FS Advice

Are you in the business of ethics?

BRYAN ASHENDEN   It has been over two years since it became mandatory for all Australian financial advisers to adhere to the Financial Planners and Advisers Code of Ethics 2019, better known as the Financial Adviser Standards and Ethics Authority (FASEA) Code of Ethics (Code).

Where are all the women?

YOLANDA BEATTIE   In 2016 when Lady Quentin Bryce walked into the Fund Manager of the Year awards, she turned to a leading female portfolio manager and asked, "where are all the women?".

High inflation and renewed interest in commodities

MIKE PONIKIEWICZ, THOMAS DOBLER, SETH WEINGRAM   Oil prices have surged as a result of the world's emergence from COVID and the war in Ukraine. Certain other commodities, including industrial metals like nickel, have also experienced dramatic price increases. But do such allocations make for a ready and effective inflation hedge? If not, is there a better way to obtain inflation protection and, more broadly, to improve portfolio risk-adjusted returns with commodities?

Gold versus bitcoin

JORDAN ELISEO   Few asset classes have generated more buzz in the last decade than bitcoin.

Navigating the new income protection landscape

DAMIAN REVELL   With the new income protection (IP) product requirements that came into effect from 1 October 2021, there are key considerations that may affect the approach advisers choose to take.

Bankruptcy, life insurance and superannuation

ALEX KOODRIN   If your client base includes business owners, chances are you have turned your mind to what might happen to their superannuation and proceeds from life insurance policies should their circumstances drastically change, and they become bankrupt.

The rise of intelligent document processing

SCOTT BREWSTER   Intelligent document processing is a game-changer for industries like financial services, which is struggling with an increasing volume of large and complex documents requiring action. Here's all the reasons it should be adopted now.

Blockchain bricks and crypto cathedrals

SARAH ARCHER   There is a saying in improv: 'Bring a brick, not a cathedral'. While improv and the world of cryptocurrency are not readily comparable, the saying is a good reminder that you do not need to 'know it all' to participate in the crypto conversation.

Super opportunities for 2022/23

MANSI DESAI   Although the Federal Budget did not bring in any noteworthy superannuation changes except for the extension of the halved minimum drawdown rates, recent changes relating to the work test and contribution rules have been quite significant, especially for clients aged 67 to 74. This paper provides a recap of all the recent superannuation changes that open a range of opportunities for your clients.

Strategies to manage TPD payments through super

MARK GLEESON   As many advisers do not provide advice on managing total and permanent disablement (TPD) payments on a frequent basis, this paper provides a refresher to help them ensure their knowledge is up to date. Further, it explores lump sum payments, income streams and other options to maximise social security ...

Specialist insights on aged care advice

RAHUL SINGH   When looking at aged care advice from an adviser's perspective, we find that there are some common themes of interest. This paper offers insights from three experienced aged care advice professionals from different areas in the country who provide their thoughts on aged care advice.

Guide to granny flat interests

RAHUL SINGH   There are a number of accommodation options for older people who require assistance and may not want to live by themselves.

Death and (inheritance) taxes

JUSTON JIRWANDER   "Where there is a Will, there is an inheritance tax" said Silvio Berlusconi, erstwhile Italian prime minister. So it is no surprise that Italy, along with many of its European neighbours, has both a gift tax and an inheritance tax.

What you should be aware of this tax season

KMT PARTNERS   With the end of financial year 2022 just around the corner, there are some key updates that you should be aware of for this tax season. After some two years of leniency, the ATO is ramping up its debt collection activities.

ASIC puts finfluencers on notice

MATT DALEY, AVI KUMAR   ASIC has published Information Sheet 269 Discussing financial products and services online (Information Sheet 269), flagging three key areas social media influencers and AFS licence holders who use influencers need to be aware of.

How should trustees address the Retirement Income Covenant?

KATRINA BACON, CECILIA STORNIOLO   As Australia's population ages, there is a greater need for superannuation funds to address the needs of the retired and retiring population. According to APRA's Annual Fund Bulletin, in June 2020, excluding SMSFs, 10% of account holders were aged 65 and over and approximately one-third of superannuation assets were in pension phase.

Helping the kids to buy property: Understanding co-ownership arrangements

BRIAN HOR   With soaring house prices in all Australian capital cities and many popular regional areas, more young people than ever are requiring support to enter the property market. The 'bank of mum and dad' has never been more popular as a way to help kids get their first step onto the property market ladder, whether to buy a first home to live in or a first real estate investment. This paper looks at various options by which parents can assist their children and what should be considered in each case.

When is a spouse not a spouse?

MICHAEL MILLER   Most people might assume that if you are married to somebody, you are a member of a couple. However, for social security purposes, the definition can be much more complex.

Australian families' experience of financial stress

BILL TSOUVALAS   The COVID-19 pandemic and government response to it has been hard on many Australian families. In the early days of the pandemic, when governments across the globe were shutting down offices and venues where many people gather, there was much uncertainty.

How advisers can obtain genuine client feedback

SIMON RUSSELL   While most would agree that getting good client feedback is desirable, it can be difficult for a financial adviser to know what their clients actually think.