CSE to educate pensioners on sustainable financial planning

Friday, 30 January 2015 00:13 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) is to launch an awareness program to provide pensioners with a sound understanding of personal financial planning. The CSE entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Department of Pensions; to educate retired personnel on the diverse avenues of investment available to them.

Director General of Pensions S.S. Hettiarachchi and CSE CEO Rajeeva Bandaranaike at the signing of the MoU. CSE Head of Market Development Niroshan Wijesundere, CSE Investor Education Executive Asiri Peramunugama, Director of Pensions K.R. Padmapriya, Assistant Director of Pensions R.M.A.I. Rathnayaka and Legal Officer (Actg.) Wathsala Rathnayaka were also present at the event The CSE is commitment towards ensuring that all socio-economic segments have a thorough understanding of prudent investment opportunities, in order to minimise their risks and maximise their returns. Reaching out to the community of retired persons, is an extension of this course of action; to ensure that their savings are channelled in a manner that provides them the most sustainable returns. In light of the prevailing low interest rates provided by banks, investment in corporate debt and unit trusts is seen as a more lucrative avenue of investment. These avenues of investment provides stability with fixed rates of return. Educational professionals from the CSE will concentrate their efforts on inculcating sound principals of financial management within the community of retired professionals. The educational programs conducted will offer a balanced overview of both the risks and returns of investment in all financial instruments. A series of programs will be organised, island wide, through the CSE’s regional branch network to educate pensioners. These programs will begin in January and continue throughout the year, providing continuous education to retired persons; building on the principals of personal financial planning. These programs are seen as a hand-holding exercise and will focus on educating investors on the merits of investing in corporate debt and unit trusts. It is thought prudent to focus on these investment products, in light of the risk averse nature of investors within an older demographic. Investment in corporate debt and unit trusts is seen as a more stable avenue of investment, as opposed to direct investment in equity, that provides higher returns, with lower risks and therefore the education programs will be targeted at the audience that is seen to gain the highest benefit from such an investment philosophy. Pensioners will be provided with educational material that will offer an introduction to the various investment products available, the merits and demerits of each and the basic tenants of investment such as maintaining a conservative risk profile and diversification of investment portfolios. The program is seen as an ideal way of presenting pensioners with a new avenue of investment; which offers them greater engagement and control, of the method in which their funds grow and earn returns.