Aon Hewitt advisers gain Equity Trustees services

The partnership will give Aon Hewitt advisers access to the services and assistance of EQT’s estate planning and wills specialists on behalf of its clients, EQT said in a statement.

“The service is available to Aon Hewitt’s financial adviser network although over time it will be extended to members of the Aon Master Trust and corporate clients,” EQT stated.

Aon Hewitt’s general manager of financial advice, Jayson Walker, said there is an increasing need amongst its advisers for quality estate planning services for their clients.

“Australia’s aging population and the transfer of wealth from baby boomers to their children and grandchildren means that estate planning is an area of key importance to Aon Hewitt advisers,” he said.

“As a licensee we are keen to assist our advisers in ‘future-proofing’ their business wherever we can. One of the ways we hope to do this is by introducing solutions that help our advisers add value to their client relationships, and assisting multiple generations of a client’s family to see the difference that quality holistic financial advice can make to their financial situation is a good way to do that.

Aon Hewitt Financial Advice general manager of operations, David Plant, added the deal will help Aon Hewitt advisers meet Future of Financial Advice requirements by ensuring a full understanding of their clients’ circumstances, and acting in their best interests.

“We therefore piloted a scheme with EQT where our advisers can access EQT’s estate planning specialists and over the next year, the service will be rolled out across the rest of the Aon Hewitt business.”

EQT head of Private Wealth Services Geoff Rimmer noted increased interest from advisers in accessing help with estate planning services.

“Rather than attempt to be all things to all people, many advisers are recognising that a better approach – both for them and for their clients – is to have access to a network of experts that can be called on as and when needed,” he said