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Untangling the mandatory annuitisation ball of string

  • On 10/09/2014
    Rice Warner’s public voice on the merit of lifetime annuities, and our subsequent Financial System Inquiry submission on the matter were each aimed at highlighting a number of anomalies in accepted wisdom concerning mandatory annuitisation of superannuation lump sums. We sought to highlight not only the flaws, but offered up a generic solution, the Rice […]
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Putting adequacy back on the agenda

  • On 19/08/2014
The recent Financial System Inquiry’s interim report deliberately did not comment on the issue of adequacy in superannuation despite a focus on retirement solutions and the impact of fees on member balances. The avoidance of the topic likely follows from a reluctance to comment on tax and social security, both of which are integral to […]
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Beyond Murray: Why the FSI’s retirement emphasis is well placed

  • On 09/07/2014
The initial report of the Murray Financial System Inquiry (http://fsi.gov.au/publications/interim-report/) placed a strong emphasis on Australia’s collective retirement income needs. It observed that the retirement market is under-developed and does not meet the risk management needs of retirees. This demands a clear strategic direction from government along with meaningful tactical responses by the superannuation industry, legislators and, […]
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From go to whoa: why market entry and exit speed is driving direct life insurance growth

  • On 25/06/2014
Innovative product development coupled with speed to rationalise non-performing insurance offers has helped underpin strong growth in Australia’s direct life risk segment.   In 2013 we observed a spike of activity amongst direct insurers, increasing their range of products and features. And while product development was a key industry feature, so too was the rationalisation […]
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The Devil’s in the Budget detail

  • On 21/06/2014
As Treasurer Joe Hockey now traverses the politics of his first Federal Budget, the superannuation and retirement incomes sector is busy absorbing some of the devil in the Budget detail. While the headline measures such as increasing the pension age to 70 were flagged in advance of Budget night, and hence a reasonably predictable outcome, […]
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