Register For Our Mailing List

Register to receive our free weekly newsletter including editorials.

Register

19 June 2025

Home / 382

Video: Noel Whittaker on investing until you’re 100

At any point in time, regardless of the existence of a severe event like COVID-19, the outlook is always unclear and range of outcomes uncertain. Rather than speculate about markets, it’s better to stay the course with a diversified portfolio based on your attitude to risk. Author and personal finance expert Noel Whittaker talks with Graham Hand.

From the Morningstar Individual Investor Conference, 30 October 2020

The Morningstar 2020 Individual Investor Conference was held over 29 and 30 October and drew over 2,000 registrations. It offered investors the opportunity to tap into the expertise and knowledge and Australia's leading investors. 

Some of the highlight sessions include:

  • Hamish Douglass from Magellan discusses the US election, long-term trends and your portfolio.
  • Gemma Dale from nabtrade on the rise of the retail investor
  • Kate Howitt on how she identifies attractive companies
  • David Harrison from Charter Hall Property discusses how it's all about location, location and ... strategy.
  • Anton Tagliaferro of IML on finding long-term opportunities in the current market.

Get access to all the recordings and explore all Premium benefits with a free Morningstar Premium trial. No credit card required.

Noel Whittaker is one of the world’s foremost authorities on personal finance and an international bestselling author. His latest book, Retirement Made Simple, is available at www.noelwhittaker.com.au. 

 

6 Comments
ABC
November 08, 2020

I agree completely with CC.
Also, once you have about $100,000 in a super fund, why not create your own index fund? Just invest in the largest 10 or 12 Aussie shares, weighted by market capitalisation. Adjust a couple of times a year and the results will be close enough to the index. I started doing this in 1993 and it works with little effort. After their fees and other costs, I beat most super fund managers most years and often beat them all.

Geoff
November 14, 2020

Simply invest in Argo Investments (ARG) and/or Australian Foundation Investment (AFI).

Trevor
November 07, 2020

VERY STRONG HINT.....because I am not "licensed to give financial advice".........there are management strategies available.... . BUY NOEL'S BOOK !

AlanB
November 04, 2020

28:28 "...and watch that they don't charge too much in fees. .... a 1% $40,000 fee on a $4m share portfolio is ridiculous." It would be interesting to know the % increase in wealth to a client from using a financial planner/advisor, compared to the % increase in wealth to the financial planner/advisor from using a client. 

Geoff
November 04, 2020

37:30 in the video, re. paying your financial advisor. It's not a good question as the answer surely depends upon what said advisor is doing for you. If they're providing investment advice and managing your portfolio, then a % of FUM is reasonable - so long as it's a reasonable %. If they're giving you advice on this or that particular topic - say estate planning, financing into a retirement home, general investment strategy when not in control of particular assets, then a $/hr charge seems more appropriate.

What I have a huge problem with is this insistence on % of FUM when the advisor essentially does absolutely nothing active but review your portfolio once a year. Nice work if you can get it.

My partner got into a conversation with FPs about transferring her UK pension assets to Australia, and I was gobsmacked that there was a 1%-ish fee for organising the transfer, and an ongoing 1% on FUM for "advice" because the vehicle into which the funds (being superannuation) required a FP to operate it - ie. make any changes. Given the amount in question was some $600K or thereabouts, that seemed like theft to me. The cost to transfer assets is independent of the size of the assets, and the cost of making changes to the investments is as well. She didn't proceed for reasons other than the fees, but it all just seemed like money for jam for the FP firm involved to me.

CC
November 07, 2020

You'd do much better to manage your shares and managed funds by yourself, as I do. it's really not that hard. particularly these days with low fee ETFs, index funds, etc.

 

Leave a Comment:

     

RELATED ARTICLES

Video: How Chris Cuffe finds fund managers who 'swing the bat'

What Warren Buffett isn’t saying speaks volumes

Portfolio construction in the real world

Firstlinks is sponsored by:
banner

Most viewed in recent weeks

Australian house prices close in on world record

Sydney is set to become the world’s most expensive city for housing over the next 12 months, a new report shows. Our other major cities aren’t far behind unless there are major changes to improve housing affordability.

The case for the $3 million super tax

The Government's proposed tax has copped a lot of flack though I think it's a reasonable approach to improve the long-term sustainability of superannuation and the retirement income system. Here’s why.

The revolt against Baby Boomer wealth

The $3m super tax could be put down to the Government needing money and the wealthy being easy targets. It’s deeper than that though and this looks at the factors behind the policy and why more taxes on the wealthy are coming.

Meg on SMSFs: Withdrawing assets ahead of the $3m super tax

The super tax has caused an almighty scuffle, but for SMSFs impacted by the proposed tax, a big question remains: what should they do now? Here are ideas for those wanting to withdraw money from their SMSF.

Tariffs are a smokescreen to Trump's real endgame

Behind market volatility and tariff threats lies a deeper strategy. Trump’s real goal isn’t trade reform but managing America's massive debts, preserving bond market confidence, and preparing for potential QE.

The super tax and the defined benefits scandal

Australia's superannuation inequities date back to poor decisions made by Parliament two decades ago. If super for the wealthy needs resetting, so too does the defined benefits schemes for our public servants.

Latest Updates

The revolt against Baby Boomer wealth

The $3m super tax could be put down to the Government needing money and the wealthy being easy targets. It’s deeper than that though and this looks at the factors behind the policy and why more taxes on the wealthy are coming.

Superannuation

How to prevent excessive superannuation balances

There is an alternative, simpler approach which could be used to mitigate some of the difficulties that the proposed super tax has for holders of large assets such as properties, businesses and farms in SMSFs.

Shares

US shares: Ambitious multiples on ambitious EPS forecasts

Here's a detailed look at how current valuations and profit forecasts for the S&P 500 stack up versus history. The answer? Both seem excessive, making the market vulnerable to a correction or worse.

Taxation

Family trust tax: When is a loan not a loan?

A recent ruling could change the tax payable by beneficiaries of family trusts. If the ATO has previously demanded extra payments on unpaid present entitlements in your family group, you should watch this space.

Property

Things you must consider before subdividing a property

Subdividing can offer a lucrative first step into property development. Yet it comes with legal, planning and unexpected tax considerations that should be understood from an early stage to avoid surprises.

Investment strategies

5 insights that put market volatility in perspective

Though it may feel like this time is different, markets have shown resilience throughout history when confronted by wars, pandemics and other crises. In many cases, the best course of action has been none at all.

Strategy

Concerns about China's rise to power seem overblown

China has always managed its affairs in a very different way to Western countries and empires. For those concerned about China's rise as a global power, the big question is whether this approach could change.

Sponsors

Alliances

Site Map

About Firstlinks

© 2025 Morningstar, Inc. All rights reserved.

Disclaimer
The data, research and opinions provided here are for information purposes; are not an offer to buy or sell a security; and are not warranted to be correct, complete or accurate. Morningstar, its affiliates, and third-party content providers are not responsible for any investment decisions, damages or losses resulting from, or related to, the data and analyses or their use. To the extent any content is general advice, it has been prepared for clients of Morningstar Australasia Pty Ltd (ABN: 95 090 665 544, AFSL: 240892), without reference to your financial objectives, situation or needs. For more information refer to our Financial Services Guide. You should consider the advice in light of these matters and if applicable, the relevant Product Disclosure Statement before making any decision to invest. Past performance does not necessarily indicate a financial product’s future performance. To obtain advice tailored to your situation, contact a professional financial adviser. Articles are current as at date of publication.
This website contains information and opinions provided by third parties. Inclusion of this information does not necessarily represent Morningstar’s positions, strategies or opinions and should not be considered an endorsement by Morningstar.