Chatswood serves the life and health insurance sector in New Zealand with market intelligence, data, and bespoke consulting services. Some of these are provided in conjunction with Quality Product Research Limited - a subsidiary that brings you Quotemonster.
We believe that good decisions are more likely to occur when we have good information about the market environment in which we operate. Intuitive leaps and creative decisions are always required, of course, but the more they are based on a firm foundation of observation, the better they tend to be.
Menopause in the news
Menopause, where oestrogen levels drop and menstruation stops, has been in the news a lot recently. While people are starting to talk about it more, there is still a lack of understanding and even misdiagnosis of symptoms.
Menopause, where oestrogen levels drop and menstruation stops, has been in the news a lot recently. While people are starting to talk about it more, there is still a lack of understanding and even misdiagnosis of symptoms. One survey found a third of respondents waited at least three years for their menopausal symptoms to be correctly diagnosed, and a further 18 per cent visited their doctor six times before they received the help they needed.
While hot flushes may be the symptom most people first think of, brain fog has been found to be more common. Other symptoms can include night sweats, mood swings, joint pain, low energy, memory problems, sleep problems, low mood, low libido, irritability, nervousness, headaches and more.
Dr Lisa Mosconi says “Menopause changes the brain’s structure, functionality, and even its connectivity in fairly unique ways.” Dr Louise Newson even suggests it should be reframed as a neurological condition instead of a gynaecological one.
So what can be done to help improve menopausal symptoms? Eat a mediterranean-style diet filled with whole foods, avoid alcohol, get regular physical exercise, challenge your brain (puzzles, learning a new language or playing a musical instrument are all good), get quality sleep, try stress management techniques such as yoga and mindfulness, discuss hormonal and non-hormonal options with your doctor.
Some workplaces have started to hold workshops to encourage dialogue about menopause, or implement menopause policies. AIA NZ has produced a Menopause toolkit, to help employees understand and support people going through menopause.
More information can be found at The Australasian Menopause Society website.
Asteron Life paid out 97% of claims
Asteron Life paid out 97% of the Trauma, Life and Income Protection claims it received in the year ended June 30 2024.
Asteron Life paid out 97% of the Trauma, Life and Income Protection claims it received in the year ended June 30 2024. In total, Asteron Life paid out $112 million of claims, with $53.5 million being paid out for Life Insurance, $34.1 million in Trauma policy payments and $24.4 million in Monthly Income Protection cover claims.
Accident or Injury was the leading cause of claims, for both Monthly Income cover and Trauma cover. Mental Health claims duration remains high, with an average duration of 8 - 12 months, compared to other new claims where the average duration was around 6 - 8 months. Executive Manager Claims and Customer Solutions, Seema Bangera, said
“Return to work outcomes are directly related to early intervention and rehabilitation. This means the mental wellbeing of customers needs to be at the forefront for claims specialists and we need to ensure all clients have the necessary support building their personal resilience for their return-to-work journeys.”
More news:
Financial Advice NZ masterclass 'The ethics of client psychology: How clients think' 1 April
IOSCO consultation proposes responses to risks posed by ‘finfluencers’
The International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) has proposed a raft of ‘good practice’ measures regulators can use to mitigate risks posed by finfluencers.
Globally, there has been a trend of people turning to social media for advice on making investment decisions. While getting people interested in investing and increasing financial literacy is to be commended, issues arise when finfluencers spread misleading or biased information, promote unsuitable or high-risk products and/or fail to adequately disclose any conflicts of interest.
IOSCO’s Finfluencers consultation report makes a series of recommendations including:
· Updating legal regimes to explicitly police finfluence
· Requiring the use of disclaimers and disclosures to help consumers understand the content they are consuming
· Better-monitor the finfluencer community (e.g. by using data analytics of social media activities) and enforce breaches
· Conducting joint investigations and co-ordinating enforcement actions in the case of cross-border issues
More news:
Steve Wright talks about reducing advice risk
Steve Wright tackled the question of reducing advice risk recently in a Good Returns article.
Steve Wright tackled the question of reducing advice risk recently. He asserts that in light of the largely untested ‘principles-based’ requirements FAPs and advisers must stick to, he’s not surprised that some advisers are experiencing stress. Steve sets outs a range of steps advisers could take for reducing advice risk. A good read if this is something you want to tackle.
More news:
Fidelity Life wins Security Team of the Year at the 2024 iSANZ Awards
Fidelity Life release CPI adjustments for policies renewing from 1 January 2025
Financial Advice NZ webinar 'Economic Insights: Perspectives from leading experts' 28 November
ANZ New Zealand reported a cash NPAT of $2.286 billion for the year ending September 30
Tiffany Koh awarded the 2024 Chubb Life Actuarial Scholarship
Whooping cough epidemic declared across NZ; health authorities urge pregnant women to get immunised
Apex Advice Group and OPM Insurance merge
Apex Advice Group and OPM Insurance have announced their strategic merger.
Apex Advice Group and OPM Insurance have announced their strategic merger. OPM Insurance was founded by Oliver Pereira 17 years ago.
Craig Mulholland, Chief Executive of Apex Advice Group, said
“We are delighted to welcome OPM Insurance into the Apex Advice Group family. This partnership strengthens our position as a leading financial advisory firm and allows us to expand our reach and offerings. We are confident this will benefit our clients and drive continued growth.”
More news:
Pharmac funding new HRT gel to aid Kiwi women with menopause symptoms
AIA launch new campaign offering customers up to three months off their premiums
AIA NZ has launched its latest campaign which offers new and existing customers up to three months off their premiums.
First month free when customers take out a new eligible insurance policy between 18 September and 22 November 2024, and have the policy issued by 23 December 2024.
Second month free when customers add and activate AIA Vitality membership within 6 weeks of the policy being issued.
Third month free when customers reach Silver Status with AIA Vitality within the first 10 months.
Existing AIA Vitality member at Silver Status or beyond who buy a new eligible policy, automatically get three months premium-free on the new policy.
More news:
The Adviser Platform is offering its CRM system free of charge
Kirk Hope has started his appointment as Chief Executive Officer at FSC
Legal experts discuss Select Committee’s endorsement of the Contracts of Insurance Bill
Emma Moran and Rachel Taylor from DLA Piper have commentated on the changes the Select Committee endorsed to the Contracts of Insurance Bill.
“The Committee’s [Finance and Expenditure Committee’s] report on the Bill is good news for brokers because it recognises the often complex role that brokers play.”
Moran highlights that the report on the bill recognises that brokers can have tricky competing duties to their clients and insurers; that it upholds liability caps agreed between insurers and brokers; and allows insurers and brokers to retain existing agreed periods for payment of premiums.
Dentons also has a review of the Contracts of Insurance Bill.
More news:
Jon-Paul Hale discusses issues with income protection structures
The number of NZers affected by asthma or serious lung disease grows by more than 40% in three years
Winners at the 2024 FSC Awards announced
Congratulations to all the winners, finalists and nominees at the 2024 Financial Services Council (FSC) Awards.
Congratulations to all the winners, finalists and nominees at the 2024 Financial Services Council (FSC) Awards. We’re lucky to work in an industry with so many dedicated, innovative people who have a passion for what they do; the awards recognise some of the best and brightest among us.
FSC Acting CEO Haydee Stroud said
“…it was a privilege to be able to see such a diverse range and high calibre of merit. Entrants contributions to the financial services sector and to the wider New Zealand community have all played a part in growing the financial confidence and wellbeing of all New Zealanders.”
Contribution to Community Award – Toi Ora - nib and Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei
Emerging Trailblazer Award – Leigh Bennett, Fidelity Life
Excellence in Governance Award – The Compliance Company
Workplace Savings Award – Bruce Kerr, Professional Trustee
Excellence in Sustainability Practices Award – AIA New Zealand
Excellence in Wellbeing & Inclusion Award – Southern Cross Health Insurance
Team of the Year Award – Operations Team, Sharesies
Chair’s Award for Services to the Industry – Ana-Marie Lockyer: Chief Executive Officer, Pie Funds
More news:
Steve Wright questions why we index life insurance but not health insurance
Financial Services Federation welcome CCCFA reforms
FAMNZ to launch the Adviser Elevate series on 2 October
The FMA plans to review the mortgage advice sector
Report estimates additional value advisers add
ASB wins Excellence in Social Purpose Driven Marketing Strategy at the New Zealand Marketing Awards
ASB sponsor the Climate Change & Business Conference 2024
The FSC release their latest Money & You Report
The FSC have released their latest Money & You Report, ‘Consumer Resilience and the Road to Prosperity’. It paints a picture of New Zealander’s who have struggled with the cost-of-living crisis and are feeling financially pressured to the extent they have changed their spending habits, decreased their savings and have concerns about their ongoing ability to service debt.
The FSC have released their latest Money & You Report, ‘Consumer Resilience and the Road to Prosperity’. In all it paints a picture of New Zealander’s who have struggled with the cost-of-living crisis and are feeling financially pressured to the extent they have changed their spending habits, decreased their savings and have concerns about their ongoing ability to service debt.
Some key findings include:
49% are somewhat or very unconfident in the overall economy (up from 45% in 2023), with women older generations and Europeans more likely to be unconfident in the economy. Those who are receiving financial advice are more positive about the impact of the economic climate.
94% of respondents are concerned about financial issues, with the cost of living cited as respondents’ top financial concern (66% very concerned), followed by inflation (51% very concerned) and house prices (45% very concerned).
Financial pressures have resulted in a change in spending habits, with buying cheaper groceries (57%) and cutting back on takeaways (55%) and treat purchases (49%) the most common changes. Concerningly some New Zealanders have reported skipping meals (17%), limiting heating (24%) and avoiding medical treatment or skipping medication (16%).
31% of New Zealanders were unhappy with their financial situation this year (up from 22% in 2023 and 25% in 2022).
There has been a drop in the number of retirees with more than 10 years of retirement savings, and an increase in those with less than one year of current retirement savings.
82% hold investments, with KiwiSaver the most likely held investment type.
Troubling KiwiSaver trends include average member weekly contributions dropping 7.8% (comparing 2023 to 2021); hardship withdrawals are at an all-time high; the KiwiSaver gender gap continues to increase, now sitting at a $7,450 average balance difference between males and females. Most worryingly, the average KiwiSaver member who has been contributing all their working life may not have enough to support them during retirement, according to Massey University Retirement Expenditure Guidelines.
Those who have struggled to make recent debt payments have been more proactive, with 29% reaching out to their bank (up from 20% in 2023) or speaking to family or friends (38% up from 28%).
Research was conducted via online survey, with 2,002 respondents completing the data during March 2024.
More news:
Chubb Life Chief Executive Gail Costa is to retire in April 2025
Anna Schubert talks through self-development tips for advisers
Tony Vidler suggests how advisers can create compelling offers
Clive Fernandes writes of how AI can help personalise financial advice
‘Inspiring Success’ event takes place on 7 November in Auckland
mySolutions webinar 'SimpleWills and your estate' 11 September
Debate whether it is it time to boost KiwiSaver contributions at FSC pre-conference session
Value For Money report highlights top performing ethical KiwiSaver funds
Lloyd Burr writes about how hard it is to start a new bank in NZ
Inland Revenue is proposing to make fees charged for fund management exempt from GST
Southern Cross release their Healthy Futures Report
Southern Cross have released the Healthy Futures Report 2024, which surveyed 2,000 New Zealanders about their health and wellbeing behaviours.
Southern Cross have released the Healthy Futures Report 2024, which surveyed 2,000 New Zealanders about their health and wellbeing behaviours. Some of the key findings include:
The biggest concerns for New Zealanders were the cost of living (91%); violence in society (86%); not having access to good, affordable healthcare (84%); and affordable housing, mental health and not having access to cancer treatment services all at 82%.
Health professionals remain the main source of health information (64%), followed by online articles/websites (52%), but social media is increasing in popularity with young people and Pasifika people (up 6% to 27%).
A majority of people seek treatment immediately (12%) or within a day or two (47%), though 10% usually don’t seek professional advice or treatment.
The main barriers to accessing healthcare include cost (35%) and wait times being too long (34%). There has been a jump in people not being able to access healthcare at the time they want (up 4% to 20%).
When it comes to dental treatment, the main barriers are cost (60%) and not being covered by medical treatment (13%).
New Zealander’s define ‘healthy’ as mental wellbeing (70%), avoiding smoking and tobacco (70%), getting enough sleep (67%), eating a balanced diet (67%) and emotional wellbeing (66%).
Physical health concerns include level of fitness (65%), making sure kids eat healthy foods (65%), long term physical health effects (65%) and family health and wellbeing (65%).
The average kiwi exercises for 30 minutes, three times a week – 61% don’t feel they are getting enough exercise. Being too tired (33%) and not having enough time (32%) continue to be the main barriers to exercising.
While 92% of kiwis consider themselves knowledgeable about what healthy food is, 82% consider healthy eating to be expensive and 74% would like to lose weight.
·The top emotional wellbeing concerns are concentrated around family, with kiwis concerned about whether their children will cope with the pressures of life (60%), not having enough money to support myself/my family (55%) and parents/relatives getting elderly and needing care (51%).
Only 44% of New Zealanders consider themselves as getting enough sleep, with those living with kids or living with a disability being more sleep deprived than others. Reasons given for not getting enough sleep included having too much to think about (49%), going to bed too late (41%) and being anxious or stressed (40%).
While 88% consider work life balance to be important, only 33% consider they currently have a good balance. Factors kiwis consider as important to achieving a good work/life balance include having flexible working hours (43%), switching off from work when finished for the day (43%) and sticking to set work hours (34%). Conversely, factors contributing to a negative work/life balance include workload being too high (60%), financial pressures (46%) and not having flexible working hours (40%).
Actions New Zealanders are taking to look after their emotional health and wellbeing include keeping your brain stimulated (60%), spending time outdoors (58%), nurturing and maintaining relationships (54%) and spending more time with family (52%).
More news:
AIA revise launch date for Accidental Injury cover
Partners Life New Adviser Training Course on 21 October
Finger-prick blood test developed to detect the hallmark protein in early Alzheimer’s
Te Whatu Ora and West Coast Health propose closing all after hours GP services
Changes announced to the way police respond to mental health call-outs