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Wealth
For questions/enquiries with regards to a client’s existing investment, please contact Insignia Financial at 1800 002 217 or email investorservices@insigniafinancial.com.au
If you have any queries regarding the announcement or Australian Unity, please contact 1300 133 285 or email investmentbonds@australianunity.com.au
If you would like to learn more about our product set or discuss how you can utilise investment bond strategies with your clients, please reach out to our experienced and knowledgeable specialist business development team
Effective from 29 August 2025, we will no longer accept or process new applications for investors into the IOOF WealthBuilder investment bond.
We continue to pursue our strategy to streamline our product offerings and focus on our full-featured offerings, whilst maintaining quality services for our adviser network and valued existing clients.
Existing investors and advisers do not need to take any action.
However, advisers or investors that are interested in opening a new investment bond product will need to consider alternative options.
At Australian Unity, we seek to support the financial wellbeing and resilience of our members and customers through the delivery of tailored products and services. We are a leader in the investment bonds sector with combined funds under management of over $3.8bn and 175,000 members and customers (as at 30 April 2025).
We are committed to growing and investing in investment bond products that help our customers plan for key life events and milestones.
Lifeplan Investment Bond
A comprehensive investment bond with an extensive and diverse range of investment options, it’s designed to help build wealth. You can also use it for effective estate planning, child advancement or to complement superannuation savings.
10Invest
A simple, online, low-cost investment bond with six investment options – Vanguard® to choose from. It’s designed to be straightforward—perfect for investors new to the world of investing and wanting to start long-term saving.
Lifeplan Education Bond
A scholarship plan designed to help parents, grandparents, guardians and students save for education costs.
FuneralPlan Bond
An easy way to put money aside or save up to meet the costs of a funeral.
The information provided is general information only and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. You should consider seeking professional financial and taxation advice tailored to your personal circumstances. Before making any decisions regarding your policy, you should consider the relevant Product Disclosure Statements (PDS). The PDS and the Target Market Determination (TMD) for the respective products are available on our website.
There will be no changes to your existing client’(s’) product(s) or in the way that they interact with us.
Existing IOOF WealthBuilder clients can continue to:
add to their existing investment through one-off applications or through Regular Savings Plans;
switch underlying investment options; and
make withdrawals through one-off requests or through the Regular Withdrawal Facility.
Similarly, access to Portfolio Online for advisers remains unchanged. You can find the latest information and forms on the new IOOF WealthBuilder webpage located here: australianunity.com.au/wealth/save-for-the-future/aulbl-wealthbuilder
1. Why has Insignia Financial sold IOOF Ltd and its investment bond business to Australian Unity?
The investment bond business was considered adjacent to Insignia Financial’s core strategic priorities and the sale of IOOF Ltd will provide improved business focus and clarity.
Australian Unity is a leader in the investment bonds sector, with an existing investment bond business offered through Lifeplan Australia Friendly Society (LAFS). Clients will benefit from joining Australian Unity which is committed to growing and investing in the investment bond sector over the long term.
2. Why will there be a transition period?
We are first and foremost, wanting to ensure that there is minimal impact to you.
An initial transition period will allow both Insignia Financial and Australian Unity to work together collaboratively to ensure a smooth transition for clients. Having this time to manage the transition of some 30,000 accounts onto new operating systems makes sense for such an acquisition and we note that it remains business as usual for clients over this time.
3. What can I expect once the transition to Australian Unity is complete?
We are first and foremost, wanting to ensure that there is minimal impact to you.
At the conclusion of the transition period, clients will be transferred from Insignia Financial’s operating systems to Australian Unity operating systems. Over time and in line with our usual course of business, we will review the product suite and look at ways to improve our overall offering to clients.
4. How does the acquisition impact existing policy holders?
Right now, and for the period of transition, it is business as usual. At this stage, we are focused on a smooth transition for clients and we continue to work with Insignia Financial to achieve this.
Clients will benefit from joining Australian Unity which is committed to growing and investing in the investment bond sector over the long term.
5. Is Australian Unity going to make any changes to the IOOF WealthBuilder loan facility?
There will be no changes to the operations of the IOOF WealthBuilder loan facility during the transition period. The IOOF WealthBuilder loan facility has been closed to new applications (including applications to increase) since April 2021, and this will remain unchanged.
6. Who do I contact if I have any questions?
During the transition period, if you have queries with regards to your investment, please contact your financial adviser or the Investor Services Team at Insignia Financial on 1800 002 217 or investorservices@insigniafinancial.com.au.
If you have any queries regarding the acquisition or Australian Unity, please contact us on 1300 1300 38 or enquiries@australianunity.com.au.
1. Why is the AULBL business being transferred to Lifeplan Australia Friendly Society (LAFS)?
As a leading issuer of investment bonds with combined funds under management of over $3.6bn and 165,000 customers, Australian Unity is committed to growing the investment bond sector and to continue to help Australians plan for key life events and milestones.
Combining the two businesses, means in practical terms that we remove duplication and the associated additional costs in operating two friendly societies, in turn improving operational efficiency.
Moreover, the scale of the combined businesses further strengthens the financial health of our business, helping protect your investment with LAFS.
2. What does the transfer of business entail?
An application for the voluntary transfer of the AULBL business to LAFS under Part 3 of the Financial Sector (Transfer and Restructure) Act 1999 (Cth) (FSTRA) was submitted to the prudential regulator, the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA).
Due diligence activities were carried out for the purpose of the transfer, which included:
This work was supported by the respective Appointed Actuary for each entity as well as legal and tax consultants.
3. When does the transfer take effect?
The transfer was approved by APRA and took effect from 1 December 2024.
4. How does the transfer impact me as an existing AULBL policyholder?
As an existing policyholder, there are no adverse changes to your entitlements, current product, or policy as a result of this transfer.
The Board of AULBL considers that the interests of policyholders are advanced by the transfer to LAFS due to the increased level of benefit protection and capital diversity through being owned by a much larger friendly society.
The respective Appointed Actuary for each entity prepared a report on the transfer of AULBL into LAFS. An extract of the reports is provided below:
Actuarial opinion extract - AULBL
5. As an existing AULBL policyholder, do I have to do anything?
No, you are not required to take any action as a result of this transfer.
6. Will I become a member of Australian Unity Limited as a result of this transfer?
Established in 1840, Australian Unity is Australia’s first wellbeing company, delivering positive impact through health, wealth and care services for our members and the community.
In 2025, we will write to you with an invitation to opt-in to Australian Unity membership. Australian Unity members receive exclusive access to a range of benefits that help measure and improve personal wellbeing. Membership is optional and provided at no cost.
7. Who do I contact if I have any questions?
If you have any queries regarding your existing investment, please continue to contact Insignia Financial at 1800 002 217 or email investorservices@insigniafinancial.com.au. If you have any queries regarding the transfer, LAFS or Australian Unity, please contact our dedicated phone line on 1800 800 245 or email AULBLTransfer@australianunity.com.au.
