Russell’s super and pension funds awarded top 2009 Chant West ratings
SYDNEY, 13 January 2009 - Russell Investments has recently received the prestigious Chant West ‘5 Apples’ rating for three of its superannuation and pension products for the 2009 year. The following Russell funds have been awarded Chant West’s highest rating - ‘5 Apples’ - relative to best practice in the superannuation industry:
- Russell SuperSolution Master Trust – Personal Division (PersonalSuper category)
- Russell SuperSolution Master Trust – Corporate (CorporateSuper category - both medium and large plans)
- Russell Private Active Pension (Pension category)
Russell’s Managing Director of Superannuation, Linda Elkins said the development of innovative products would be more crucial than ever to build investor confidence over the year ahead. Financial security will also undoubtedly remain a critical issue for investors in 2009.”
“We believe the Chant West ratings act as an important guide for employers, financial advisers and fund members, especially during these times of unprecedented volatility. The top ‘5 Apples’ rating is important to Russell and demonstrates the strength of our position in the superannuation space. We remain committed to our members and will continue to develop innovative products that bring greater value and flexibility to our corporate and personal superannuation clients,” Ms Elkins said.
A Chant West overall rating sums up their view on the merits of a particular fund from a member’s perspective. The overall rating is a starting point for the member or their financial adviser who may then use Chant West’s more detailed research to ‘drill down’ and see how the fund rates on particular criteria important to them. The ratings are based on six criteria: organisational strengths, investments, fees, insurance, administration and member services that are weighted according to their relative importance.
Russell has more than 20 years experience of improving financial security for people in Australia and its superannuation and pension funds have been consistently ranked amongst the top funds for the past five years. Warren Chant, Director of Chant West, added:
"We have awarded Russell SuperSolution our highest rating of 5 Apples mainly because of its sound investments and strong administration and member services.”
Chant West research (including ratings) is available to more than 5,000 financial advisers and over five million fund members.
More information about Russell’s award winning funds includes:
- Russell SuperSolution Master Trust – Personal Division (PersonalSuper category)
This superannuation account is for individual investors and is professionally managed by some of the world's best investment managers. It has been awarded the ‘5 apples’ rating every year since 2006. - Russell SuperSolution Master Trust – Corporate (CorporateSuper category - both medium and large plans)
The Russell SuperSolution Master Trust serves as the default superannuation fund for many of Australia’s medium and large employers, and has been awarded the ‘5 apples’ rating every year since 2005. Russell also provides superannuation services to large employers through total outsourced arrangements. Through these offerings in corporate superannuation Russell covers more than $8 billion in assets for clients including BHP Billiton, Sara Lee, OneSteel, BlueScope Steel, GE, H.J. Heinz, Johnson & Johnson, Kraft, AGL and News Limited. - Russell Private Active Pension (Pension category)
The Russell Private Active Pension is a market-leading product for those transitioning to and in retirement. It provides considerable flexibility for investors by combining a superannuation contribution account with a pension account that can be linked into the banking system to allow pension withdrawals from an ANZ Cash Management Account with an ATM card. Fees are competitive and can be further reduced for larger balances and by linking your accounts with family members. Through the product, investors access Russell’s institutional-quality multi-manager portfolios. The Russell Private Active Pension has been awarded the ‘5 Apples’ rating since inception in 2007. The product was also a finalist in the SuperRatings 'Best New Product' category for 2008.
Issued by Russell Investment Management Ltd ABN 53 068 338 974, AFS Licence 247185 (“RIM”). This document provides general information only and has not been prepared having regard to your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before making an investment decision, you need to consider whether this information is appropriate to your objectives, financial situation and needs. This information has been compiled from sources considered to be reliable, but is not guaranteed. RIM is part of Russell Investments (“Russell”). You can contact Russell by visiting www.russell.com.au or by phoning (02) 9229 5111. *AUM Is current as at 31/3/08.