In defence of writing lots about KiwiSaver. No journalist likes to be accused of doing PR for the government. So when the editor of one of the newspapers that runs this column recently suggested I was “championing” KiwiSaver, it got me thinking.
Choices for those hit by mortgage rate rises. The offers are already being made to people facing big mortgage interest rises. “If your lender won’t renegotiate, we’ve got deals that will lower your payments,” they say. Are these deals any good?
What a difference a year or two makes. Most people have lists — either written or in their heads — of things to do, and certain items never seem to make it to the top. If one of those is to join KiwiSaver, push it to Number One promptly. Delay is probably costing you much more than you realise — unless you are 60 to 64.
Mortgage diversion well worth it for many. The term “mortgage diversion” will be on more and more lips as KiwiSaver approaches its first anniversary in July. It’s not too early to think about whether this feature of the scheme — available after 12 months membership — would work well if you are already in KiwiSaver, or could attract you into the scheme.
Share plunge arguably good for KiwiSaver. Despite some irresponsible reporting, the low returns on many KiwiSaver funds in their first few months are no reason not to join up. I’d even say the rough start was good in some ways. The one big worry is that people have read a few headlines and decided to stay away from KiwiSaver without understanding what’s really happening.
Perspectives article on poor KiwiSaver performance. Earlier Herald article criticising KiwiSaver is misleading for two reasons.
Concern over remarks on old-age support largely unwarranted. People should not be put off joining KiwiSaver because entitlement may eventually occur later.
Can’t afford KiwiSaver? That’s unlikely. A reader protests that, despite my suggestion that everyone under 65 should sign up to KiwiSaver, “reality has it that not many of us can afford it!”
How same is the same housing market? A reader has taken issue with a comment in my last column that “the vast majority of current homeowners… could just sit out a plunge in house prices, or else sell and buy in the same market and suffer no loss.”
Preparing for a possible property price plunge. The volume of house sales is slowing. Houses are taking longer to sell. And some apartment prices are falling. What if house prices are next to fall?