Jump to Content

Media Release

April 16 2009

Superannuation strategies for tough times

The recent economic climate has played havoc with many investors' retirement funds.Three leading finance professionals will discuss superannuation strategies for tough times at a free seminar at UniSA next week.

Nearly 200 people have already registered for the seminar which will be held on Friday 24 April from 2pm to 4pm, in the Barbara Hanrahan Building at UniSA’s City West Campus.

Seminar organiser and Successful Ageing coordinator Libbi Langford said for many Australians, the recent economic climate had played havoc with their retirement funds, causing great concern for the future.

“As Australia’s population ages, the predicament of building and maintaining a lifestyle for retirement becomes an even greater focus for our society,” Ms Langford said. “This UniSA seminar will explore how the falling global financial markets, a fluctuating Australian dollar and an economic recession have impacted on investors seeking to utilise their super to finance their retirement lifestyle.”

Keynote speaker is Carmel McKenzie from AXA Australia, who will present an overview of the current and expected state of global and local investment markets for current or near retirees and how to handle investment risk in these uncertain times.

“Planning for and achieving financial security in retirement is one of the most significant milestones we each face,” she said. “Discover how the recent share market setbacks can create investment opportunities you can use as a springboard. This seminar will examine the prospects for economic and investment recovery, followed by strategies that may assist you to be on the ground floor when markets recover.”

AXA Australia’s Andrew Martin will provide some practical strategies as well as some tips and traps for making the most of superannuation.

Joining the AXA Australia team as guest speaker will be UniSA Program Director at the School of Commerce Peter Lennox. Mr Lennox will discuss some of the practical aspects of his financial literacy research into the role of superannuation as a central component of Australia’s retirement incomes policy and the decision-making outcomes of superannuation choices by the fund member.

Ms Langford said she expected strong interest in the seminar, which is being sponsored by Silverstream Financial Solutions.

“The pressure to generate a sizable superannuation fund is immense,” Ms Langford said. “The cost of maintaining an existing lifestyle for an indefinite number of years can be a daunting challenge. We’re hoping the seminar will provide invaluable tips on how to plan more effectively in the coming year.”

South Australia has the highest median age in Australia, with projections of 16.2 per cent of the population being 65 or over by 2011. The topics presented at UniSA’s Successful Ageing seminars in 2009 reflect community demands for up-to-date information on matters concerning an ageing population. Ms Langford says the aim of the seminar series is two-fold – to contribute to the University’s charter for community involvement and to ensure the results and insights from UniSA research are delivered first hand into the wider community.

The Successful Ageing series of seminars have been conducted annually since 1997. This is the first of four seminars for 2009. Seats are limited and registrations are essential. For seminar bookings or more information please contact Libbi Langford, Successful Ageing coordinator, UniSA, office (08) 8302 0964 email libbi.langford@unisa.edu.au
 


Social bookmarking
Digg Digg It Reddit Reddit Delicious Delicious Stumble It Stumble It! NewsvineSeed Newsvine

Media contact

 

top^