Q&As: Reader who has previously owned a home but may still be able to receive KiwiSaver first home assistance; Couple in similar situation may also get the assistance, even if they have too much in savings; More options for investing in emerging markets; Last week’s reader is making progress in getting KiwiSaver contributions that her employer didn’t send to Inland Revenue.
Turbulent times lead to confusing KiwiSaver returns. Confused KiwiSavers are asking some probing questions about the returns on their accounts, and I can’t blame them.
Q&As: What happens when your employer doesn’t forward your KiwiSaver deductions to Inland Revenue; Do I still recommend share investments after the Feltex case?; I shouldn’t have said “nobody foresaw the downturn” in the last column; Queensland might be good to retire to, but is it a good place to invest?; A brickbat about BRIC funds.
Q&As: Does it make sense to try to pick where Baby Boomers will retire and buy property there?; How KiwiSaver works if you move from employment to self-employment; Should couple use lump sum to repay a commercial mortgage or for other investment — and how KiwiSaver affects this?; Some alternatives for investing in emerging markets.
Ridiculous offers shouldn’t be banned. Two recent press releases had a similar ring to them. Both warned about offers to buy investments at low prices. But there’s a key difference between the two situations.
Q&As: Two readers are unhappy with ASB’s closing of some of its investment funds — with some justification, but only “some”; Another reader gives up on reading this column, claiming I am “inside the tent” with the financial industry.
Q&As: One reader is angry that ASB is closing the trusts he’s invested in, while…; Another reader sees it as a great opportunity to try a new investment strategy with term deposits; I might be a duck or a weasel, but I’m not a financial adviser.
Getting into gear not always wise. The four most hateful words are said to be, “I told you so.” So I’ll put this another way: One of my key messages in seminars, books and columns over the years — that borrowing to invest is more dangerous than many people realise — is easier to “sell” these days than a couple of years ago.
Q&As: KiwiSaver works well for beneficiaries — and there may be a bonus for those who are unwell; Am I a financial adviser? And why it matters to you.
Q&As: Other ways in which gold is risky; The difference between term deposits and bonds; Why is ING’s default KiwiSaver scheme cheaper than the very similar ANZ and National Bank schemes?; Readers offer some udder ideas on what to call Mum and Dad investors.