Understanding Superannuation Fund Returns

I’m sorry, that was just sooooo funny that i almost choked even as i was typing it. ‘Understanding’ is not a word usually associated with superannuation funds, never mind understanding anything about the investment returns achieved by those funds. APRA (the government body charged with supervision of a lot of these areas) has just released … Read more

Who needs a Financial Planner?

Correct answer : No-one. Notes : This is correct on the same basis that no-one needs a doctor, a lawyer or a politician. Each of these professions fails to meet the “basic needs” criteria. The same argument could be put for trade professions such as plumbers, brick-layers, truck drivers or mechanics. It is quite possible … Read more

Vested Interests and Superannuation Advice

We mere mortals here in Wealth & Security Planners have been bemusedly scanning the various reactions to Australian Securities & Investments Commission guidelines for the Trustees of super funds to be able to provide advice to their members. In case you missed it, the guide is set out here. The impetus for the change is … Read more

Power, Money and Money and Power

As a bemused bystander to the current global financial turmoil (“GFT”, being a close cousin to the more familiar “GFC” or Global Financial Crisis), have you ever paused to consider just what the very big picture may be telling us about the times we live in? Given that this is a very broad musing, it … Read more

If this is what passes for intelligent discussion – i’m going back to kindergarten…

If you are bored enough of your day-to-day, you may have noticed my previous posting which included the text of a note that i sent to the Crikey online newsletter in an attempt to get some sort of intelligent discussion happening in regards to commissions and fees for superannuation. Well, it seems that when you … Read more