government

Superannuation

Rebuilding retirement savings during tough times

Rachel Leong considers ways clients can help their super balances recover....

Financial planning

In the wake of the global financial crisis, the belief that alternative investments offered a safe haven from the tumult of the markets has been shaken, and questions are...

Financial planning

Making somebody else’s hindsight your foresight

Paul Resnik and Dan Ratner share their different industry experiences to present this insight into the future of financial planning....

Financial planning

Bonfire of the bonuses

Salary freezes and reductions, job cuts and drawn-out recruitment processes: challenging times lie ahead, but the diversity of the financial services sector means a varie...

Financial planning

Remuneration and risk under microscope

Government moves to stamp out risky investment behaviour will lead to greater scrutiny of remuneration in the financial services sector, particularly at the executive lev...

Financial planning

Advice firms should not count on Government review of employee share plans

A number of financial services companies, including advice firms, could have to review their employee share options for next year in line with the Federal Budget provisio...

Life/Risk

Indemnity insurance issues in NZ

A High Court decision in NZ has raised questions about the value of professional indemnity insurance for planners....

Financial planning

Short-selling ban finally lifted

After nearly nine months, ASIC has lifted the short-selling ban but has warned that it will reimpose it immediately if market circumstances dictate....

Editorial

Uncertainty is the only certainty

The Rudd Government’s second Budget could have been much tougher than it ultimately proved to be, writes Mike Taylor....

Financial planning

Less may be more for account-based pension recipients

John Perri considers what the temporary reduction in minimum income payments for account-based pensions means for your clients....

Superannuation

Work harder for longer: Gov’t outlines its prescription for retirement income reform

There were some hidden messages in the Rudd Government’s second Budget, not least of which was a clear signal that lifting the superannuation guarantee is off the agenda ...

Financial planning

Concerns as more power goes to regulators

Two major life insurers have expressed concerns over proposed Federal Government legislation that gives extensive additional powers to the Australian Prudential Regulatio...

Financial planning

ATO to target 'phoenix' arrangements

Additional funding from the 2009 Federal Budget will be used to target companies that phoenix in order to avoid meeting their employees' superannuation requirements, the ...

Financial planning

Speculation grows around possible BOQ, Suncorp banking merger

The Bank of Queensland has for some time been assessing possible merger opportunities, while Suncorp has also been on the market over the past year. A merger of the two g...

Accounting

Sherry confirms accountant licensing back on agenda

The Minister for Superannuation and Corporate Law, Senator Nick Sherry, canvasses a level-playing field when it comes to licensing accountants and financial planners....