Australians should be looking at how much financial protection they have in place as spending is set to increasing during the holiday period, TAL Group CEO Jim Minto said.
TAL found the average Australian spent $1,215.30 on Christmas in 2013, while retail sales could increase by 35 per cent.
"TAL research has found that only 37 per cent of people say they have some form of financial protection, even though we expect that figure to be higher because many people may not realise they have some form of life insurance via their superannuation fund," Minto said.
"However many people are willing to go into debt over the festive season."
The Bureau of Health Information said around half a million patients attended NSW emergency departments from October to December 2013.
"And with many health related risks and injuries seen over the festive period it is smart to have financial protection in place to ensure your festive dreams can stay on track," Minto said.
APRA’s latest data has revealed that superannuation funds spent $1.3 billion on advice fees, with the vast majority sent to external financial advisers.
Cbus Super has unveiled Advice Essentials Plus, a new service offering affordable financial advice to both members and their partners.
The fund has launched a new tool to help deliver personalised financial education and digital personal advice to eligible members.
The QAR lead reviewer has told a Senate committee that the government’s demands of super funds conflict with their original purpose.