AMP Limited has announced it will be divesting its Australian and New Zealand wealth protection and mature businesses and reinsure New Zealand retail wealth protection for $3.45 billion.
The company announced to the Australian Securities Exchange today that it would exit its Australian and New Zealand wealth protection and mature businesses via sale to Resolution Life and that it had entered a binding agreement with Swiss Re to reinsure New Zealand retail wealth protection, releasing additional capital of up to $150 million to AMP prior to completion of sale.
It said that it intended to seek divestment of the New Zealand wealth management and advice businesses via an initial public offering next year.
Commenting on the move, AMP acting chief executive, Mike Wilkins said the moves followed completion of a portfolio review.
He said that for shareholders, the agreement with Resolution Life and AMP’s exit from wealth protection and mature delivered important strategic benefits and substantially simplified AMP’s portfolio.
Superannuation associations are in regular discussion with the Financial Advice Association Australia on the progression of the Delivering Better Financial Outcomes legislation with the second tranche of reforms focused on super.
The Financial Services Council has urged the government to reform the Compensation Scheme of Last Resort amid rising levy projections.
The super fund has launched Retirement Manager, a digital advice tool helping members plan income, spending, and retirement confidence with integrated support.
APRA has warned retail super trustees that financial adviser involvement in recommending platform products does not diminish their obligations, as regulators turned the spotlight on the Shield Master Fund and First Guardian Master Fund during a meeting with fund CEOs.