Before you compare wealth services, know what matters
Define your purchase criteria. Guide your decision.
Before you compare pensions, investments, wealth services or read customer reviews, know what you need, what matters and what can go wrong.
Your smarter purchase journey
01: Understand your needs
02: Decide what matters
03: Explore your options
04: Understand the risks
05: Define your purchase criteria
Why start with what matters?
The right wealth solution is not necessarily the one with the highest potential return or lowest fee. It is the one that fits your goals, time horizon, risk tolerance and financial circumstances.
01: Understand your goals
Identify what you want your money to achieve and when you will need it.
02: Rank your priorities
Identify which outcomes matter most, from growth to income.
03: Identify key risks
Understand how investment decisions could affect your plans.
01 — UNDERSTAND YOUR NEEDS
What are you building wealth for?
Retirement Builder
You are building long-term wealth to support your financial needs later in life.
Challenges
• Insufficient savings
• Inflation reducing value
• Retirement needs
What you need
• Long-term growth
• Suitable contributions
• A clear retirement strategy
Long-Term Investor
You want to grow your wealth over time through investments rather than relying solely on cash savings.
Challenges
• Market volatility
• Poor diversification
• Emotional decisions
What you need
• Appropriate investments
• Diversification
• Long-term discipline
Financial Independence
You want your wealth to generate income or greater financial flexibility over time.
Challenges
• Unreliable income
• Capital depletion
• Inflation
What you need
• Sustainable income
• Suitable assets
• Long-term planning
Wealth Preserver
You have accumulated assets and want to protect and manage your wealth while continuing to meet your financial goals.
Challenges
• Loss of capital
• Tax inefficiency
• Concentrated investments
What you need
• Diversification
• Risk management
• Effective planning
02 — DECIDE WHAT MATTERS
What wealth service outcome matters most ?
Growth
You want your wealth to increase in value over the long term.
Look for
• Growth potential
• Diversification
• Long-term strategy
What to check
• Expected return
• Investment mix
• Historical performance
Risk
You need an approach that reflects how much loss you can financially and emotionally withstand.
Look for
• Appropriate risk level
• Diversification
• Clear risk management
What to check
• Volatility & Risk
• Potential losses
• Asset allocation
Cost
Fees and charges should be proportionate to the value and service you receive.
Look for
• Transparent fees
• Competitive charges
• Clear value
What to check
• Platform & advice fees
• Fund charges
• Transaction costs
Flexibility
Your wealth strategy should adapt as your goals, circumstances and financial needs change.
Look for
• Flexible contributions
• Accessible options
• Withdrawal arrangements
What to check
• Contribution options
• Withdrawal & transfer rules
• Investment choices
03 — EXPLORE YOUR OPTIONS
Different wealth solutions suit different needs.
Pension
A long-term structure designed to help you build funds for retirement.
Best suited to: People building wealth for retirement who can benefit from long-term pension saving and its associated tax treatment.
Consider:
• Contribution options
• Investment choices
• Charges & access rules
• Retirement options
Investment Account
Allows you to invest outside a pension and build long-term wealth with greater access to your money.
Best suited to: People investing for goals that may require access before retirement or who want investments alongside pension savings.
Consider:
• Investment choices
• Tax treatment
• Access & Platform charges
• Withdrawal options
Managed Portfolio
Provides a professionally managed investment portfolio based on an agreed investment approach.
Best suited to: People who want investment decisions managed on their behalf.
Consider:
• Investment strategy
• Risk level
• Management fees
• Service & performance
Self-Directed Investing
Allows you to choose and manage your own investments.
Best suited to: People who are comfortable researching investments and making their own decisions.
Key indicators:
• Investment choice
• Platform & trading fees
• Research tools
• Tax considerations
04 — UNDERSTAND THE RISKS
What can go wrong with wealth services?
01. Investment Performance & Loss
Investment values can fall as well as rise, and past performance does not guarantee future results.
Warning Signs
• Concentrated investments
• Unrealistic expectations
• Poor diversification
Risks
• Capital losses
• Lower future wealth
• Financial shortfalls
02. Costs & Value
Small charges can significantly affect long-term wealth, particularly when they compound over many years.
Warning Signs
• Multiple fees
• Unclear charges
• High ongoing costs
Risks
• Lower returns
• Low retirement income
• Poor value
03. Advice & Support
The quality of advice, information and ongoing support can affect the decisions you make and how effectively you manage your wealth.
Warning Signs
• Unclear recommendations
• Limited transparency
• Poor communication
Risks
• Unsuitable decisions
• Missed opportunities
• Financial loss
04. Access & Flexibility
Restrictions on contributions, withdrawals, transfers or investments can affect how easily you can respond when your circumstances change.
Warning Signs
• Complex restrictions
• Limited choices
• High exit costs
Risks
• Reduced flexibility
• Unexpected charges
• Funds access restrictions
05 — DEFINE YOUR PURCHASE CRITERIA
Turn what matters into criteria you can compare
Growth & Performance
Assess whether the investment approach is appropriate for your goals and time horizon rather than focusing only on past returns.
Key indicators:
• Investment strategy
• Asset allocation
• Long-term performance
• Diversification
Risk
Assess whether the level of investment risk fits your financial circumstances, time horizon and ability to withstand losses.
Key indicators:
• Risk level
• Volatility
• Potential losses
• Asset allocation
Cost & Value
Assess the total cost of investing and whether the service provides sufficient value for the fees charged.
Key indicators:
• Platform fees
• Fund charges
• Advice fees
• Transaction costs
Flexibility
Assess how easily you can contribute, change investments, transfer or access your money when appropriate.
Key indicators:
• Contribution options
• Withdrawal terms
• Investment choices
• Transfer options
Support
Assess how effectively the provider handles questions, transactions, changes and ongoing account management.
Key indicators:
• Support access
• Response times
• Resolution quality
• Digital and adviser access
Security
Assess how the provider protects your account, personal information and assets.
Key indicators:
• Account authentication
• Fraud protection
• Data security
• Asset protection
Your wealth service criteria
Turn what matters to you into clear must-haves and deal-breakers.
Must-Haves
• A strategy aligned with your financial goals
• Risk you can realistically tolerate
• Transparent and competitive costs
• Suitable investment choices
• Support when you need it
Deal-breakers
• Risk that does not fit your circumstances
• Unclear or excessive fees
• Poor diversification
• Restrictive access or transfer terms
• Repeated unresolved complaints
Ready to compare wealth services?
You now know what you need, what matters and what to avoid. Use your criteria to compare the options that fit.
STAY AHEAD OF WHAT MATTERS
Identify the key factors before comparing providers or reading reviews. Know what truly matters before you buy.
✓ Discover the Criteria: Define what matters before you compare.
✓ Spot the Risks: Avoid costly buyer mistakes.
✓ Secure the Outcome: Minimise hidden add-ons and extra costs.
Want to stay ahead of what matters?
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