Our Chief Customer Officer Allyson Lowbridge explains how our super and pension members can now take advantage of our great new secure portal and retirement income simulator, which will totally change the way you think about your super.
Late last year we upgraded our online capability by implementing a great new secure portal for our members. It’s just one more way we’re working to improve our service to you.
I’d really like to encourage you to take a look at your super account using the new member portal. It’s also a great time of year to do a quick check-in on where you’re at with your super, and more importantly where you want to be.
No matter how you choose to view your account – using a desktop computer, your mobile or tablet – it’ll be easy to navigate. Once you login, your dashboard shows a quick view of your account activity (which includes a breakdown of your super contributions) and an estimate of how much income you’ll have in retirement based on your current balance.
There’s also a more streamlined way to update your investment strategy, personal details, beneficiaries and insurance. You’ll also have:
- Control: You can consolidate your super in minutes and then see your total balance.
- Choice: You can easily see your investment options and if needed, change where you invest your money.
- Impact: You now have easier access than ever to understand how to manage your wealth in one place.
Since that’s the point of it all… your retirement
Let’s face it – your super, and indeed your retirement, is sometimes the last thing you want to think about.
Retirement can feel pretty far off for some people. You might be thinking more about managing your small business, finding more freelance work, paying the bills (like your mortgage or school fees), or organising that next (well-deserved) holiday. Perhaps you’re thinking about starting a family and want to take time off to care for your little ones. Or, maybe, like me, you’re busy being sandwiched between raising teenagers and wondering how to help your parents (who are ageing ‘like a fine wine’) move into a new phase in their life.
Or indeed, retirement for you might be so close that the thought sparks some anxiety about how prepared you actually are.
Whatever your scenario, it’s probably worth taking the time now to do a bit of a sense check. To look retirement in the eyes – even for just a short burst – to review your savings and see if they match up with your hopes and plans for the future.
Take a look at ‘Crush’, the retirement income simulator turtle
Now that I’ve got your attention… there is an easy and I’d like to think pretty fun way to make these investigations simple. Our new retirement income simulator helps you factor in a range of scenarios that could apply to you.
Just go to supercalcs.com.au/ris9/australianethical and you’ll be greeted by a chill-looking turtle (who we nicknamed ‘Crush’ after the sea turle from Finding Nemo); a great symbol to help you plan for the future in a slow and steady, yet very cool way.
All you have to do is plug in a few numbers and the charts will estimate your income for retirement. The simulator goes even further by helping you plan for new or unexpected scenarios, such as what a career change and a change to your income would do to your end balance. You can then have an insight into whether a decision like jumping off the corporate hamster wheel and becoming a yoga instructor – one can dream – is a good idea. And maybe you’ll choose to make your dreams a reality.
Want more?
Take a look at the new secure member portal, play around with the retirement income simulator, and consider your options for your super and your future retirement. And if you have any questions at all, we’re here to help. Just call us on 1300 134 337 or email us at members@australianethical.com.au
