The retirement challenge – solving for the present, pitching for the future
The super industry’s pitch for the future will only carry weight if it delivers on present challenges. It’s time for the super industry to ‘pat head and rub tummy’, writes The Conexus Institute’s David Bell and Geoff Warren ahead of the Conexus Retirement Leaders Summit.
Industry
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So long and farewell
Several months ago, I made the difficult personal decision to step down as Professional Planner editor. While I look forward to my future plans, it has been bittersweet to leave behind a masthead I have loved leading and a financial advice profession I have great respect for.
ClearView shareholders agree to $415m acquisition by Zurich
Shareholders of ASX-listed life insurer ClearView have voted in favour of an acquisition by Swiss-based peer Zurich. The deal further consolidates the Australian life insurance market, with most firms now owned by internationally based parent companies.
More advisers, not product distribution, key to fixing advice gap
Moves by super funds such as AustralianSuper to establish advice capability risk blurring the line between product distribution and quality professional advice. Fixing the advice gap means ensuring that more, appropriately qualified advisers are available to deliver advice to Australians, regardless of where they seek it.
ASIC action against rogue financial services operators at five-year high
Enforcement action against rogue financial services operators is at a five-year high, with the latest numbers from the Australian Securities and Investments Commission revealing that 87 individuals and businesses were removed or restricted from providing financial services in the year to 30 June 2026.
Parliament should review travel restraint laws in major financial misconduct cases
As the travel restraint of First Guardian CIO Simon Selimaj has been lifted, Shield and First Guardian investor advocate Melinda Kee writes that confidence in the system is lost long before a court delivers its verdict.
Three down, one to watch: Navigating the 2026 tax reforms
The 50 per cent capital gains tax discount is gone, negative gearing has been quarantined, and SMSF property borrowing is all but finished but the measure that should be occupying advisers most hasn’t even made it into a bill, writes Arthur Marusevich.
Super war reignited as SMC spars with FSC over member switching
The Super Members Council has warned that “consumers should be wary” about any claims that they would be better off if they switched their super fund, pushing back on arguments made by the Financial Services Council in a report last month.
Morgan Stanley moves client subset off legacy platform to Netwealth
Morgan Stanley Wealth Management will move a subset of its clients off its legacy platform onto Netwealth, further aiding the platform provider’s expansion into the stockbroking and private wealth market. The deal comes as the fast-growing Netwealth plans to double in size over the next four years, despite regulatory issues caused by First Guardian in the past 12 months.
When life gives you lemons: Squeezing after-tax returns from the CGT overhaul
The proposed 30 per cent floor on capital gains tax proposed in this year’s federal budget will hit low-income investors hardest. But Betashares’ Cameron Gleeson argues it also creates a case for rethinking whether income or growth is the more tax-efficient return for these clients.
Researcher Forum
Advice Policy Summit
This event is open to CEOs and senior leaders of financial planning licensees, dealer groups and boutique advice firms, along with C-suite executives in superannuation funds with oversight of advice, education and guidance.
Advisers support philanthropy, but 60 pc never raise it with clients
The launch of a national program to support advisers on structured giving addresses four major reasons they say they stay quiet: a lack of training, fear of the client’s reaction, uncertainty about their best interests duty, and the hit to their own fee base.
Shadforth is buying businesses, not books
Not even a year on from its acquisition of Melbourne-based financial advice firm PMD Financial Advisers, Shadforth is still looking for M&A opportunities but strictly to add like-minded advisers, rather than just client books. CEO Terry Dillon tells Professional Planner what those ideal businesses looks like.
How pro-bono work helped adviser Nicola Beswick create new firm
Lawyer turned financial adviser Nicola Beswick recently launched her own financial firm White Rabbit Advisory. Through her experience on the board of the Pro Bono Financial Advice Network, she learned valuable lessons which helped her navigate the challenges of setting up her own business.
Retirement