Are advisers able to satisfy client needs for aged care?
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission's (ASIC) survey showed significant demand for aged care planning, bringing into question if advisers were prepared to handle the demands of the specialist area.
According to the ASIC Report 627: Financial Advice: What consumers really think, aged care planning ranked fifth at 18% in fifth place, behind investments (45%), retirement planning (37%), growing superannuation (31%) and cashflow management (22%).
This had put it as a more important topic for consumers than self-managed superannuation funds, debt management, super consolidation and estate planning.
Louise Biti, director at Aged Care Steps, said the report showed advisers needed to pay attention to strategic advice areas, particularly aged care.
“Despite the growing demand for aged care advice, many advisers are still delaying or avoiding putting in place an aged care service offer and consequently increase the risk that they fail to meet their clients’ real needs,” Biti said.
“The ageing demographic, increasing costs of aged care and the Royal Commission into aged care will only underpin a long-term increasing demand for aged care services which is becoming a core component of financial planning advice.”
Recommended for you
The FSCP has announced its latest verdict, suspending an adviser’s registration for failing to comply with his obligations when providing advice to three clients.
Having sold Madison to Infocus earlier this year, Clime has now set up a new financial advice licensee with eight advisers.
With licensees such as Insignia looking to AI for advice efficiencies, they are being urged to write clear AI policies as soon as possible to prevent a “Wild West” of providers being used by their practices.
Iress has revealed the number of clients per adviser that top advice firms serve, as well as how many client meetings they conduct each week.