Requirements for scaled and intra-fund advice need to be reviewed to determine whether modification of further guidance is needed to facilitate the provision of comprehensive income products in retirement (CIPRs), according to a committee.
The Committee for Sustainable Retirement Incomes (CSRI) said pre-retirees no later than age 50 would need guidance around CIPRs.
CSRI’s latest policy engagement report said while most retirees preferred to not rely on expensive personal financial planning advice, they needed iterative engagement as they considered when they intended to retire, or transitioned to retirement, and whether to vary their voluntary contributions to achieve their target retirement income.
It said strategies to increase the role of financial advice in relation to retirees managing their super balances included:
CSRI said the challenges for CIPRs were not only about product design but also the obligations of trustees, and protections for trustees, the regulatory retirements for the product offers, and the degree of compulsion on funds to offer them.
“The process will only work well if tax and transfer settings in retirement complement the arrangements for superannuation in the accumulation phase, and are sufficiently stable for the purposes of planning and for decision-making at retirement,” the report said.
“The superannuation funds are the central players in this, but it is vital that the consumer voice is heard and is given first priority. The aim has to be to make our defined contributions based system look much more like a defined benefit scheme.”
Economists from the big four banks have all predicted the RBA to deliver another rate cut during its July meeting; however, some admit the decision will be a close call.
Morningstar believes there is still further to run with the potential takeover of Insignia Financial even with original bidder Bain Capital walking away.
Insignia Financial has announced the status of the two private equity bidders as due diligence comes to an end.
The future of superannuation policy remains uncertain, with further reforms potentially on the horizon as the Albanese government seeks to curb the use of superannuation as a bequest vehicle.