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SA UPDATE

From John Griffiths

Welcome to our Autumn edition of NEOS Connect, the quarterly newsletter about all things NEOS.

It’s been a great start to 2025 so far. LIV golf has just wrapped up, the footy pre-season is in full swing, and the South Australian cricketers continue to do well on the world stage. The weather has been amazing, and finally – the kids are back at school!

On a personal note, after a challenging 2024 of illness and loss, I’m determined to make 2025 my best year yet. It’s already off to a great start, as we’re lucky to have our niece visiting us all the way from Yorkshire, in the UK. She’s loving the Aussie summer – though she’s convinced that if she steps into the ocean, she will be eaten by a shark. We’re working on that…

I also had the chance to attend the 2025 Riskinfocus event last week, it was great to connect with so many advisers and industry professionals. The day was full of insightful discussions and updates, and I’m excited to bring back some fresh ideas that will benefit our work together this year.

At NEOS, our goal is simple: to make life easy for advisers and their clients. We’ve got some really exciting initiatives rolling out in the coming months that deliver on that promise. We’ve also delivered on more enhancements on the NEOS Platform – be sure to tune in to our upcoming webinars to learn more.

If there’s anything I can help you with in the meantime, just reach out – I’d love to help make 2025 a great year for you.

Exciting enhancements to the NEOS Platform

We’ve kicked off 2025 with more improvements to the NEOS Policy Servicing Portal!

You and your back-office staff can now quote and apply for even more in-force alterations, including:

  • Sum insured increases
  • Shortening the waiting period
  • Lengthening the benefit period
  • Improving definitions (e.g. Any to Own TPD)
  • Updating smoker status or moving to preferred pricing
  • Adding or improving optional benefits

Applying is simple – just enter the new cover values, upload the relevant documentation (such as an Application for Alteration or increase Form), and submit.

More features

These enhancements built on last year’s updates, which include:

  • Quote and apply for an in-force decrease alterations
  • In-force premium projections
  • View and update
    – Client contact details
    – Payment details
    – Beneficiary details
  • Generate certificates of currency
  • Access key documents in the NEOS library

We’re committed to making the Policy Servicing Portal a powerful tool that helps streamline your workflow, saving you time and driving business efficiency.

To learn more about the NEOS Platform and these latest enhancements, join our upcoming accredited webinar [next week].

Register

Stay tuned for more updates throughout the year!

Unlock Vivo for Encompass Protection for you and your clients

Did you know that Vivo is a comprehensive health, wellness, and recovery program designed to provide care and support through life’s journey? Available to you and your support staff, your Encompass Protection clients and their families can access expert guidance from leading health professionals at no additional cost!

Key benefits of Vivo Virtual Care:

  • Expert Medical Opinion: Gain access to in-depth reviews of your medical conditions from leading specialists, providing clarity and confidence in your diagnosis and treatment options.
  • Mental Health Navigator: Connect promptly with Australian psychologists and psychiatrists for assessments, personalised treatment plans, and assistance in finding local clinicians for ongoing care.
  • Fitness Consultation: Collaborate with Exercise Physiologists to develop personalised fitness plans tailored to your abilities, goals, and lifestyle, whether you’re starting a new routine or managing a chronic condition.
  • Nutrition Consultation: Work with accredited Dietitians to create customised nutrition plans aimed at increasing energy, managing weight, and supporting overall health.
  • Grief and Carer Support: Access one-on-one support and resources to navigate the emotional challenges of caring for a loved one or coping with loss.

Vivo is here to make life easier for your clients by providing expert support when it matters most.

Get in touch with your BDM today to learn more.

Earn CPD hours with our accredited webinars

Stay ahead with your CPD points by joining our accredited webinars. Designed to expand your knowledge and help you better support your clients; our webinars cover key industry topics and insights. Over the next month, we’ll be hosting:

  • Vivo for Encompass Protection (0.50 CPD hours)
  • Encompass Protection product deep dive (0.75 CPD hours)
  • NEOS Platform – Tech updates (0.50 CPD hours)

Keep an eye on our events page for more upcoming topics.

Are your clients' BDBNs up to date?

A binding death benefit nomination (BDBN) enables clients to nominate who will receive their insurance benefit in the event of their death. Importantly, these instructions are binding on the trustee regardless of whether the client’s family situation has changed in the meantime.

Given recent case laws around BDBNs, where an ex-spouse has succeeded in obtaining death benefits from superannuation against the wishes of the testator, ensuring these BDBNs are up to date is incredibly important.

Which is why all Protect Super Plan death benefit nominations are lapsing – they must be renewed every three years to remain binding on the trustee. We strongly believe this is in clients’ best interests, so we encourage you to ensure your clients are reviewing and updating their binding nominations regularly.

Updating your clients’ BDBNs is easy

Like all things at NEOS, updating a BDBN is easy. Simply:

  1. Download a BDBN form for NEOS Protection or Encompass Protection
  2. Complete the form, outlining who the client wants to receive the death benefit from super
  3. Sign and witness the form, making sure the two witnesses are aged over 18 and not a beneficiary nominated on the form, or it will be defective and the trustee won’t be bound by their wishes
  4. Email the completed form to customerservice@neoslife.com.au

The BDBN will apply to the super fund and trustees immediately.

As always, if you have any questions speak to your dedicated NEOS service consultant or BDM.

The colouring competition is back!

Just in time for the school holidays, we’re bringing back the NEOS colouring competition.

We’d love for your kids (or even you!) to join in – whether it’s to create a masterpiece or simply to enjoy a little quiet time while the colouring keeps the kids busy.

The competition opens day, date, with winners announced on day, date. You can find the full terms and conditions here.

How to enter:

  1. Choose one of our designs
  2. Get creative and bring it to life with colour
  3. Submit your artwork

Best of luck, and happy colouring!