Frequently Asked Questions

Article last updated: 15/07/09

Q. What is North?

North is an investment, superannuation and pension offer from AXA Australia.

What sets North apart from our competitors is our unique guarantee options – the Protected Growth guarantee and the Protected Investment guarantee.

For the first time in Australia, investors can access a 100% guarantee for protection from one of the biggest investing issues – market volatility.

Q. Can you describe North’s philosophy in a nutshell?

We began designing North over two years ago, based on the success of similar protected products in the Global AXA Group’s portfolio.

In our view, when it comes to investing, there is always an element of risk which makes investors uncomfortable. To address this, North takes the fear out of investing. North helps to eliminate emotional reactions to market movements, helping investors to avoid trying to time the market, avoid herding, be comfortable with risk, and save more.

Essentially, through our guarantees, an investor's Proteced Balance will not reduce, but they will still have access to market growth.

Q. What are the North ‘guarantees’?

The Protected Investment guarantee is available over terms of 5 and 7 years. It guarantees to protect your initial capital and any additional contributions that you make*.

The Protected Growth guarantee is available over terms of 10, 15 and 20 years. It protects your initial capital and any additional contributions that you make*. It will also lock-in any positive market growth in your portfolio on an annual basis.

With our unique risk management technique, North is the only guaranteed product in Australia where investors remain fully invested (100% participation, always) in growth assets of their choice, regardless of market conditions.

Importantly, selecting either of the guarantees can help you accelerate your investment, superannuation or pension strategy by increasing your exposure to growth assets without the downside risk that ordinarily accompanies them.

If you feel that you no longer require the guarantee, you can simply turn it off at your discretion without affecting your assets or policy.

Q How does market performance affect how I benefit from the North guarantees?

It’s helpful to look at the North guarantees in two scenarios:

Scenario 1: If the market falls over your investment term, your guaranteed North Super, Investment or Pension Protected Balance is fully protected, and at a minimum, you will receive your initial investment amount at the end of the term*.

Scenario 2: If the market rises over your investment term, your North Super, Investment or Pension account will grow accordingly because your money has remained invested in growth assets of your choice. You will receive the full value of this growth at the end of the term.

Q How can I access the North guarantees?

The North guarantees can be accessed via:

North Investment (Investor Directed Portfolio Service),
North Personal Superannuation
North Personal Pension.

By investing in one of the above options and selecting the Protected Growth or Protected Investment guarantee, you will be able to fully protect your capital.

North Investment has been designed primarily for SMSF trustees, looking to protect part or all of their market investment.

Q How do I start a North account?

To enter a North Investment, Superannuation or Pension plan, you need to speak with your financial adviser.

You adviser will help you determine your initial investment amount, any ongoing contributions or withdrawals, the term and type of guarantee that you choose, as well as the investment strategy that best suits your needs.

If you don’t have a financial adviser, please click here to search for a qualified adviser in your local area.

Q Can I use a ‘transition to retirement’ strategy with a North guarantee?

Yes, North can be used as a vehicle for a ‘transition to retirement’ strategy.

A ‘transition to retirement’ strategy allows Australians who have reached ‘preservation age’ (currently 55), and who are still working, the opportunity to boost their retirement savings through the tax advantages of salary sacrifice, while supplementing their income by accessing some of their retirement savings

The North Protected Growth guarantee has been designed with this strategy in mind. For more information on how you can potentially take advantage of a ‘transition to retirement’ strategy and protect your retirement savings with North’s Protected Growth guarantee, speak with your financial adviser.

Q Can I invest in a guaranteed North super account if I’m not sure when I want to retire?

The North guarantee options provide you with flexibility. You can remain in superannuation and make contributions, or switch to pension and receive pension payments at any time – all without impacting your chosen guarantee or original investment term.

Additionally, North Personal Superannuation with the Protected Growth guarantee offers the option to select a transitional guarantee period. The transitional period gives you full flexibility around your eventual retirement date and the commencement of the nominated term.

For more information on how you can help plan your retirement future using North, speak with your financial adviser.

Q Can I view and update my information online?

Yes. North offers an easy-to-use online website that means checking your investments, making contributions and updating your details are only a click away.

In addition, you can speak with one of our dedicated team in the North Service Centre: