consumers”.
In many instances tailored advice will be of more assistance than disclosure material, even if the disclosure material is in a simplified and standard form,” the submission said.
“That said, simple and meaningful disclosure in regard to retirement income products would be an important contribution to a supportive framework for such products,” it said. “In particular, ASFA recommends that lessons learned from past disclosure initiatives be kept in mind when developing simplified, standardised product disclosure for retirement income products.”
The submission said there were many factors which needed to be taken into account including age, gender, life expectancy and health.
“Disclosure material alone may not be conducive to such factors being properly considered by an individual when they are considering alternative retirement income arrangements. For many retirees and intending retirees there is a role for advice as well,” it said.
Recommended for you
ETF provider VanEck has announced its intention to launch a uranium and energy solution as global political agendas point to expansion in this sector.
PIMCO has announced the launch of a new active fixed-income ETF, marking its fifth active solution on the Australian market after the launch of four ETFs earlier in the year.
With the Australian advice market being a target for US private equity firms, a US advice commentator has shared lessons from his overseas experience, and why PE may be less attractive than initially expected.
Financial advisers are reminded to ensure their CPD is up to date with the Financial Services and Credit Panel making its second determination in a week after an adviser failed to meet the requirements.
