If lifetime income, then which lifetime income?

A combination of income streams, including lifetime income streams, is fast becoming a defining feature of retirement planning. The question is no longer ‘if’ members should have access to lifetime income, but ‘which’ solutions will deliver the greatest value to members and aligns with the superfund’s retirement income strategy.

Treasury’s recent consultation paper, “Guidance on Best Practice Principles for Superannuation Retirement Income Solutions”, sets out draft principles for funds. These principles highlight the importance of offering members access to lifetime income products beyond the Age Pension - a critical step in building quality retirement solutions.

The evidence is clear. Research from the Australian Government Actuary shows that incorporating a longevity component can boost retirement income by 15–30% compared with drawing only the minimum from an Account-Based Pension. Just as importantly, it provides more stable income and confidence over time. For trustees, making lifetime income products available is not simply about meeting regulatory expectations - it’s about empowering members with choice and giving them confidence to spend and helping them achieve stronger retirement outcomes.

In our interactive Q&A session, including a fund executive panel, we’ll cut through the complexity and showcase the new generation of lifetime income solutions now being launched by superannuation funds and insurers. You’ll learn how today’s products compare, where they differ, and how they can fit into your retirement income proposition. Most importantly, you’ll walk away with a practical framework to help you design solutions that resonate with your members and deliver lasting value, and views on how they can be made available to a much larger cohort, if not all members at scale.

Register now

Guest speakers

Andrew Lowe, Head of Technical Services, Challenger

Andrew is the Head of Technical Services for Challenger. Andrew and the Challenger Tech Team are responsible for the development and delivery of technical content, tools and advice for advisers. Andrew’s areas of interest include pre and post-retirement planning, superannuation (including SMSFs), Social Security, aged care and the regulatory environment for the provision of financial advice.

Andrew has more than 20 years’ technical experience including technical roles with AMP, ING and ANZ. Andrew has qualifications in Commerce, Law and Financial Planning.

Stephan Richartz, Head of Institutional Retirement Solutions, Challenger

Stephan is Challenger’s Head of Institutional Retirement Solutions & Strategic Partnerships. In his role Stephan is responsible for the engagement with Profit-for-Member Superannuation Funds and focused on the design and implementation of scalable retirement solutions, not only to address the Retirement Income Covenant requirements, but also to create superior member experiences and outcomes.

Stephan has over 20 years’ experience in financial services. Prior to joining Challenger Stephan held senior positions at UniSuper, AMP, BlackRock and MetLife responsible for institutional distribution and advice strategy as well as key account management. Stephan holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Cologne in Germany, a Diploma in Banking, and a Diploma of Financial Services. He is married with two kids and lives in Sydney.

Brisbane panellists

Jennifer McSpadden, Head of Retirement, Brighter Super

Jennifer is the Head of Retirement at Brighter Super, where she is dedicated to enhancing financial wellbeing and retirement outcomes for all members. With over 25 years of experience in the superannuation and retirement sectors, Jennifer is focused on better understanding member needs, developing straightforward retirement products, and delivering meaningful financial education and guidance. Jennifer joined Brighter Super in 2022 as the Head of Marketing and was promoted to the newly created role of Head of Retirement in November 2023. In this comprehensive, cross-functional position, she is responsible for implementing the Fund’s Retirement Income Strategy and driving optimal growth for both the Fund and its members. Jennifer is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and holds an MBA and a BA in Marketing.

Kathryn Spragg, Senior Retirement Actuary, ART

Kathryn is a Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries of Australia and a Chartered Enterprise Risk Actuary, specialising in global retirement income systems. She has been with Australian Retirement Trust for over a decade, where she leads the design, development, and continuous improvement of retirement and longevity products. Kathryn also oversees the ongoing monitoring and solvency management of the ART’s Innovative Retirement Income Stream product, Lifetime Pension.

Adelaide panellists

Tristan Barnes, State Manager Advice - SA, UniSuper

As the State Manager of UniSuper’s Advice business in South Australia, Tristan’s primary focus is supporting great outcomes for clients and leading strong performance outcomes for Unisuper's team in South Australia. Tristan’s experience in delivering high value financial advice spans many years and specialisations, including the delivery of personal financial planning advice to high net worth retail clients, SMSFs, and financial consultancy to medium and large corporations (listed and privately owned). With a deep interest in how human psychology affects financial decisions, Tristan assists clients in connecting with their own beliefs around ‘money’, how these factors can affect behaviour, and how these considerations can be translated into better goal setting, and better lifestyle and financial outcomes.

Adrian De Silva, Director, People, Product & Transformation, Super SA

Adrian is currently the Director of People, Product & Transformation at Super SA. Within this role he drives the People Development, Product roadmap and the Strategic Projects within the PMO.

Prior to this role, Adrian held Senior Wealth Executive appointments across NAB/MLC, BT, AMP and Beyond Bank. Adrian has a passion for supporting the leadership growth of People, and also how to improve the Financial Literacy of the community. He holds post tertiary qualifications in Management and Financial Planning.

Outside of work, Adrian can been seen riding with his friends and also running with his wife, as long as there is good coffee coming up.

Sydney panellists

Nathan Buttigieg, Executive Manager Strategy, NGS Super

Nathan has spent more than 15 years serving in various leadership roles within the super industry, including roles managing the Operations, Member Experience and Growth functions at different funds.

With completed studies in Business, Organisational Leadership and as a CPA Accountant, Nathan is passionate about Funds working to tailor their produces to the distinct needs of their memberships and having the right channels and messages to get the individual connected to these product solutions.

Alla Borralho, Head of Advice Delivery - Financial Planning, TelstraSuper

Alla Borralho is an experienced wealth executive, who has spent most of her career leading advice businesses through change in a highly regulated environment. Her career spans leadership roles at NAB Financial Planning, MLC Advice, Insignia Financial, and currently TelstraSuper Financial Planning. Alla is a strong advocate for the positive impact of financial advice and wants to see more Australians have access to quality guidance that empowers their financial wellbeing. Alla has a Bachelor of Business from the University of Technology Sydney and MBA from the Australian Graduate School of Business.

Jennifer McSpadden, Head of Retirement, Brighter Super

Jennifer is the Head of Retirement at Brighter Super, where she is dedicated to enhancing financial wellbeing and retirement outcomes for all members. With over 25 years of experience in the superannuation and retirement sectors, Jennifer is focused on better understanding member needs, developing straightforward retirement products, and delivering meaningful financial education and guidance. Jennifer joined Brighter Super in 2022 as the Head of Marketing and was promoted to the newly created role of Head of Retirement in November 2023. In this comprehensive, cross-functional position, she is responsible for implementing the Fund’s Retirement Income Strategy and driving optimal growth for both the Fund and its members. Jennifer is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and holds an MBA and a BA in Marketing.

Melbourne panellists

Felicity Brasher, Group Executive, Member Engagement, ESSSuper

Felicity is Group Executive, Member Engagement at ESSSuper, with over 30 years’ experience across superannuation, financial advice and broader financial services. She leads ESSSuper’s Member Advice, Member Education and Contact Centre functions, and has played a key role in guiding teams through significant organisational and regulatory change.

With more than two decades in senior leadership roles, Felicity brings deep operational expertise and a strong passion for member and client outcomes, adviser capabilities, and workforce engagement. Her career spans paraplanning, financial advice, business development and senior leadership roles across industry and retail financial service businesses including NAB, MLC, BT and ESSSuper.

Felicity is known for her collaborative leadership style and commitment to developing high-performing teams.

Darren Williams, Head of Product, UniSuper

Darren leads UniSuper’s Product function, working with a talented team of product professionals who seek to maintain and enhance UniSuper’s compelling member offer across accumulation (including defined benefit), retirement, insurance, and the investment menu. He also has responsibility for key relationships such as research houses, the Fund Actuary, group insurers, and all elements of product governance.

With more than 20 years’ experience in financial services, Darren brings deep, end‑to‑end expertise across the wealth management value chain. Together with his team, Darren utilises this experience when coordinating the Fund’s retirement income strategy, driving collaboration across Product, Advice, Investments, Service, Marketing and Digital, all with the objective of helping UniSuper members spend with confidence in retirement.

Cost

FEAL members - $0 & non-members $145 (inc GST)

*If you are a non member & would like to attend please contact FEAL.

February Luncheon Briefing

If lifetime income, then which lifetime income?

Guest speakers

Brisbane panellists

Adelaide panellists

Sydney panellists

Melbourne panellists

Brisbane

Adelaide

Sydney

Melbourne

Cost

November Luncheon Briefing

FEAL Superannuation Leaders Forum