WO2012054952A1

WO2012054952A1 - Investment monitoring system

Info

Publication number: WO2012054952A1
Application number: PCT/AU2010/001450
Authority: WO
Inventors: Peter Morrison-Dowd
Original assignee: Hopkins Pass Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2010-10-29
Filing date: 2010-10-29
Publication date: 2012-05-03
Also published as: AU2016200835A1; AU2010362894A1; AU2018200131A1

Abstract

A computer-implemented method of optimising a value of a user's investment portfolio based on a user profile for said user, said method comprising: (i) accessing, from said user profile, target value data representing a target value of said portfolio to be achieved within a predetermined future timeframe, and portfolio data identifying one or more assets of said portfolio; (ii) generating a projected value of said portfolio within said timeframe based on valuation data, including performance data representing a historical rate of return for each of said assets; (iii) accessing configuration data and user preference data for a plurality of predetermined investment optimisation strategies, said configuration data including data representing one or more variable parameters associated with each of said strategies and -data representing rules for generating a value of said portfolio based on one or more of said parameters, said user preference data from said user profile including data representing a range of user defined values associated with each of said parameters; (iv) generating, based on said configuration data and said user preference data, recommended values for each of said parameters for increasing said projected value to minimise a difference between said projected value and said target value; and (v) generating a user display interface for displaying one or more of said recommended values to said user.

Description

I

INVESTMENT MONITORING SYSTEM FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The field relates to a system and method of optimising a value of a user's investment portfolio based on a user profile for that user. The invention is particularly useful in relation to optimising the value of a superannuation investment portfolio, and it will therefore be convenient to describe the invention in that environment. However, it should be understood that the invention is intended for broader application and use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A financial investment refers to an arrangement where an investor (e.g. an entity or person) provides a sum of money to an investment vehicle with the expectation of receiving a profit or gain after a certain period of time. For example, the profit or gain from an investment may include an increase in the value of an asset over an investment period. However, investments are often associated with an element of risk representing the potential for an investment to produce an undesirable result for the investor, such as resulting in loss (e.g. a decrease in monetary value invested in an asset) or liability to the investor. Assessing such risk is difficult as it may involve considering a variety of objective factors, many of which may not be generally relevant to all types of financial transactions. Further, such assessment of risk may also depend on subjective factors, which will differ between investors as each may have different investment objectives and/or different perceptions or sensitivities to risk.

An investment portfolio is the term commonly used to describe the collection or pool of financial investments held by an investor. In order to mitigate the risks and uncertainty associated with investing, an investment portfolio may comprise a diversity of financial investments. This is particularly true of investment portfolios that are structured to provide an investor with income upon retirement. Such investment portfolios will commonly comprise combinations of different risk-reward financial investments, ranging from "low risk, low yield" to "high risk, high yield", or different types of income streams.

In many developed countries, governments have instituted compulsory schemes which require individuals to contribute regular investments, in order to provide themselves with an income upon retirement. One such country is Australia, which implemented the 'Superannuation Guarantee' system in 1992. This system includes a compulsory element whereby employers are required by law to pay an additional amount, based on a proportion (currently 9%) of an employee's salary, into an approved superannuation fund. In addition, the system also allows employees to make voluntary contributions to the superannuation fund. The accrued investment, made up of compulsory and voluntary superannuation contributions, can then be accessed by the employee upon reaching a certain age, which is prescribed in the relevant legislation.

While such compulsory investment schemes force employees to invest for their retirement, it is left up to the individual to calculate whether their superannuation investment will be sufficient to support their financial needs in their retirement. Even if an individual has some concept of the superannuation investment they will likely require to meet their financial needs at retirement, it is often difficult to calculate the contributions that will be required in order to realise that investment target.

It is therefore desired to address one or more of the above problems, or to at least provide a useful alternative to existing investment monitoring systems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer- implemented method of optimising a value of a user's investment portfolio based on a user profile for said user, said method comprising:

(i) accessing, from said user profile, target value data representing a target value of said portfolio to be achieved within a predetermined future timeframe, and portfolio data identifying one or more assets of said portfolio;

(ii) generating a projected value of said portfolio within said timeframe based on valuation data, including performance data representing a historical rate of return for each of said assets;

(iii) accessing configuration data and user preference data for a plurality of predetermined investment optimisation strategies, said configuration data including data representing one or more variable parameters associated with each of said strategies and data representing rules for generating a value of said portfolio based on one or more of said parameters, said user preference data from said user profile including data representing a range of user defined values associated with each of said parameters; (iv) generating, based on said configuration data and said user preference data, recommended values for each of said parameters for increasing said projected value to minimise a difference between said projected value and said target value; and

(v) generating a user display interface for displaying one or more of said recommended values to said user.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer- implemented system of optimising a value of a user's investment portfolio based on a user profile for said user, said system comprising:

(i) means for accessing, from said user profile, target value data representing a target value of said portfolio to be achieved within a predetermined future timeframe, and portfolio data identifying one or more assets of said portfolio;

(ii) means for generating a projected value of said portfolio within said timeframe based on valuation data, including performance data representing a historical rate of return for each of said assets;

(iii) means for accessing configuration data and user preference data for a plurality of predetermined investment optimisation strategies, said configuration data including data representing one or more variable parameters associated with each of said strategies and data representing rules for generating a value of said portfolio based on one or more of said parameters, said user preference data from said user profile including data representing a range of user defined values associated with each of said parameters;

(iv) means for generating, based on said configuration data and said user preference data, recommended values for each of said parameters for increasing said projected value to minimise a difference between said projected value and said target value; and

(v) means for generating a user display interface for displaying one or more of said recommended values to said user.

According to a still further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer- implemented system of optimising a value of a user's investment portfolio based on a user profile for said user, said system comprising one or more computers including: at least one processor;

an interface between said processor and a data network;

a database for containing information relating to said user profile and said user's investment portfolio; and

at least one storage medium operatively coupled to said processor, said storage medium containing program instructions for execution by said processor, said program instructions causing said processor to execute the steps of:

(i) accessing, from said user profile stored in said database, target value data representing a target value of said portfolio to be achieved within a predetermined future timeframe, and portfolio data identifying one or more assets of said portfolio;

(iii) accessing from said database, configuration data and user preference data for a plurality of predetermined investment optimisation strategies, said configuration data including data representing one or more variable parameters associated with each of said strategies and data representing rules for generating a value of said portfolio based on one or more of said parameters, said user preference data from said user profile including data representing a range of user defined values associated with each of said parameters;

(iv) generating, based on said configuration data and said user preference data, recommended values for each of said parameters for increasing said projected value to minimise a difference between said projected value and said target value; and

(v) generating a user display interface for displaying, via said data network, one or more of said recommended values to said user.

According to a still further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a tangible computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions stored thereon for performing a method of optimising a value of a user's investment portfolio based on a user profile for said user, said method comprising: (i) accessing, from said user profile, target value data representing a target value of said portfolio to be achieved within a predetermined future timeframe, and portfolio data identifying one or more assets of said portfolio;

(iii) accessing configuration data and user preference data for a plurality of predetermined investment optimisation strategies, said configuration data including data representing one or more variable parameters associated with each of said strategies and data representing rules for generating a value of said portfolio based on one or more of said parameters, said user preference data from said user profile including data representing a range of user defined values associated with each of said parameters;

(iv) generating, based on . said configuration data and said user preference data, recommended values for each of said parameters for increasing said projected value to minimise a difference between said projected value and said target value; and

According to a still further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer- implemented method of optimising a value of a user's investment portfolio based on a user profile for said user, said method comprising:

(ii) generating a projected value of said portfolio within said timeframe based on risk profile data from said user profile, and valuation data including performance data representing a historical rate of return for each of said assets;

(iii) accessing configuration data and user preference data for a plurality of predetermined investment optimisation strategies, said configuration data including data representing one or more variable parameters associated with each of said strategies and data representing rules for generating a value for said portfolio based on one or more of said parameters, said user preference data from said user profile including data representing a range of user defined values associated with each of said parameters;

According to a still further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer- implemented system of optimising a value of a user's investment portfolio based on a user profile for said user, said system comprising:

(ii) means for generating a projected value of said portfolio within said timeframe based on risk profile data from said user profile, and valuation data including performance data representing a historical rate of return for each of said assets;

(iii) means for access configuration data and user preference data for a plurality of predetermined investment optimisation strategies, said configuration data including data representing one or more variable parameters associated with each of said strategies and data representing rules for generating a value for said portfolio based on one or more of said parameters, said user preference data from said user profile including data representing a range of user defined values associated with each of said parameters;

(iv) means for generating, based on said configuration data and said user preference data, recommended values for each of said parameters for increasing said projected value to minimise a difference between said projected value and said target value; and (v) means for generating a user display interface for displaying one or more of said recommended values to said user.

According to a still further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer- implemented system of optimising a value of a user's investment portfolio based on a user profile for said user, said system comprising one or more computers including:

at least one processor;

an interface between said processor and a data network;

(iii) accessing from said database, configuration data and user preference data for a plurality of predetermined investment optimisation strategies, said configuration data including data representing one or more variable parameters associated with each of said strategies and data representing rules for generating a value for said portfolio based on one or more of said parameters, said user preference data from said user profile including data representing a range of user defined values

. associated with each of said parameters;

(iv) generating, based on said configuration data and said user preference data, recommended values for each of said parameters for increasing said projected value to minimise a difference between said projected value and said target value; and (v) generating a user display interface for displaying, via said data network, one or more of said recommended values to said user.

According to a still further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a tangible computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions stored thereon for performing a method of optimising a value of a user's investment portfolio based on a user profile for said user, said method comprising:

(iii) access configuration data and user preference data for a plurality of predetermined investment optimisation strategies, said configuration data including data representing one or more variable parameters associated with each of said strategies and data representing rules for generating a value for said portfolio based on one or more of said parameters, said user preference data from said user profile including data representing a range of user defined values associated with each of said parameters;

(iv) generating based on said configuration data and said user preference data, recommended values for each of said parameters for increasing said projected value to minimise a difference between said projected value and said target value; and

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Representative embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. These embodiments are given by way of illustration only and other embodiments of the invention are possible. Consequently, the particularity of the accompanying drawings is not to be understood as superseding the generality of the preceding description. In the drawings: Figure 1 is a schematic block diagram of a system of optimising a value of a user's investment portfolio in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a flow chart illustrating a preferred method of optimising a value of a user's investment portfolio in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 is a flow chart illustrating the calculation of a projected value of an investment portfolio in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating a user notification monitoring process used in a preferred form of the method of the present invention;

Figure 5 to 16 are examples of graphical user interfaces generated and used in a preferred form of the method of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF REPRESENTATIVE EMBODIMENTS

Representative embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The invention is particularly useful in relation to optimising the value of a superannuation investment portfolio, and it will therefore be convenient to describe the invention in that environment; However, it should be understood that the invention is intended for broader application and use.

A superannuation investment portfolio commonly includes a collection or pool of financial investments held by an investor. In many instances, an investor's superannuation investment portfolio is managed by a registered superannuation fund that, at least partly, controls the way in which an investor's funds are invested.

Figure 1 illustrates an exemplary system 100 in which preferred embodiments of the invention may be implemented. The system includes a server 102 and at least one user terminal 104, both of which are connected to a network 106, which may be, for example, the Internet. Also connected to the network 106 are a plurality of user terminals and/or servers, e.g. 108, 1 10.

It will be appreciated that Figure 1 depicts the system 100 schematically only, and is not intended to limit the technology employed in the servers, user terminals and/or communication links. The user terminals in particular may be wired or wireless devices, and their connections to the network may utilize various technologies and bandwidths. For example, applicable user terminals include (without limitation): PC's with wired (e.g. LAN, cable, ADSL .dial-up) or wireless (e.g. WLAN, cellular) connections; and wireless portable/handheld devices such as PDA's or mobile/cellular telephones. These devices also include input means, such as a mouse and keyboard, stylus or other pointing device or system, to enable the users to make selections and input data. The protocols and interfaces between the user terminals and the servers may also vary according to available technologies, and include (again without limitation): wired TCP IP (Internet) protocols; GPRS, WAP and/or 3G protocols (for handheld cellular devices); Short Message Service (SMS) messaging for digital mobile/cellular devices; and/or proprietary communications protocols.

The server 102 includes at least one processor 1 12 as well as a database 1 14, which would typically be stored on a secondary storage device of the server 102, such as one or more hard disk drives. Server 102 further includes at least one storage medium 1 16, typically being a suitable type of memory, such as random access memory, for containing program instructions and transient data related to the operation of the valuation system as well as other necessary functions of the server 102. In particular, memory 116 contains a body of program instructions 1 18 implementing the method and system in accordance with preferred embodiments of the invention. The body of program instructions 118 includes instructions for optimising a value of a user's investment portfolio based on a user profile for said user, the operation of which will be described hereafter.

It should be appreciated that the hardware used to implement the method of the invention may be conventional in nature or specifically designed for the purpose. The hardware structure shown in Figure 1 is merely one possible embodiment and any other suitable structure may be utilised.

Figure 2 is a flowchart 200 which illustrates a preferred method of optimising a value of a user's investment portfolio based on a user profile for that user, in accordance with the present invention. In accordance with this general method, a preliminary step 210 includes obtaining information from a user in order to complete a user profile. A user's profile data may include:

• personal data representing personal details of the user. These details may include user authentication details (e.g. a unique user identifier and password), details contact address, billing address, contact number, gender, income bracket, contact details of the user's financial adviser/planner, a consent authorisation allowing the system 100 to generate alert messages to the user's financial adviser/planner; • portfolio data representing the details of one or more investment products that make up the user's investment portfolio. These details may include a unique product identifier or product name (e.g. the APIR code of the superannuation fund), and any other user-specific parameters associated with the investment portfolio; · target value data representing a target value of the user's superannuation investment portfolio to be achieved within a predetermined future timeframe; and

• risk profile data representing the user's sensitivity to investment risk (e.g. based on data representing a total score value, risk category and/or risk allocation as described below).

The collection of such information from the user, and subsequent presentation of information to the user, is preferably facilitated through a website. The step 212 of collecting the user's personal data involves presenting the user with a webpage, one example of which is illustrated in Figure 6. On this webpage the user will typically enter their personal data, such as their name, date of birth, contact information, and the name and contact details of their financial adviser (if available). On a further webpage, an example of which is illustrated in Figure 7, the user will be required to enter details relating to their current superannuation investment portfolio, including the name of their superannuation fund and preferably the corresponding APIR code. A large proportion of this information may already be stored in the database 114 if the user has an existing account with the monitoring service operating the webpage, in which case a number of these fields would be pre-populated by the system 100.

On a series of further webpages, examples of which are illustrated in Figures 8 and 9, the user will be required to enter their income details. Such information may include a description of the income source (e.g. the user's occupation), an indication of whether this income source is derived from the user's primary occupation, annual gross income or annual net income, the desired monitoring frequency, the compulsory superannuation rate (e.g. Superannuation Guarantee Levy), details of their superannuation fund (including the APIR code), and . Additionally, the user may also provide details of their non-compulsory superannuation investment contributions as either a fixed amount or a percentage of their gross or net income.

A further step 214 of collecting a user's personal data involves presenting the user with a webpage, one example of which is illustrated in Figure 10, in order to obtain information related to their expenses. This information may include the type of expense (e.g. home expenditure, living expenditure, transportation expenditure etc.), and the desired monitoring frequency (e.g. fortnightly, monthly, quarterly, annually). In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, this expense information may be presented to the user in a graphical form, an example of which is shown in Figure 1 1

An optional step 216 involves obtaining information from the user in relation to their superannuation insurance details. This information may include the amount of cover secured by the insurance policy, the rate amount required to be payed on the policy, and the desired monitoring frequency (e.g. fortnightly, monthly, quarterly, annually).

In addition to the personal data, the user is also required to enter target value data representing a target value of the user's superannuation investment portfolio to be achieved within a predetermined future timeframe. In this step 218, the user is required to provide details of their retirement goal (i.e. the amount of superannuation investment they hope to have accrued by the time of retirement), the planned date of their retirement (i.e. their desired retirement age), the desired monitoring frequency (e.g. fortnightly, monthly, quarterly, annually), and their date of birth (if not already provided). An example of a webpage used to collect such information is illustrated in Figure 12.

The risk profile data, which is optionally provided by the user, may represent the user's sensitivity to risk in different ways. In one representative embodiment, the risk profile data represents a number (e.g. a total score value) generated by the system 100 based on the user's selected response to one or more questions (or activities or challenges) for assessing the user's likely investment period, investment objectives, expected outcome from investments, and likely sensitivity or aversion to investment risk (e.g. the risk of a loss in the value of an investment). The number represented by the risk profile data can be used to generate respective upper bound and lower bound values for each attribute of the product defined in the configuration data of the system 100 (or alternatively a single comparison value) based on the acts described with references to Tables 1 to 5.

In another, representative embodiment, the number generated by the system 100 (as described above) is compared with a general range of possible scores. The general range is divided into several discrete brackets, each bracket being associated with a different risk category (e.g. as one of defensive, moderately defensive, balanced, growth or high growth). An example is show in Table 1 below for a general range of 0 to 5. Depending on the value of the number generated by the system 100, the number will fall into a different bracket, which determines the risk category applicable to the user. In this embodiment, the risk profile data includes risk category data representing a risk category applicable to the user. The risk category can be used to generate respective upper bound and lower bound values for each attribute of the product defined in the configuration data of the system 100 (or alternatively a single comparison value) based on the acts described with reference to Tables 2 to 5.

Table 1 In another representative embodiment, the risk profile data includes risk allocation data representing a different predetermined value for each attribute defined in the configuration data for the system 100. Table 2 provides an example of the predetermined values for different attributes defined based on asset type (e.g. based on Table 1) for different risk categories of a user (e.g. based on the total score value). Table 3 provides an example of the predetermined values for different attributes defined based on asset performance for different risk categories of a user (e.g. based on the total score value). The respective range for each attributes represented by the risk allocation data can be used to generate respective upper bound and lower bound values for each attribute of the product defined in the configuration data of the system 100 (or alternatively a single comparison value) based on the acts described with reference to Table 4 to 5. Asset Defensive Moderately Balanced Growth High defensive growth

Cash 20% 10% 4% 2% 1%

Domestic fixed 30% 23% 15% 8% 0% interest

International fixed 8% 17% 1 1% 5% 0% interest

Domestic property 14% 10% 10% 10% 5%

Domestic shares 8% 22% 34% 43% 45%

International shares 8% 18% 26% 32% 49%

Table 2

Asset Defensive Moderately Balanced Growth High defensive growth

Defensive 70% 50% 30% 15% 1%

Growth 30% 50% 70% 85% 99%

Table 3

In another representative embodiment, the risk profile data includes risk allocation data representing a different range of values for each of the attributes defined in the configuration data for the system 100. Table 4 provides an example of the predetermined ranges of values associated with each attribute defined in the configuration data for the system 100. Each range is defined by a respective upper bound value and lower bound value. A fixed predetermined range may be defined for each attribute based on the risk category of the user (e.g. based on the Table 1). Alternatively, the range for each attribute may be defined relative to the predetermined values for each attribute (e.g. based on either Tables 2 or 3) for a user of a particular risk category (e.g. based on Table 1). For example, depending on the risk category of the user, the relative difference between the upper bound value and lower bound value for each attribute (relative to the reference value for the attribute from Tables 2 or 3) may each be different and may be independently defined by the configuration data for the system 100. Asset Balanced Acceptable Range

Cash 4% 3 - 6%

Domestic fixed interest 15% 10 - 20%

International fixed interest 1 1% 10 - 12%

Domestic property 10% 8 - 12%

Domestic shares 34% 25 - 50%

International shares 26% 20 - 35%

Table 4

As an alternative to Table 4, the risk profile data may include risk allocation data representing a single comparison value (shown as the "Average" value in Table 5) generated by the system 100. The comparison value may be generated based on the actual relative allocation of the assets of the product across each of the attributes defined in the configuration data for the system 100 (which may be defined by product allocation data in the product data for a product), and also the predetermined values for each attribute (e.g. based on either Tables 2 or 3) for a user of a particular risk category (e.g. based on Table 1). The values in the sector deviation column in Table 5 can be generated based on an absolute percentage difference between the values in the product allocation field and the values in the balanced field. For example, the sector deviation value for the cash attribute can be generated by dividing an absolute difference between the values in the product allocation and balanced fields (i.e. 2.7% - 4%) by the value in the balanced field (i.e. 4%), and then multiplying the result by 100%. The values in the balanced field in Table 5 can be substituted with the values for the corresponding attributes defined in either Tables 2 or 3. The comparison value (corresponding to the average field in Table 5) can be generated by taking an average of the sector deviation values for each attribute in Table 5.

Table 5 As is it common for individual investors to use financial advisory services, it should be understood that any of the above user profile information, portfolio data, target value data, or risk profile data could be provided by a financial adviser on behalf of the individual investor. As such information is received, the system 100 causes such information to be stored in the database 1 14 for future use.

Once this information has been received, the system 100 then performs the step 220 of generating a projected value of the user's superannuation investment portfolio. This includes the initial step 222 of retrieving, from the database 1 14, the user's date of birth, retirement goal amount, and desired retirement age. It is then necessary to perform the step 224 of accessing the performance data of the user's superannuation fund, which includes the historical rate of return for each of the assets in the user's superannuation investment portfolio. The final step 226, which is detailed in Figure 3, involves the calculation of the estimated funds (i.e. the projected value) that will be available to the user upon retirement, based upon the current information.

As shown in Figure 3, the calculation of the estimated retirement funds includes the optional preliminary step 270 of accessing the user's investment risk profile, which includes the risk profile data outlined above. This data is used to determine the most appropriate period of return for which to complete the projection value calculations. For example, if the user's investment risk profile indicates that they have a 'High Risk' investment portfolio (i.e. an investment portfolio focused on asset growth), then the system 100 at step 272 will use a 1-year return when calculating the estimated retirement funds. If the user's investment risk profile indicates that they have a balanced investment portfolio, then the system 100 at step 274 will use a 3-year return when calculating the estimated retirement funds. Finally, if the user's investment risk profile indicates that they a 'Low Risk' investment portfolio (i.e. a moderately defensive, low growth, investment portfolio), then a 5-year return will be used when calculating the estimated retirement funds.

Additionally, at steps 272, 274 or 276, the system 100 takes into account the performance data of the user's specified superannuation fund, which includes the fund unit pricing for the period of the calculation. For example, the system 100 may use performance data for a historical period of 1, 3 or 5 years. Alternatively, and provided that such information exists, the system 100 at step 280 may use all available historical performance data corresponding to the user's specified superannuation fund. In calculating the estimated retirement funds based on the above information, the system 100 at step 286 may also take into account available data related to one or more of the following factors:

• superannuation fund fees (as shown at step 282) which represent the administration and/or management fees that are payable by the user to their specified superannuation fund;

• financial advisory fees (as shown at step 284) which represent the fixed or variable service fees that are payable to the user's financial adviser;

• concessional contribution requirements which, for example, specify that the concessional cap for individuals under 50 is indexed to the average weekly ordinary time earnings (AWOTE), and then rounded down to the nearest multiple of $5,000, and that the concessional cap for individuals over 50 is $50,000 per annum;

• non-concessional restrictions which, for example, specify that individuals are allowed to contribute $150,000 per annum, or $450,000 over three years (with a maximum possible contribution of $450,000 in a single year under the "bring forward" rule);

• government co-contribution schemes which can be used to develop an alternate contribution strategy for a user that satisfies the relevant eligibility criteria;

· lump-sum contributions which take into account both the concessional and non- concessional contribution caps stipulated by the relevant regulatory body;

• aged pension qualification requirements which specify the age at which individuals become eligible for the aged pension;

• aged pension asset/income tests which specify an individual's (or couple's) eligibility for the aged pension based upon an assessment of their measured income and/or assets;

• aged pension payment rates which specify the pension amount that is payable to an eligible individual upon reaching the qualification age for the aged pension;

• deeming rates which take into threshold limits on income sources from financial investments; and • individual income tax rates which are used to calculate the amount of income tax payable on an individual's fixed income.

Based upon a combination of this information, the system 100 at step 286 calculates the estimated retirement funds (i.e. the projected value of a user's superannuation investment portfolio at their desired date of retirement).

Referring again to Figure 2, the system 100 at step 230 performs a comparison of the target value for the user's superannuation investment portfolio, with the projected value of the user's superannuation investment portfolio. If the projected value of the user's superannuation investment portfolio is less than the target value, the system 100 generates a number of investment optimisation strategies which, also at step 230, are presented to the user in the form of an alert message. These investment optimisation strategies take into account the information used to calculate the projected value of the investment portfolio, and provide the user with option to increase their contributions as to meet their desired retirement goal (i.e. the target value of their superannuation investment portfolio).

Preferably, the alert message will be transmitted to the user by short message service (SMS) and/or email message. It is also preferable that the email message contains a URL link to a webpage containing the various investment optimisation strategies. An example of such a webpage is illustrated in Figure 13.

The investment optimisation strategies presented to the user may include one or more of the following:

(1) an option to increase concessional contributions by a specified amount (e.g. $41 per week), as shown at step 242;

(2) an option to increase non-concessional contributions by a specified amount (e.g. 35 per week), as shown at step 244;

(3) an option to customise the investment optimisation strategy by combining or modifying the various contribution options, as shown at step 232; and

(4) an option to maintain the current investment contribution strategy, as shown at step 248.

If the user selects either of options (1) or (2), then the system 100 at step 250 presents the user with a webpage which requires the user to confirm their selection. An example of such a webpage is illustrated at Figure 14_; This webpage may also include a graphical representation of the new projected value of the user's superannuation investment portfolio based upon the implementation of the selected investment optimisation strategy.

If the user selects option (3), then the system 100 at step 246 presents the user with a webpage which allows a user to customize their superannuation investment contributions. An example of such a webpage is illustrated at Figure 15. The user then has the ability to make adjustments to one or more of their concessional contributions, non-concessional contributions, and lump-sum contributions. It is preferable that the system 100 will alert the user if their selection of desired contributions exceeds the government contribution caps. It is also possible for the user to make adjustments with respect to the historical performance data of their specified superannuation fund that is used in the projected value calculations. Finally, the user may also be provided with the option to delay their customized investment contribution strategy by a predefined number of years. Based upon the user's modifications to these various options, the system 100 performs a real-time calculation of the new projected value of the user's superannuation investment portfolio, and this new projected value is presented to the user on the webpage. Once the user has decided upon a desirable investment contribution strategy, it is then possible for the user to confirm this strategy.

If option (4) is selected by the user, then no further action will be taken, and the user will be re-directed to the homepage.

For each of options (1), (2) or (3), once the user has confirmed their optimisation investment strategy, they are presented, at step 260, with a webpage which includes one or one or more of:

• verification of the optimisation investment strategy selected, and confirmation of the time and date on which the selection was made; and

· an option to send notification of the selection to the user's specified financial adviser, together with a request for a Statement of Advice.

An example of such a webpage is illustrated at Figure 16. If the user selects the option to send the notification to their specified financial adviser, then the system 100 causes an email message (or similar alert message) to be transmitted to the financial adviser. This email message contains details of the user's selection of optimisation investment strategy, together with the request for a Statement of Advice. As discussed above, at step 230, if the projected value of the user's superannuation investment portfolio is less than the target value, the system 100 generates an alert message to the user in the form of an email message and/or SMS. An optional process 400 of monitoring the alert message sent to the user is shown in Figure 4. This process commences with the step 402 of generating and transmitting an alert message (e.g. 'Quickview' notification) to the user. The system 100 then monitors the status of the alert message and, preferably, whether an embedded URL link in the alert message has been activated by the user. More specifically, at step 404, the system 100 monitors whether the user has taken any action (i.e. a selection of an optimised investment strategy or a rejection of proposed options) within 7 days from the date of transmittal of the alert message. If such an action been performed by the user, then at step 410 the system 100 sends notification of the user's selection to their specified financial adviser.

If the user does not take any action within 7 days from transmittal of the alert message, then the system 100 at step 406 sends a reminder alert message to the user via email and/or SMS. If the system 100 at step 408 determines that the user has taken action within 7 days from the transmittal of this reminder alert message, then the process 400 proceeds to step 410 as described above. Alternatively, if the system 100 at step 408 determines that the user has not taken action with 7 days from the transmittal of the reminder alert message, then the system 100 at step 412 sends an alert contact message to the user's specified financial adviser including a request for the financial adviser to contact the user.

Optionally, after either step 410 or step 412, and in response to notification of the user's selection of investment optimisation strategy, the user's financial adviser generates a Statement of Advice and sends this to the user. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the system 100 may send an send a preliminary SMS message to the user to notify them that their financial adviser has reviewed their selected investment optimisation strategy, and desired retirement goal amount.

When an existing user returns to the homepage, they will preferably be provided with a summary of their current superannuation investment portfolio, including an indication of whether the projected value of their superannuation investment portfolio meets with their target value (i.e. desired retirement goal amount). An example of such a webpage is illustrated at Figure 5. Modifications and improvements to the invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Such modifications and improvements are intended to be within the scope of this invention.

The word 'comprising' and forms of the word 'comprising' as used in this description and in the claims does not limit the invention claimed to exclude any variants or additions.

In this specification, including the background section, where a document, act or item of knowledge is referred to or discussed, this reference or discussion is not an admission that the document, act or item of knowledge or any combination thereof was at the priority date, publicly available, known to the public, part of common general knowledge, or known to be relevant to an attempt to solve any problem with which this specification is concerned.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method of optimising a value of a user's investment portfolio based on a user profile for said user, said method comprising:

(Hi) accessing configuration data and user preference data for a plurality of predetermined investment optimisation strategies, said configuration data including data representing one or more variable parameters associated with each of said strategies and data representing rules for generating a value of said portfolio based on one or more of said parameters, said user preference data from said user profile including data representing a range of user defined values associated with each of said parameters;

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein step (ii) includes: accessing, from said user profile, risk profile data representing said user's threshold level of investment risk for said portfolio; and generating said projected value based on said performance data and said risk profile data, wherein said projected value is generated based on said performance data captured over a shorter period of time when said user's risk profile data represents a higher threshold for risk, and said projected value is generated based on said performance data captured over a longer period of time when said user's risk profile data represents a lower threshold for risk.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein said valuation data further includes fees data representing a total value of any fees and disbursements associated with the management of said portfolio.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined investment optimisation strategies include one or more of the following: increasing said user's concessional contributions to said portfolio; increasing said user's non-concessional contributions to said portfolio; and increasing a lump sum contribution to said portfolio; wherein, said configuration data includes data representing a value of said contributions corresponding to each of said strategies.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein said recommended values for each of said parameters are generated to fall within the corresponding ranges for each of said parameters defined by said user preference data.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein said user display interface includes one or more adjustable user interface components to allow said user to modify said recommended values for one or more of said parameters, said method further including generating an updated projected value in response to an adjustment to any of said user interface components.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein said user interface components allow said user to set a new recommended value for each of said parameters, said new recommended value being outside of the range of values defined in said user preference data.

8. The method according to claim 1 , wherein step (v) includes generating a report instead of said user display interface.

9. A computer-implemented system of optimising a value of a user's investment portfolio based on a user profile for said user, said system comprising: (i) means for accessing, from said user profile, target value data representing a target value of said portfolio to be achieved within a predetermined future timeframe, and portfolio data identifying one or more assets of said portfolio;

A computer-implemented system of optimising a value of a user's investment portfolio based on a user profile for said user, said system comprising one or more computers including: at least one processor; an interface between said processor and a data network; a database for containing information relating to said user profile and said user's investment portfolio; and at least one storage medium operatively coupled to said processor, said storage medium containing program instructions for execution by said processor, said program instructions causing said processor to execute the steps of: (i) accessing, from said user profile stored in said database, target value data representing a target value of said portfolio to be achieved within a predetermined future timeframe, and portfolio data identifying one or more assets of said portfolio;

(Hi) accessing from said database, configuration data and user preference data for a plurality of predetermined investment optimisation strategies, said configuration data including data representing one or more variable parameters associated with each of said strategies and data representing rules for generating a value of said portfolio based on one or more of said parameters, said user preference data from said user profile including data representing a range of user defined values associated with each of said parameters;

(v) generating a user display interface for displaying, via said data network, one or more of said recommended values to said user. 1. A tangible computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions stored thereon for performing a method of optimising a value of a user's investment portfolio based on a user profile for said user, said method comprising:

(ii) generating a projected value of said portfolio within said timeframe based on valuation data, including performance data representing a historical rate of return for each of said assets; (iii) accessing configuration data and user preference data for a plurality of predetermined investment optimisation strategies, said configuration data including data representing one or more variable parameters associated with each of said strategies and data representing rules for generating a value of said portfolio based on one or more of said parameters, said user preference data from said user profile including data representing a range of user defined values associated with each of said parameters;

(iv) generating, based on said configuration data and said user reference data, recommended values for each of said parameters for increasing said projected value to minimise a difference between said projected value and said target value; and

A computer-implemented method of optimising a value of a user's investment portfolio based on a user profile for said user, said method comprising:

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein said step (ii) includes generating said projected value based on said performance data and said risk profile data, wherein said projected value is generated based on said performance data captured over a shorter period of time when said user's risk profile data represents a higher threshold for risk, and said projected value is generated based on said performance data captured over a longer period of time when said user's risk profile data represents a lower threshold for risk, said risk profile data representing said user's threshold level of investment risk for said portfolio.

14. The method according to claim 12, wherein said valuation data further includes fees data representing a total value of any fees and disbursements associated with the management of said portfolio.

15. The method according to claim 12, wherein said predetermined investment optimisation strategies include one or more of the following: increasing said user's concessional contributions to said portfolio; increasing said user's non-concessional contributions to said portfolio;,and increasing a lump sum contribution to said portfolio; wherein, said configuration data includes data representing a value of said contributions corresponding to each of said strategies.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein said recommended values for each of said parameters are generated to fall within the corresponding ranges for each of said parameters defined by said user preference data.

17. The method according to claim 12, wherein said user display interface includes one or more adjustable user interface components to allow said user to modify said recommended values for one or more of said parameters, said method further including generating an updated projected value in response to an adjustment to any of said user interface components.

The method according to claim 17, wherein said user interface components allow said user to set a new recommended value for each of said parameters, said new recommended value being outside of the range of values defined in said user preference data.

The method according to claim 12, wherein said step (v) involves generating a report instead of said user display interface.

A computer-implemented system of optimising a value of a user's investment portfolio based on a user profile for said user, said system comprising:

(i) means for accessing, from said user profile, target value data representing a ' target value of said portfolio to be achieved within a predetermined future timeframe, and portfolio data identifying one or more assets of said portfolio;

(v) means for generating a user display interface for displaying one or more of said recommended values to said user. A computer- implemented system of optimising a value of a user's investment portfolio based on a user profile for said user, said system comprising one or more computers including: at least one processor; an interface between said processor and a data network; a database for containing information relating to said user profile and said user's investment portfolio; and at least one storage medium operatively coupled to said processor, said storage medium containing program instructions for execution by said processor, said program instructions causing said processor to execute the steps of:

(iii) accessing from said database, configuration data and user preference data for a plurality of predetermined investment optimisation strategies, said configuration data including data representing one or more variable parameters associated with each of said strategies and data representing rules for generating a value for said portfolio based on one or more of said parameters, said user preference data from said user profile including data representing a range of user defined values associated with each of said parameters;

A tangible computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions stored thereon for performing a method of optimising a value of a user's investment portfolio based on a user profile for said user, said method comprising:

(i) accessing, from said user profile, target value data representing a target value of said portfolio to be achieved within a predetermined future timeframe, and portfolio data identifying one of more assets of said portfolio;