Lifeplan Funds Management is a South Australian friendly society made up of an amalgamation of many other friendly societies including Manchester Unity IOOF, Mutual Community, Australian Natives’ Association, Druids, Foresters, Rechabites – District 81, Hibernians, Protestant Alliance, Free Gardeners, Investment Action, Stateguard, Norwich Union Friendly Society and Savings and Loans Friendly Society. Lifeplan's earliest antecedent company was Manchester Unity, established in South Australia in 1840.
These friendly societies shared a common goal—to provide financial assistance and services to members and their dependants in times of hardship, sickness and distress. From humble, yet important beginnings, Lifeplan has grown steadily to be a leading Australian specialist fund manager and provider of investment products, with total assets and funds under management in excess of $1.57 billion at 30 September 2009.
In August 2009, Lifeplan merged with Australian Unity to create an even stronger mutual organisation. As part of the merger, Lifeplan members became customers and members of a larger Australian company with similar history, culture and values.