QSuper to support Royal Flying Doctor Service
The Royal Flying Doctor Service (Queensland section) (RFDS) Flight Nurses will be supported by QSuper to continue providing vital health care to QSuper members, and all Queenslanders in regional and remote communities.
As part of this new partnership, QSuper will be sponsoring nominated RFDS Flight Nurses to attend the internationally recognised STAR program, which delivers all the essential aspects of aeromedical retrieval.
“QSuper’s investment in our Flight Nurse training and their continued professional development is paramount to the continued success of our organisation,” said RFDS (Queensland Section) CEO, Meredith Staib.
Staib noted in a 12-month period, RFDS Flight Nurses deliver care to patients on more than 11,000 aeromedical retrieval missions. 75 per cent of these taskings are “Nurse only” flights, where they must be prepared to handle any eventuality that may occur at 15,000 ft.
Viridian Financial Group acquires part of Westpac’s BT Financial Advice business
Viridian has entered into an agreement to acquire part of Westpac’s BT Financial Advice business.
As part of the transaction, Viridian will also offer BT Group Licensees practices, currently operating under the Securitor and Magnitude brands, the opportunity to join a Viridian owned licensee advice model operating under an Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL) being established. Viridian also intends to acquire the Securitor and Magnitude brands under its new model, subject to finalising terms with Westpac.
The purchase agreement results in the transfer to Viridian of part of the BT Financial Advice business and some of BT Financial Group’s financial advisers and support staff. Viridian will have national adviser presence through both an employee adviser channel and a licensing model for separately run advisory firms.
The BT Financial Advice advisers, support staff and clients who agree to the transition are expected to transfer to Viridian on the anticipated completion date 30 June 2019. BTGL practices that accept the Viridian licensing model will also be able to commence transferring to the newly established AFSL at a later date.
AMP monthly data is super interesting
According to AMP’s technical superannuation adviser support team, accessing super and understanding the conditions for release was the key issue financial advisers helped their clients with last month.
Data from more than 2000 calls made by advisers in February showed a spike in queries about early access to super.
Other key issues being raised by financial advisors in February included:
- how much can be contributed to super through non-concessional contributions
- how transition to retirement pensions work
- understanding how the superannuation death benefit works
- understanding how total and permanent disability insurance works within superannuation.
MetLife panel discusses mental health
Speaking at the MetLife Panel Discussion on Mental Health in the Workplace in Melbourne, Margo Lydon, SuperFriend CEO said: “Insurers and super funds are seeing more and more mental health claims, but they mustn’t overlook the wellbeing of their own people. With a quarter suffering high stress and a third concerned about job security, financial services workers are a vulnerable group.”
Mark Raberger, MetLife chief claims officer and panel facilitator said that for claims assessors particularly, it can be stressful helping a customer through this difficult time, which is why training for these employees is so important – both in terms of providing a caring experience for customers, as well as protecting their own mental wellbeing.
Raberger also said: “At MetLife, we’ve seen a substantial increase in Mental Health claims, with 25 per cent of our income protection and 21 per cent of our total and permanent disability claims having a primary mental health-related cause. This has effectively doubled over the past six years and it is likely to continue to increase if we don’t take action.”
Lydon also said, “Financial services organisations need to apply best practice to their workplaces if they have any hope of supporting their customers. Look at your policies, capabilities, leadership, culture and connectedness, and think about if they are truly giving your people what they need.”
ASFA & National Rural Women’s Coalition Ltd (NRWC) Superannuation Simplified Webinar
ASFA Learning is conducting a lunchtime learning webinar on the 10th April 2019 for the NRWC, a national not for profit organisation that seeks to connect rural, regional and remote (RRR) women with government and policy makers. The webinar will provide attendees with the knowledge and skills to understand and effectively manage their superannuation. ASFA is proud to support the NRWC in their work towards:
- greater participation of women in the workforce
- positive life-long economic security for women
- reduction of domestic violence.
To find out more visit www.nrwc.com.au
