NZ Herald Q&A Column

Ins and Outs of KiwiSaver tax credit. Judging by readers’ questions, confusion reigns about the government’s KiwiSaver tax credits, which match members’ contributions up to $20 a week or $1042.86 a year. The tax credits are paid to every contributing KiwiSaver member 18 and over until they reach NZ Super age (currently 65) or five years after joining, whichever is later. For example, if you join at age 63, you will continue to get the credits until five years later, when you are 68.

KiwiSaver bringing out the best in many. One aspect of KiwiSaver that I’m enjoying is the way people are helping one another understand it. This came through in several entries to our giveaway of my book “KiwiSaver: How to make it work for you.” Entrants had to say in 40 words or less why they should win one of 30 copies of the book. Some wanted it book to help their children, some their parents and some their workmates.

Misunderstandings about KiwiSaver abound. Predictably, given that KiwiSaver is new, complex and not yet fully formed, there are many misunderstandings about it.

Sack the inaccurate journalists. A reader reports that she and her family “were quite astounded to find you recommend (KiwiSaver) so unreservedly.” “I’ve read several articles recently by other journalists, who have pointed out that one’s savings could well be handled — in the interim before one retires — so poorly that there could be none left to collect on retirement.