Independent financial advice has been topical in recent years and is likely to become even more so, thanks to the Royal Commission. The key word here is ‘independent’. So, what does it mean in the context of financial advice? DefinitionIndependent financial advice can be defined broadly as advice that is impartial, ... Read more
Find an Australian independent financial adviser
Note: You can learn more about the importance of independent financial advice in the SuperGuide article: Independent financial advice: Why it’s important, and how to find it. SuperGuide has been tracking Australia’s independent financial advisers since 2010. We have always recognised that ... Read more
Independent Financial Adviser Declaration
SuperGuide began tracking Australia’s independent financial advisers in 2010. We have always recognised that financial advice can add significant value to an individual or couple’s retirement plans, so long as it is truly independent, free from conflicts, and in the best interests of the clients. The majority of ... Read more
What makes a financial adviser independent?
Just because a financial planner’s business card doesn’t display the logo of a bank or insurance company doesn’t mean he or she is independent. Five years ago 40,000 people were surveyed by Roy Morgan Research on the perceived independence of their financial planner. It turns out that a disturbing number are totally ... Read more
Financial advice: What are the risks and benefits?
Financial advisers are supposed to act in the best interests of their clients. That’s not a vain hope or fluffy belief, it’s enshrined in law. But confidence in financial advisers has been rocked lately by a series of financial scandals and instances of serious misconduct unearthed by the Hayne Royal Commission. Most ... Read more
Royal Commission: 10 recommendations for financial advice
The government today released the Final Report into the Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking, Superannuation and Financial Services Industry. Below are the 10 recommendations concerning financial advice. See also the Royal Commission's 9 recommendations for superannuation. Ongoing fee ... Read more
What are the different types of financial advice available?
After the major shake-up of the super system in July 2017, Australians saving for their retirement, or now in retirement, face a revised set of rules when it comes to their super contributions and super pensions. Unfortunately, the new rules have not made things easier to understand and many of us still need financial ... Read more