Disappointing KiwiSaver changes in 2025 Budget
– Changes to employer and employee contributions — and how to avoid them if you wish
– Government contributions halved
– No government money if you earn more than $180,000
– Good news for 16 and 17-year-olds — tell them about it!
– Assessment: Bad for self-employed and not employed, and employees pay for their own gains
Will Government change its KiwiSaver contributions — and if so, how should it do it?
– History of government contributions
– If changed, how should they do it?
– Arguments against change
– Suggestion 1: ban employees paying their employer contributions
– Suggestion 2: give beneficiaries KiwiSaver help — and prisoners
The wisdom of our listeners!
Listeners’ best financial moves — entries in recent giveaway of Mary’s newly updated “Rich Enough? A Laid-back Guide for Every Kiwi”. We can all learn from them — or be amused by them.
– Marriage
– Debt
– Budgeting
– Investments
– Less conventional investments
– Saving for children
KiwiSaver turbulence, and interesting findings about NZers and ethical investing
– Comments on market turbulence
– Keep contributing to KiwiSaver
– Listener questions
– Survey on ethical investing: Changing issues, who is most “ethical”
Getting wise with mortgages
– Mortgage interest rates are falling. Huge rewards from keeping up old payments.
– 3 different types of mortgages — offset, redrawable and revolving credit, and who they work well for.
– Reduce term of mortgage — eg from 30 to 25 or 20 years. Makes a big difference.
Keep contributing to KiwiSaver — through thick and thin.
– A listener’s email about children’s KiwiSavers, but it applies to everyone
– Don’t judge performance over short periods
– Stick with growth fund if not spending the money soon
– Contributing in downturns is a plus!
– How to support children and young adults in KiwiSaver
– Answers to listener Qs on KiwiSaver and market volatility
The 3 most important things to do with your KiwiSaver:
1. Join. And keep contributing.
– What 2 years delay can cost you.
2. Use a higher-risk fund — usually.
– You will probably end up with much more.
3. Choose a low-fee fund.
– The wide range of fees, and the difference it makes.
A bit of bitcoin?
– Top performing KiwiSaver bitcoin fund
– Possible reason it’s done so well lately
– But many risks
Go offshore with KiwiSaver
– 2024 — good year in NZ shares, but even better elsewhere
– Fall in Kiwi dollar contributed
– Should look longer term
– How to invest in international shares
– Disloyal to NZ?
Are we celebrating Christmas the best way?
– Survey on what NZers most and least look forward to at Christmas
– Alternatives to big gift giving
– Give to charity in names of your relatives
– Make plans on Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve
Also: Update on Simplicity not yet permitting investment in more than one KiwiSaver fund