Study gives evidence of value-add from TPA over SAA

The funds that take a total portfolio approach added 1.8 per cent per annum over 10 years above those that use strategic asset allocation, according to a recent Thinking Ahead Institute study of 26 asset owners, including the Future Fund. And the systems-thinking TPA approach, with the benefits of dynamism and joined-upness, will help asset owners in an environment of increasing complexity according to the report’s author, Roger Urwin.

Prevention better than cure in improving members’ insurance outcomes

The insurance industry has found success in shifting from just paying claims to rehabilitation programs that get as many people back to work as possible. Now its attention is turning to prevention program and reducing the incidence of insurance claims in the first place.

Shadow minister strikes conciliatory tone on industry super funds

Just one week after Coalition Senator Andrew Bragg questioned the compulsory, default settings of the superannuation system, Shadow Minister for Financial Services Luke Howarth has used an industry event to express support for both compulsion and for profit-to-member funds.

Tapping the human brain to improve insurance for members

Rapid advances in neuroscience and artificial intelligence are converging to present clear opportunities to reimagine how life insurance is designed and delivered to fund members. As well as offering the prospect of better treatment and management of illnesses, insurers are entering an era of more personalised cover and communications.

Coalition criticism ‘healthy’ for super and insurance

Insurance and superannuation executives have warned the industry to not be so quick to dismiss group insurance criticism such as that from Coalition Senator Andrew Bragg, despite the often provocative language, but to treat it as a chance for a reality check.

Spirit Super takes CareSuper name in fund marriage

Spirit Super will forgo its brand name but retain elements of its fund logo under its marriage to CareSuper in what was described as a “true merger of equals”. As the two funds look to officially merge from 1 November, the unified entity will retain CareSuper’s name due to “strong brand recognition”, notwithstanding Spirit Super’s larger assets under management.

‘Qualified advisers’ could lift funds’ claims handling capabilities

Australian Retirement Trust and UniSuper said “qualified advisers” – a second-tier of financial advice proposed in the QAR – have much to offer on the group insurance front by helping trustees deal with insurance claims quicker and with more personal member care.

Bragg lays out existential threat to ‘junk’ group insurance sector

Superannuation and life insurance industry executives have hit back at Coalition Senator Andrew Bragg’s characterisation of group insurance as “junk insurance” that provides a “false safety net” for members.