Choosing a Financial Planner/ Adviser is an important personal matter. With conflicting information constantly in the media, consumers are confused about where to look. Your Bank? They only offer the Bank’s products. Your ‘not for profit’ Super fund? Their constant advertising is paid for from members’ funds, and they also are probably limited to discussing […]
Read MoreIs your Super fund supporting Cluster Bombs?
Cluster Bombs – not quite so super Earlier this year, the superannuation (pension) fund Australian Super, which invests $30 billion on behalf of 1.4 million working Australians, removed its ethical exclusion policy. As a result, the fund no longer excludes investment companies which derive more than 5 per cent of their revenues from the ‘manufacture […]
Read MoreIndustry Super Funds: the irony!
We had to chuckle when we heard about the latest Industry Super fund campaign against Financial Planners (well, against some Financial Planners – apparently the ones they employ to recommend Industry Super funds are ok!). Surely they can see the irony in the situation… can’t they? Irony #1: Although Industry Funds constantly attack Financial Planners who offer […]
Read MoreDon’t water the Xmas tree (& more cautionary tips!)
A look at the lighter side of serious accidents (apologies for the oxymoron!) If these sound familiar, it’s time to talk to us about your personal insurances! See the list below….. 543 Australians were admitted to casualty departments in the last 2 years from attempting to open beer bottles with their teeth or eye socket. 71% of people […]
Read MorePrepare for a comfortable retirement – get to know your Super
During your working life you make contributions to your super fund and the earnings you receive are reinvested, building up the value over time. The money that you put into your super fund must generally stay there until you reach retirement, or when you begin your transition to retirement, both after a set minimum age. […]
Read MoreProtecting your work/life balance with Income Protection
When it comes to income protection, there’s no shortage of misconceptions around what income protection actually covers, and how far reaching this cover can be. Some people think that income protection only covers injuries and has limited value for those in low risk occupations. The reality is that it also covers illness, which makes up […]
Read MoreEthics ‘up in smoke’ as Macquarie fund wins Morningstar award
Perhaps the closest thing Australia has to a ‘sin fund’ has scooped the international equities category of the Morningstar Fund Manager of the Year Awards. The Macquarie Professional Series IFP Global Franchise Fund holds tobacco companies as its top three stocks – British American Tobacco (5.6 per cent), Imperial Tobacco (4.7 per cent) and Philip […]
Read MoreA Level Playing Field: when investing ethically doesn’t mean lower performance
What if we compared two widely available managed funds – one ethically screened, the other with no screening. Would you expect the ‘ethical’ fund to have lower returns? Here’s an example - BT Investment Management’s Ethical Share Trust vs Core Australian Share Trust (Wholesale funds): - Ethical Share Trust 7 year Performance: 11.2% p.a. – Core Australian Share Trust […]
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