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Hostplus bolsters advice offering with new digital tool
Hostplus has announced the launch of a new education-led digital tool called SuperSmart as a new “one-stop shop” for members looking for advice or to boost their superannuation knowledge.
According to Maurizio Lombardi, head of financial planning and advice at the fund, SuperSmart uplifts Hostplus’ offerings with the new user-friendly, fully integrated, self-guided platform.
“The launch of SuperSmart marks a pivotal moment in our commitment to enhancing financial education and advice solutions for our members,” Lombardi said.
The tool helps members engage with “bite-sized” education modules, he said, offering self-paced, tailored learning in a fun and interactive way.
It also includes intuitive features like an interactive risk profiler to assist members in optimising their super and plan for retirement, Lombardi said.
“SuperSmart is truly a one-stop shop for members looking to uplift their super knowledge or seek advice, all seamlessly integrated to match their individual goals and preferences,” he said.
The tool has been launched in collaboration with leading licensee and advice services provider Industry Fund Services (IFS) and financial services software provider Iress.
Commenting on the offering, Iress executive general manager – wealth, Kelli Willmer, said that SuperSmart was created to support the industry to solve the advice gap.
“Research shows that around 11.8 million Australians have unmet advice needs,” Willmer said.
“The ability to access digital advice through your super fund provides an alternative and complementary channel to the ways financial advice has been delivered traditionally helping to meet the advice needs of more Australians.”
Individuals with simple advice needs have typically struggled with access to financial advice due to cost barriers or lack of self-guided and engaging online advice tools in the market, she said.
“SuperSmart tackles this by combining Iress’ financial education offering with digital personal advice powered by Xplan and integrating it directly into registry software, providing a unique capability to deliver personalised member education and advice at scale,” Willmer said.
Adrian Gervasoni, IFS chief commercial and partnerships officer, also highlighted the impact of financial advice towards supporting members’ retirement outcomes.
“IFS is proud to partner with Hostplus to deliver SuperSmart as part of their enhanced advice operating model, which aims to support Hostplus members to understand and navigate key decisions around their retirement savings,” Gervasoni said.
“The ability to deliver personalised education and personal advice to eligible members at scale through the innovative SuperSmart tool is a game-changer for Hostplus and potentially for the broader superannuation industry.”
The SuperSmart platform is exclusive to Hostplus members and available now via Hostplus Member Online.
AUTHOR
Rhea Nath
Rhea L Nath is a journalist on Super Review and InvestorDaily, with a focus on funds management, superannuation, and institutional investment. Previously, she covered small business and entrepreneurship news at Dynamic Business and multicultural issues at Indian Link Media Group. In 2022, she was named Young Journalist of the Year at the NSW Premier’s Multicultural Communications Awards.
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