Generation Life named Investment Bond Provider of the Year

Generation Life has been named Investment Bond Provider of the Year in the Money Consumer Finance Awards.

It was recognised for offering an investment bond that is flexible and can offer real upsides for estate planning and tax-friendly returns.

See the full list of winners in the Money Consumer Finance Awards 2026.

Generation Life at a glance

• Winner: Investment Bond Provider of the Year
• Why they won: An investment bond that is flexible and can offer real upsides for estate planning and tax-friendly returns
• Top product: LifeBuilder

Why investment bonds are gaining attention

Investment bonds are a long-term investment solution issued exclusively by APRA-regulated life insurance companies.

They enable investments in professionally managed portfolios through a simple and tax-effective structure.

While they work in a similar way to managed funds, investment bonds can be used for different purposes - they can grow wealth or provide for loved ones, through to developing and distributing estate plans.

As they sit outside the superannuation environment, investment bonds are not impacted by the continual finetuning of superannuation rules, and this has enhanced their popularity.

Investment bonds are not subject to contribution caps, preservation rules or potential policy reforms that have often impacted super rules; they can provide investors flexibility and certainty over the long-term.

Award-winning provider

Generation Life is one of Australia's leading investment bond providers, and in 2026 it takes the top award for its LifeBuilder product.

Felipe Araujo, chief executive of Generation Life, says, "We are seeing discernible, increased interest in investment bonds, particularly as Australians look for tax-effective ways to build and transfer wealth outside the superannuation system.

"This is being driven by a combination of factors. The last raft of legislative changes prompted investors and advisers to diversify across structures, rather than rely on super alone.

At the same time, product innovation has improved the tax efficiency of investment bonds, reinforcing their role as a complementary vehicle alongside super and trusts."

Supporting wealth transfer

Araujo says the scale of intergenerational wealth transfers underway in Australia is also a key driver, increasing demand for structures that can provide great certainty, control and efficiency.

"What sets LifeBuilder apart is its ability to bring together tax efficiency, flexibility and simple estate-planning benefits," says Araujo.

"It's no longer just about performance, it's about clarity and reassurance that allows for confident retirement planning notwithstanding evolving government policy cycles, and confidence that wealth can be passed on tax effectively with ease."

Accessible and flexible

Only $1000 is needed to get started with LifeBuilder - an entry point Araujo describes as "intentional".

He explains, "While investment bonds are accessible to a broad range of investors, they are particularly effective for those on marginal tax rates higher than 30%.

In practice, they are utilised to complement superannuation, support intergenerational wealth transfers, save for a child's financial education, and can build long-term wealth alongside other structures."

Top product: LifeBuilder

LifeBuilder - it can offer a simple, affordable and tax-effective way to build and pass on long-term wealth.

Read more: View all winners in the Money Consumer Finance Awards 2026.

Get the magazine: Order the latest issue from the Money online shop.

Get stories like this in our newsletters.