Perpetual – ASX-listed, Independent and Diversified Financial Services Company

The formation of the Perpetual Trustee Company Limited took place in September 1886.

It now ranks amongst the top independent wealth managers in Australia, functioning as an expert adviser to high net worth businesses, individuals and families. It is also a leading provider of trustee services.

As of December 2014, it had $545.1 billion in funds under administration, $31.8 billion in funds under management (FUM) and $12.6 billion in funds under advice.

Perpetual Superannuation Limited is a member of the Perpetual Limited Group of Companies. It has a Registrable Superannuation Entity (RSE) license issued by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA).

About it: Perpetual

Perpetual is an Australian Securities Exchange (ASX)-listed financial services company that focuses on protecting and growing its client’s wreath through its three businesses - Perpetual Investments, Perpetual Private and Perpetual Corporate Trust.

It offers investors expertise across four important asset classes. These include Australian equities; international equities; multi asset strategies; and cash, credit and fixed income. You can access these options through pooled funds or tailored alternatives.

In recent times, Perpetual has invested considerably in technology and finance sectors. Since the Perpetual Global Share Fund’s inception in January 2011, these two realms have been important drivers of returns. Some the names it has invested in include Google, eBay, Zhaopin, Nasdaq, Wells Fargo and Deutsche Boerse.

While it can help you plan for retirement through a super fund, it can also take you through your retired years with a pension account.

The online banking platform for Perpetual

As an investor in a Perpetual super fund or pension account, you get access to its secure online platform for free. You can use this system to modify your investment options, change personal details, add details of beneficiaries, view your account balance and review transaction history.

What super funds are offered by Perpetual?

If you’re thinking about opening a super fund account with Perpetual, you get to choose from three different plans.

• Perpetual WealthFocus Super Plan. This plan lets you select from 60 investment options spread across major asset classes such as Australian and international shares, fixed income, property, diversified investment options and cash. You benefit through the diversification that comes from multiple asset classes and different investment strategies. You get online access to your account. You can invest via direct debit or BPAY. This plan comes with dollar cost averaging and auto-rebalancing. You need a minimum initial investment of $3,000. Personal insurance is available within your super as an optional extra for salary continuance, total and permanent disablement (TPD) only, death only, and death and TPD.
• Perpetual Select Super Plan. This plan is ideal for employers, employees and self-employed individuals who are looking for easy-to-manage super funds. You can choose from an array of investment options in accordance to your objectives. Through this plan, Perpetual lets you match your objectives with one or more of its options to create a super portfolio. It gives you the ability to choose from six multi-asset class and seven single-asset class options. Multiple investment managers and different styles aim to improve the consistency of returns through varied market cycles. Getting insurance cover is optional. The minimum you need to go with this plan is $3,000.
• Perpetual Private Super Wrap. This accumulation super solution lets you manage multiple investments, while you benefit through centralised cash flow management and reporting. You can get different kinds of insurance covers as optional extras. Features such as reversionary pension nominations, child pensions and non-lapsing death benefit nominations aim to simplify estate planning. If you’re an Australian resident and have retirement savings in the UK, you can consider transferring funds from there to this plan.

What pension accounts are offered by Perpetual?

Perpetual provides two options when it comes to pension accounts.

• Perpetual WealthFocus Pension Plan. This plan is ideal for people who are looking at getting regular income after retirement. You get to choose the frequency of payments as per your requirements, which you can change at any time. You get to choose the payment amount as well, provided it is higher than the minimum limit set forth by the government. This plan lets you make lump sum withdrawals. If you’re over 60 years of age, your pension payments should typically not attract any tax. When it comes to investing the money in your account, you get to choose from more than 60 major asset classes. This gives you the ability to benefit through diversification.
• Perpetual Select Pension Plan. This plan is for retirees looking at a regular source of post-retirement income, giving them the ability to choose payment frequency and amounts in accordance to applicable laws. Normally, pension payments to individuals over 60 years of age don’t attract any tax. When investing your retirement money you can choose from 10 multi-manager investment options, which include multi-asset class and single-asset class options.

The application process for Perpetual retirement accounts

Start the process by downloading an application from the Perpetual website. Once you complete it, you can drop it at the Perpetual office in Sydney or send it across via mail. You can open a Perpetual super fund account at different stages of your career:

• Upon joining the workforce.
• When you switch jobs.
• When you start making plans for retirement.

To apply, you have to meet some basic eligibility criteria:

• You are a resident of Australia.
• You have a tax file number (TFN).
• You meet the minimum investment amount requirement.

You can make your initial investment via cheque or direct debit. If you make a payment via direct debit include its details in the “payment details - initial contribution” section of your application form.

You may have to complete and submit some other forms, which include:

• Insurance application form.
• Nomination of beneficiary form.
• Transfer authority form.

After your account is open and you get access to the Perpetual online platform, you can login and make changes to your personal details, details of beneficiaries and investment options.

Turning to Perpetual to open a new superannuation account can work in your favour. However, since other super providers have similar offerings in place, compare a few before applying.