Sunsuper and the Financial Planning Association of Australia (FPA) have today announced the launch of a national advice referral program that is set to benefit many of the Fund’s 1.2 million members by connecting them with FPA Professional Practices right across the country.
Sunsuper’s Executive General Manager, Growth and Advice Michael Mulholland said the Fund had entered the arrangement with the FPA in order to give its members greater access to a national network of highly qualified financial planners.
He said the partnership would see the Fund develop direct relationships with a number of FPA Professional Practices who shared the Sunsuper philosophy of always acting in members’ best interests and would complement the in-house financial advice service already offered by the Fund.
“We have long recognised the importance of financial advice in making a real and positive difference to the size of members’ retirement nest eggs,” Mr Mulholland said.
“We also know that members have distinct advice needs at different stages of their lives and that these can best be accommodated through a face-to-face meeting with an adviser who can develop a plan that accounts for their full financial position.
“We have our own in-house team of advisers based in Brisbane, Sydney and regional Queensland, but as part of the new arrangement, we will be looking to work with FPA Certified Financial Planners over a much wider geographic base who will advise and act in the best interests of our members.”
FPA CEO Mark Rantall articulated the importance of the partnership, which is the second of its kind for the FPA.
“After the successful launch of our first referral program this year, we are pleased to have entered into an additional partnership with Sunsuper. Each partnership brings us one step closer to the FPA vision that through our members, we stand with Australians for a better financial future,” said Mr Rantall.
He said the new collaboration would ensure that many more Australians have access to high quality advice from a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®.
The FPA will undertake an Expression of Interest process to all FPA Professional Practices, to support Sunsuper in connecting its members with quality financial advice. The first referrals are expected to start from January.
In conclusion, Mr Rantall acknowledged that super funds were realising the importance of offering a whole of wealth solution for members and see the referral program as an answer to this.
“Super funds are acknowledging that providing members with access to trusted financial advice is a key factor in ensuring that they can live the retirement they want and deserve.”