Investing in retirement

NZ Herald 25 July 2020

Q&As:
– You don’t need nearly a million to retire comfortably
– Should couple sell Covid-struck business now and retire, or wait and hope?
– Report shonky kiwifruit contractor, reader urges
– Reverse mortgage could help last week’s house buyer

Read More

NZ Herald 18 July 2020

Q&As:
– 72-year-old should buy house she rents. Plus how to make her savings last
– Last week’s indebted reader should get a mortgage
– No choice but to apply for overseas pensions
– No government handouts without rules — but help is available

Read More

NZ Herald 27 June 2020

Q&As:
– Government KiwiSaver contributions to over 65s wouldn’t work, or be fair
– How reader with cancer could set up her savings
– Over how long should you drip-feed a lump sum into an investment?
– Is weekly drip-feeding better than monthly?
– I suggest reader takes rental property off the market …
– … but she’s sold it! Don’t put proceeds into another rental

Read More

NZ Herald 6 June 2020

Q&As:
– My expertise on cows and farmers’ markets is called into question…
– … Nonetheless, my comments last week helped reader
– KiwiSaver becoming workable for people with special needs
– Change KiwiSaver provider any time, but take care with changing funds
– Who does government borrow from, and how?
– Are we likely to see negative interest rates, and if so, where should we save?
– Not good news on tax and negative interest rates
– Negative interest rates unlikely to threaten banks’ strength

Read More

NZ Herald 30 May 2020

Q&As:
– Where to put your money if you’ve lost faith in all financial assets
– Why being in a balanced fund isn’t always equal to being in both low- and high-risk funds
– Suggestion for last week’s couple unable to buy a home because of his parents’ mortgage
– Tax on PIEs and uneven tax burden
Plus:
– How to make use of new info on KiwiSaver statements

Read More

RNZ Radio 21 May 2020

Important new info on KiwiSaver annual statements arriving about now:
– You’ll be told your expected savings at 65 (inflation adjusted)
– Also how much you will be able to spend per week until age 90 (inflation adjusted)
– (But you won’t get this if you’re new to that provider, under 18 or over 65)
– How these numbers are calculated
– What if you don’t fit the assumptions, eg you plan to retire before or after 65?
– What to do if your numbers are worryingly low

Read More

NZ Herald 21 March 2020

Q&As:
– 2 readers ask whether this is a good time to buy a home
– Drip feed into an investment, but preferably not out again
– How COVID-19 affects KiwiSavers planning to withdraw to buy a first home
– 65-year-old in KiwiSaver should relax
– More on “blood in streets” quote

Read More

NZ Herald 21 December 2019

Q&As:
– Sell your home and rent in retirement, to free up money?
– Is it good for both partners to be with same bank’s KiwiSaver?
– Proof on why not to judge KiwiSaver by returns
– More on why index funds won’t mess up share market
– Reader sends his thanks
Plus:
– Bye and thanks — and be terrific in traffic

Read More

NZ Herald 19 October 2019

Q&As:
– Couple should make children their priority while the kids are young
– KiwiSaver gives children a good start, despite the lack of incentives
– Don’t blame bank for getting son’s KiwiSaver tax rate wrong
– Expanding the “cut back on gifts” idea to birthdays, Christmas and Mother’s Day
– Inflation tougher on superannuitants, but reader still has options
Plus:
– I’m doing two talks in Tauranga on November 3

Read More

NZ Herald 12 October 2019

Q&As:
– Low interest not as bad as it seems — when we check out inflation
– Ideas for retiree struggling because of low interest
– Should retirement savings go into high-earning KiwiSaver fund?
– Apartment ownership not worry-free
– My tax gripe shot down

Read More