Investment. A guide to investment bonds

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1 Investment A guide to investment bonds

2 Investment bonds represent an opportunity to build wealth in a unique tax environment. * Here is a brief explanation of how investment bonds work. About OnePath OnePath is one of Australia s leading providers of wealth, insurance and advice solutions. We have been helping Australians grow and protect their wealth for over 130 years, previously as Mercantile Mutual and more recently as ING Australia. Now as a wholly owned subsidiary of Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Ltd (ANZ), OnePath operates as ANZ s Australian specialist wealth management and protection business. ANZ is a leading global and local bank with operations in more than 32 countries including Australia, New Zealand, Asia, the Pacific, the Middle East, Europe and America. ANZ provides products and services to more than 5.7 million retail customers worldwide and employs over 39,000 people. OnePath has a comprehensive range of wealth and insurance products available through financial advisers or direct to customers making it easier for you to find the solution that best suits your needs. At OnePath we value and appreciate our customers, our staff and the communities we operate in. We are committed to acting with the highest standards and to meeting our corporate responsibilities. We also encourage and support staff involvement in volunteering and charitable activities supporting the wider community. OnePath actively participates in forums looking at regulatory and industry change. We also regularly review and conduct research to ensure we are attuned to changing customer and market needs.

3 Q. What is an investment bond? An investment bond is a structure for investing, as is a superannuation fund or a unit trust. However, each structure has its own set of rules, with differing advantages and disadvantages. Q. Why invest in an investment bond? If you are a suitable investor, there are a number of compelling reasons to consider an investment bond: 1. Tax paid investing Investment bonds are tax paid investments, with income and capital gains taxed at a maximum rate of 30% within the bond. The 10 year rule ten years after the commencement of an investment, all proceeds will generally be available without any additional taxation liability, provided each year s contribution does not exceed 125% of the previous year s contributions. When you invest in an investment bond, you will not need to include investment earnings in your annual tax return (unless you make a withdrawal within the 10 year period). If you are investing for a child, you can avoid the punitive taxation rates of up to 45% which are placed on the investment income on the assets of minors. Tax is paid at a maximum rate of 30%. 2. Accessibility Unlike superannuation investments, investment bonds are not subject to preservation. This means that your savings can be accessed before you reach age 55, which is ideal if you are looking to fund an early retirement. 3. Beneficiaries Investment bonds give you the freedom to nominate anyone as a beneficiary in the event of your death. You are not limited to dependants, as is required for superannuation investments.** * The tax effectiveness is dependent on the personal circumstances of the individual investor. Investors should seek their own independent taxation advice. ** If an investor elects the child advancement option, nominated beneficiaries are not permitted. 1

4 Q. Why might an investment structure with a maximum tax rate of 30% be attractive to investors? Investment bonds are particularly attractive to investors who pay higher personal marginal tax rates. For example, where an investment does not qualify for the Capital Gains Tax (CGT) discount, the maximum tax rate of 46.5% may apply on investment earnings, compared to a maximum rate of 30% for an investment bond. In addition, unlike managed funds where a switch of investment options or change in ownership of the units could result in a personal CGT liability to the investor. Switching between investment funds within an investment bond does not result in a personal CGT liability, nor does it reset the commencement date for the 10 year rule. In this instance, the CGT liability resides in the investment fund and is reflected in the unit price. In most circumstances a change in ownership of the bond will not result in a CGT liability. Please note that stamp duty may need to be paid prior to any change of ownership before the change is acknowledged. Q. Does this mean that an investment bond may not suit lower marginal rate taxpayers? Yes. If you have a lower marginal tax rate and you invest in an investment bond, you may find you pay more tax than in other investment structures. The higher your tax rate, the more attractive an investment bond potentially becomes compared to other structures. However, you should consider the non-tax related benefits of investment bonds. Q. What is the 10 year rule in more detail? The 10 year rule is not a minimum investment period you can invest for a shorter or longer period. From the tenth year of holding the bond, subject to not restarting this period, your investment is entirely tax paid. That is, all investment earnings are available without additional tax. You can contribute up to 125% of your previous year s contributions without restarting the 10 year rule. This allows for significant increases in contributed amounts. 2

5 Q. How do I restart the 10 year rule? You will restart the 10 year rule if you contribute more than 125% of your contributions in the previous policy year. Q. At what rate am I taxed if I make a withdrawal within the ten year period? If you make a withdrawal within ten year period, the rate you are taxed will depend on when you make the withdrawal. See the table below: Year Tax outcome 8th year or earlier 100% of earnings assessed at individual s marginal tax rate (MTR) less a tax offset of 30% 9th year ²/3 of earnings assessed at individual s MTR less a tax offset of 30% 10th year 1/3 of earnings assessed at individual s MTR less a tax offset of 30% After 10th year No additional tax payable on earnings 3

6 OnePath s investment bond offering represents a tax paid investment that provides a simple and flexible way to save for a future goal. Q. How much do I need to invest? You can invest in OnePath s Investment Savings Bond from as little as $2,500. Q. What are my investment options? OnePath s Investment Savings Bond provides a selection of 19 investment options across different risk profiles. Q. What fees do I pay if I choose to invest in OnePath s Investment Savings Bond? The fees you pay depend on the investment options you choose, how much you agree to pay to your adviser, plus the fee option you select. Entry, exit and ongoing fees are shown below: Entry Fee option % Nil Entry Fee option % Entry Fee 0 4% 0% Exit Fee 0% Up to 3% of any amount withdrawn within 3 years Ongoing Fees 1.30% (p.a.) to 2.11% (p.a.) depending on the fund 1.60% (p.a.) to 2.66% (p.a.) depending on the fund $1,000 if using the Regular Investment Plan. An Annual Fee of $20 p.a. applies to total account balances under $10,000. 4

7 For more information on OnePath s Investment Savings Bond speak to your financial adviser today or visit onepath.com.au for the latest Product Disclosure Statement. 5

8 Customer Services Phone Postal Address ING Life Limited GPO Box 5306 Sydney NSW 2001 Website onepath.com.au OnePath Life Limited ABN AFSL Kent Street, Sydney NSW 2000 OnePath Life Limited is the issuer of the Investment Savings Bond. The issuer is a wholly owned subsidiary of Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited (ABN ) (ANZ). ANZ is an authorised deposit taking institution (Bank) under the Banking Act 1959 (Cth). Although the issuer of this product is owned by ANZ it is not a Bank. Except as described in the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS), an investment in the Investment Savings Bond is not a deposit or other liability of ANZ or its related group companies and none of them stands behind or guarantees the issuer or the capital or performance of your investment. Your investment is subject to investment risk, including possible repayment delays and loss of income and principal invested. This information is current at November 2010 but is subject to change. Updated information will be available free of charge by contacting Customer Services. The information provided is of a general nature and does not take into account your personal needs, financial circumstances or objectives. Before acting on this information, you should consider the appropriateness of the information, having regard to your needs, financial circumstances and objectives. You should read the PDS available at onepath.com.au and consider whether the product is right for you before making a decision to acquire or continue to hold the product. L2530/1110 onepath.com.au