Super Adviser is now available exclusively to HOSTPLUS members, delivering intra-fund advice via a secure and user-friendly online approach. The self-service web tool allows members to access a statement of advice as and when they choose and without the need to actually sit down with a planner.
Super Adviser then provides members with a personalised superannuation plan for their investment in the Fund, with information on investments, insurance and superannuation strategies.
HOSTPLUS Chief Executive Officer, David Elia said Super Adviser had been designed to meet growing member demand for a more personalised and convenient online tool.
“A lot of our members don’t realise that by asking simple questions they are actually seeking advice. Yet many people feel it is too much time and effort to sit down in front of a financialplanner. With this tool members can explore and experiment, and even save their plan and return to it at a later stage while they take their time and think about their needs,” Mr Elia said.
“HOSTPLUS fields approximately 1,700 telephone calls a day and experiences more than 30,000 visits each week to the website. So we’re in an ongoing dialogue with our members and with close to one million members spread across the country, adopting an online model that is free to the user allows us to provide even more access to superannuation advice – no matter where our members are or how much money they have in their account.”
Mr Elia said Super Adviser will complement the Fund’s existing education and advice services, including a network of financial planners the Fund’s members have access to around the country. “Getting member engagement with superannuation is always difficult. Providing this level of simple advice will help towards increasing this engagement,” said Mr Elia.
Within the superannuation industry, an increasing number of funds are turning to the internet as a way of improving the quality and speed of service. Demands for personalised online experiences mean superannuation funds need to give members online access to their accounts while ensuring the protection of the information and privacy of both members, and employers.
Recognising this, HOSTPLUS has built several security mechanisms into the Super Adviser model, including authentication codes, automatic timeouts and utilisation of SSL encryption for all data.