There’s $2 billion in unclaimed money in Australia, including life insurance payouts. Here's how to find and claim what might be yours. 

Ever looked at your super and thought, "What the heck is a defined benefit fund?" You're not alone. 

Defined benefit superannuation funds are rare, old-school, and often misunderstood. Unlike your regular super that moves with the market, these funds lock in your retirement payout using a fixed formula. 

Under new ATO rules, you might be able to claim part of your advice fee as a tax deduction. Here’s how it works in 2025. 

If you've got life insurance through your super and a newer retail policy you set up with your adviser, you might be wondering: “Can I actually claim on both?” 

You’re finally getting a Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) payout approved—huge moment. But then comes the curly question: 

Your family medical history can impact your life insurance—but not in the way most people think. If your cousin had heart surgery or your grandpa had diabetes, that doesn’t usually raise red flags. What insurers do look at? Your immediate family: mum, dad, siblings. And whether they had certain health conditions young. 

So, you’re packing your bags, booking that one-way ticket, and living your best life. But hang on—what about your life insurance? Does it come with you?  

Short answer: yes, you can still be covered (whether you're overseas for a holiday or you've moved permanently). But there are some important catches to be aware of. 

If you’re in the Army Reserves or working at sea for Border Force, you might assume your life insurance will treat you like any other civilian worker. After all, you’re not dodging bullets daily, right? 

Cannabis and life insurance. Not exactly the power couple you dream of, but if you’re lighting up occasionally—or using it medicinally—you’ll want to understand what this means for your cover. 

If you're a woman in Australia and you've ever had period pain, PCOS, or a family history of breast cancer, there’s something you should know: it could affect your personal insurance. Yep, the stuff that’s already annoying and hard to manage might also come back to bite when you apply for cover. 

If you’re under 35, chances are you’ve Googled a money question and ended up on a TikTok or a podcast, not a life insurance website. And you’re not alone. 

What $1.1 billion in insurance claims data says about your real risks 

Insurance claims data isn’t just for actuaries and spreadsheet warriors. It’s a crystal ball for what could actually go wrong in your life. And according to Acenda’s 2024 snapshot, the stuff hitting hardest isn’t what you might expect. 

Child cover might sound like something you’ll “look into one day”—you know, after school fees, groceries, and sleep. But if you’ve ever had to take time off work because your kid had a cold (or the dreaded daycare gastro bug), you know how fast your world can stop for theirs. 

In an episode of My Risk Adviser, Phil Thompson sits down with Paul Milbourne to unpack his journey - why he left the safety of a large firm, how he’s building partnerships, acquiring the right books of clients, and his take on what it means to grow a modern advice business.

You know what’s more confusing than trying to pick a health fund? Trying to understand insurance policies. Especially when the fine print makes your brain melt. 

We get it. The DIY route feels quicker, cheaper, easier. But spoiler alert: insurance through an adviser isn’t just for the rich and overly cautious. It’s actually the smarter, safer, and in many cases—cheaper—way to go. 

For most Australians, our income isn’t just about covering the basics like rent or mortgage payments. It funds our lifestyle, pays for groceries, keeps the lights on, covers school fees, and even helps us plan for the future. But what happens if an unexpected illness or injury sidelines you from work for weeks, months, or even years? 

If you’re living or working in Victoria, you might’ve heard that the rules for WorkCover mental health claims changed in March 2024. Whether you’re an employee wondering if you’re eligible, an employer trying to support your team, or an adviser helping clients through the process—it’s important to know how these updates work. 

A life insurance payout can be a huge financial relief during one of life’s toughest moments. But it can also feel overwhelming—one minute, you're grieving, the next, you're expected to make big financial decisions. 

Life insurance is one of those things that’s easy to put off—until you need it. And by then? Too late. But how much is too much life insurance? And how little is too little? 

A common concern many Australians have is: “Will I lose my life insurance if I change super funds?”

Good news—you can switch super funds while keeping your life insurance intact. The process is straightforward when set up correctly, allowing you to maintain financial protection without being tied to a single fund.