Your advice options
Super doesn’t have to be complicated, and we’re here to keep it simple for you. We make sure you have easy access to the information you need, so you can make confident decisions about your super and retirement.
Our Advice team can help you understand your options and offers different levels of guidance depending on what you need.
Planning ahead is key, and we’re here to help make sure your vision of retirement goes smoothly. Making the time to get advice as you approach retirement can make a real difference to your financial future.
Our Coordinators, Front Counter Consultants, Advice Consultants and online chat representatives are all here to guide you. They can provide information and general financial advice about your CBUS account and our super products, such as how to nominate beneficiaries, our insurance in super options, and how to change investment options. But what about when you need more support and guidance?
At CBUS, we are committed to providing the advice you need, when you need it and we will help you understand which level of advice is right for you. Please read our Financial Services Guide: Personal Advice for details.
Our personal advice comes in three levels:
Information about advice
This is simple personal advice about your options with your existing super with us. This service is provided over the phone for members nationwide.
How this level of advice can help
This support and advice is designed for members, focusing on your super and matters related to your Cbus Super account. This might include topics such as choosing the right investment option, which type of contribution to make, or starting a Transition to Retirement or Super Income Stream account.
Cost
There is no additional cost. It’s included in your Cbus Super membership.
Information about advice
This includes everything available to members under Advice Essentials plus strategic personal advice for you (and your partner if you choose) to improve your retirement outcomes. This service is provided by video call for members nationwide, or in person at our Melbourne office .
How this level of advice can help
This option aims to help you with strategic advice on your retirement planning needs related to Cbus Super products. If the advice is to include your spouse/partner who isn’t a member of Cbus Super, our adviser can provide strategic personal advice that takes into account their personal needs and circumstances.
Cost
A set fee of $990 inc GST.
This will be discussed with you and will only go ahead if you agree beforehand.
Information about advice
Comprehensive financial advice is available for matters beyond superannuation, along with your super and retirement planning needs. It’s provided by an external financial adviser who meets strict professional qualifications and service criteria set by us and the Financial Advice Association Australia (FAAA).
How this level of advice can help
This covers more complex financial matters, such as investing through family trusts and detailed estate planning. It includes a full-service offering with ongoing yearly support if required.
Cost
Fee-for-service basis
The external adviser will discuss their advice fees with you and ask you to agree them in advance before proceeding.
How our advice process works
For all your advice needs, contact our Advice team. You can explain your circumstances and what help you’re looking for to one of our Advice Consultants. They’ll ask you some questions to understand your situation and needs, and then recommend the most suitable advice service for you.
They’ll either provide you with general advice then and there, or book you in for one of the personal advice services with a CBUS financial adviser, explaining how the process works.
- The Advice Essentials service is included in the cost of your CBUS Super membership. The adviser will then provide personal advice limited to your CBUS Super account and related matters only.
- Advice Essentials Plus covers the same topics as Advice Essentials plus a broader range of strategic retirement planning advice for you (and your partner, if needed) for a fee of $990 inc GST.
- If we recommend fee-based advice, it will only proceed if you agree beforehand. You can pay on the day by debit or credit card or we can provide you with an invoice for bank transfer.
- If your financial advice needs are more complex, our adviser will refer you to an external adviser in our FAAA referral program for comprehensive advice.
Your personal information
During financial advice appointments, we collect personal information about you and your partner/spouse where applicable. For details on how we collect, store and disclose your personal information and how you can access it, read our Privacy policy and Personal Information Collection Statement for details on how we collect and disclose personal information or call us for a copy.
Making decisions about your super can seem overwhelming but getting help to make informed choices can take the stress and hassle out of the process.
That's where our advice Services comes in. We work hard to give you the right information and guidance at the right time. When you call us we'll chat with you to understand your needs and how we can help.
We recommend preparing any questions beforehand to make the most of this initial conversation. We'll then gather all the relevant information and if needed guide you to the appropriate person and if you're not quite ready to make a decision that's okay too.
We can offer general advice while you think things over if you're ready to take the next step we can arrange a time for you to speak with one of our super advisors or refer you to an external financial advisor already vetted by us.
Whichever option you choose we're here to help and if you do make a phone call with one of our super advisors you don't have to worry about grasping everything straight away.
There can be a lot to take in we'll put our personal advice recommendation in a document and send it to you that way you can have a read in your own time and then reach out to us with any questions.
Later whether you're new to work , approaching retirement or already retired CBUS Advice Services is here to support you.
Contact us today on 1300 361 784 and let us help you maximize your super.
Other online advice options
Online calculators
With our range of calculators, we make it easy to maximise your super and plan for your financial future.
Keep your super safe
We've pulled together some useful tips when choosing a financial adviser and how to keep your super safe.
Education sessions
Our in-person seminars and online webinars can help you get the most out of your super and understand your options at retirement.