Cover story
Outsourcing is on the rise and, although it can save time and money, there may be costly traps for the unwary, Zoë Fielding writes. » Read the full article
Upfront
It would be nice to be able to write about something a little more positive than the continuing troubles in investment markets. But there's not a lot of good news around. Zoë Fielding writes. » Read the full article
What’s made the headlines
Genesys sheds more advisers | Time of
change | Aviva may merge dealers | Aon shrinks list of providers | Dealer changes tilt | Sour grapes for Palandri investors | Selective St George hand-picks advisers | Planners rue PI shortfall
Influential: A common voice
Adviser associations are gaining clout and fl exing their muscles to secure better deals and
support for fi nancial planners and for their clients, AMP’s Greg Welsh tells Madeleine Koo.
In practice: More to offer
RetireCare is reinventing itself as a suburban-style KPMG or Ernst & Young,
offering advice and accountancy for mature clients, Tanya Powley writes.
Indepth
Turmoil prompts some retirees to demand products that ensure limits to their losses, but planners don't always agree that they need them, Madeleine Koo reports. » Read the full article
Multi-Manager Funds: Flight to safety
Diversification can offer investors protection, but it has to be done the right way if it is to provide shelter during market downturns. Zoë Fielding learns how managers are finetuning their skills.
International : Branching out
The increasing valuation of independent planning practices in the United States is spurring advisers towards setting up their own shops. Matthew Smith reports.
Inflows
Before taking on a new business or hiring a staff member, it's essential to ensure you're all singing from the same sheet, Zoë Fielding writes. » Read the full article
Technical strategies: Install with caution
There is still uncertainty about the costs of borrowing by self-managed super funds,so it’s wise to stick with a conservative style for now, Madeleine Koo writes.
Wholesale fund guide: Bounce back
Energy and health-care stocks led a welcome rise in the local exchange in August.
Fund focus: Continent of diversity
There are more possibilities for differences between Asian share funds than you might imagine, as a comparison of products from Aberdeen and Treasury Asia Asset Management shows.
Books: More food for thought
Come to grips with the basics of running your own super fund, learn what it takes to boost the next generation’s creativity and discover how to achieve financial independence through property.
Insight
With no market certainties ahead, the main concern for baby boomers already retired or just moving into that phase will be preserving capital, Barrie Dunstan writes. » Read the full article
Investment specialist: It’s a complicated exchange
As interest rates fall, growth slows and the Australian dollar retreats from historic highs, it’s time to review the impact of currency exposure on investment portfolios, Mark Dutton writes.
Now that the Australian Taxation Office is up to speed on self-managed super, trustees can expect to feel more regulatory heat and less time allowance to get things right, Graeme Colley writes. » Read the full article
The Auditor: Super-sized challenge
A recent survey of CEOs has identifi ed investment guarantees as a very welcome innovation for retirees. Given the plunging values of assets, it’s not surprising, Peter van Dongen writes.
Legal brief: A lapse in trusteeship
Professional super fund administrators are growing lazy, leaving deceased members’ dependantsconfused or, worse yet, forced to bear the consequences of their failures, Peter Bobbin writes.
Profit plus: March with the right allies
In tough economic times, advisers who set up alliances with other professionals can meet the challenge of fi nding and retaining high-quality clients, and John Bowen write.
The actuary: Covered for life
Insurers can now provide guaranteed lifetime support via a range of products that take market fl uctuations and clients’ increasing longevity into account, Richard Weatherhead writes.