Welcome to TAL News & Views
Industry -
Welcome to the November edition of our newsletter.
Welcome to our last edition of TAL News & Views for 2025, as we wrap up a busy November and head into the holiday season. As the year winds down, I’d like to thank our partner community for another year of support and collaboration. Together, we’ve delivered initiatives that make a real difference for members and I’m looking forward to continuing this work in 2026.
AFSA 2025
The team and I had a fantastic time at the ASFA Conference on the Gold Coast, connecting with many of you at the TAL expo stand. At the conference, I had the privilege of leading a panel discussion on the growing impact of mental health conditions on TPD claims. It was encouraging to see the industry actively engaging on solutions that will better support members during life’s toughest moments, while ensuring the ongoing sustainability of group insurance for the broader membership.
Unpack the panel insights
Among the conference highlights was a keynote session featuring TAL CEO Fiona Macgregor. The panellists discussed the trends that are shaping the future of insurance in super – including mental health, the member experience, long-term financial wellbeing and the role of regulatory frameworks.
Meet our partners: James Gyton
This month, we spoke with James Gyton, Chief Operating Officer at Brighter Super, about Brighter’s recent merger of three funds, and how the merged entity is continuing to put members’ needs first. James shares how they’ve combined the best practices and cultures from each fund to deliver personal face-to-face service to members complemented by digital tools to provide advice and retirement solutions that adapt to members’ changing needs.
TAL partners with SANE Australia to support complex mental health
TAL is partnering with SANE Australia to pilot new ways of supporting people with complex claims based on mental health conditions. The initiative aims to combine lived experience with evidence-based care to help members recover and stay connected.
Explore TAL and SANE partnership
TAL’s commitment to life insurance excellence through ALUCA
TAL’s work through ALUCA reflects our focus on strengthening the life insurance sector through practical leadership and investment in people. Franco Crapis, our Group Life Head of Product has been appointed Chair of the ALUCA Product Group, and our winner Blake Lamont and runner up Troy Williams in the 2025 ALUCA Turks Scholarship highlight the depth of emerging talent across our business. These contributions support better product design, stronger industry capability and a long-term approach that puts members’ needs at the centre.
Supporting communities
As a member of Champions of Change Coalition, TAL will be taking part in the 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence campaign. On 10 December, we will light our TAL signage in the Melbourne office in orange to show our support and raise awareness about gender-based violence. The 16 Days campaign encourages people and organisations around the world to have conversations about gender equality and respect, and stand united in the belief that domestic, family, and sexual violence is completely unacceptable.
Holiday break
Our team will be taking a well-deserved break from 22 December 2025 to 2 January 2026. We’ll have a skeleton staff on deck during this time to ensure your members are supported.
I wish you all a safe and relaxing holiday season, and I look forward to sharing more industry news and insights in 2026.