Learning Modules

Financial Adviser
Education.

We’re pleased to support adviser education through periodic contributions on longevity, life expectancy, and lifetime income strategies.

Kaplan Professional is one of Australia’s leading providers of online education, supporting more than 45,000 industry professionals from over 1,500 corporate organisations to achieve their education and career goals every year.

What does an annuity look like today?

This guide explains how annuities have evolved in Australia, from traditional lifetime products to the innovative new designs we have today. It covers key features, regulatory changes, and advice opportunities—helping advisers understand how these products can support better retirement outcomes through longevity protection, income stability, and confident spending.

Download

Part 1: Debunking annuity myths

This two-part series addresses common misconceptions about lifetime annuities. Part 1 three common myths about lifetime annuities—around losing money early, receiving poor income, and being locked in for life. It explains how modern annuity designs provide greater flexibility, value, and security, equipping advisers to make evidence-based recommendations aligned with clients’ retirement needs and preferences.

Download

Part 2: Debunking annuity myths

Building on Part 1, this module tackles additional myths around value, control, and the impact on children’s inheritances. It challenges the idea that annuities only suit those who live exceptionally long lives, and explains how modern products have an ongoing role for advisers. It addresses concerns about potential provider failure and explains how annuities affect age pension entitlements. With data, projections, and behavioural insights, the module equips advisers to lead the way with effective retirement income strategies.

Download

Saving to avoid reduced lifestyle in retirement

By the end of this module, you should be able to explain current retiree demographics, identify how longevity improvements impact personal savings and government support costs, and evaluate whether higher superannuation contributions is the only effective strategy for managing longevity risk in retirement.

Expect the best. Prepare for the worst.

This learning content explores the challenge of incorporating life expectancy estimates into retirement plans. It looks at the factors which impact life expectancy and ways that advisers can manage this issue when working with clients. The implications of current developments, including the Retirement Income Covenant, Design and Distribution Obligations (DDO), changes implemented by FASEA and the Retirement Income Review (RIR), will also be considered.

Has Australia “outlived” the account-based pension?

While many advisers rely on standard tools and practices, these approaches have critical blind spots—especially when it comes to lifespan uncertainty. The adviser does not really have any idea how long each client will live. In fact, no one does. This module explores how common advice methods and Account-Based Pensions (ABPs) can leave retirees vulnerable to longevity risk, stress, declining income, and the very real prospect of running out of money in later life.