government and regulation

Policy & Regulation

We are ready for FOFA, says Financial Ombudsman Service

The Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) has played down concerns it will have little legal guidance once the Future of Financial Advice 'best interests' duties become law....

Policy & Regulation

van Eyk calls for FOFA research disclosure

Financial planners should have to clearly disclose the remuneration models of their research providers to clients, according to research house van Eyk's submission on dra...

Superannuation

StatewideSuper and Local Super begin due diligence

StatewideSuper and Local Super have announced the commencement of due diligence ahead of a potential merger between the two superannuation funds....

Policy & Regulation

van Eyk calls for FOFA research disclosure

Financial planners should have to clearly disclose the remuneration models of their research providers to clients, according to research house van Eyk's submission on dra...

Editorial

Govt's FOFA reforms a return to the 1980s

If the Government had cared to undertake a full regulatory impact analysis of its new legislation it might have quickly concluded that, in many respects, it was turning b...

Editorial

Repurposing the sole purpose test post-FOFA

The sole purpose test has governed the operations of Australian superannuation funds for nearly two decades but, as Mike Taylor reports, it may require some reinterpretat...

Policy & Regulation

FOFA could increase financial planning practice sales further

There has been unprecedented activity over the past 12 to 18 months in terms of financial planning practice sales, and it is possible the clarity provided by the latest F...

Policy & Regulation

FOFA could increase financial planning practice sales further

There has been unprecedented activity over the past 12 to 18 months in terms of financial planning practice sales, and it is possible the clarity provided by the latest F...

Financial planning

Australia needs more pension reform: Mercer

The risk of governments failing to financially support their ageing population will become more apparent unless significant pension reform is made now, according to Merce...

Superannuation

Stronger Super disadvantages SMSFs

The in-specie transfers ban announced in Stronger Super will disadvantage self-managed super funds (SMSFs) and expose them to greater costs and risks, according to Hewiso...

Superannuation

SMSF trustees need appropriate tax treatment

The self-funded nature of SMSFs should be reflected in their tax treatment, according to SPAA....

Policy & Regulation

FOFA may pressure age pension

IOOF warns FOFA changes may have unintended consequence of placing pressure on age pension....

Financial planning

Guardian Financial Planning changes name and logo

Asteron-owned dealer group Guardian Financial Planning has changed its name to Guardian Advice as part of a broader rebrand, and will reposition itself as a risk-focused ...

Financial planning

'Own occupation' TPD phase-out questioned

The Government's recent Stronger Super announcement states it will be phasing out the option to hold 'own occupation' Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) insurance polic...

Superannuation

Increase contributions cap to $35,000: SPAA

The Self Managed Super Fund Professionals' Association (SPAA) has called for the Government to increase the standard concessional contribution cap by $10,000 to $35,000 f...