Shaky finances have Australians feeling vulnerable
More than 60 per cent of Australians between 31 and 40 years of age are feeling financially vulnerable, according to a new survey by financial planning group Ipac.
But only one third of the 800 people surveyed were taking active steps, beyond meeting minimum mortgage payments, to achieve financial security.
Ipac chief executive Peeyush Gupta said people described financial security as being financially independent. They ranked this as the third most important goal in their lives, after family and health.
“While money can’t buy you happiness, it is an enabler to achieve what matters in your life,” he said.
The most financially insecure were the “mortgage generation”, which Ipac describes as the group between 31 and 40-years-old. One in three in this age group said they would be in trouble if interest rates rose by more than 1 per cent.
The survey also looked at high-income earners — those earning above $100,000 a year. Among this group, 30 per cent felt financially insecure.
The main reason for this insecurity was the fear of redundancy.
“Australians are not prepared for the unexpected events that are much more common in 21st century life,” Gupta said.
“These events knock the feeling of financial security for six.”
Recommended for you
There could be changes ahead for how ASIC requires licensees to handle conflicts of interest as the corporate regulator announces it will be meeting key stakeholders next year to update guidance.
Proper recordkeeping has been described as the “mortar between the bricks” of the advice process and critical to an FSCP decision as an adviser is suspended for failures in this area.
As investors increasingly seek to embed ESG considerations in their portfolios, a specialist adviser has offered tips for financial planners who may feel overwhelmed in tackling these complex topics with clients.
Global investment consultancy bfinance is expanding into offering services for wealth managers as they seek advanced investment strategies for their clients.