Set and forget KiwiSaver funds a great choice for many. I’m not really interested in what happens under the bonnet of my car, as long as it goes. In much the same way many people are not interested in what happens to their KiwiSaver accounts, as long as they grow.
Q&As: Real estate agent objects to my suggesting people negotiate with agents; Brian Gaynor’s and my differing views on the best way to invest. Plus: Buy a KiwiSaver book for less than half price.
Q&As: Retiree stuck with a property investment that’s gone wrong should sell her house and the rental; 71-year-old wants to be in KiwiSaver, while younger New Zealander stays out for the sake of the country; Fees are not the only consideration when choosing a KiwiSaver fund.
Change KiwiSaver default funds… …but educate too. All the wrong people are ending up in KiwiSaver default funds — or are they? That depends on their financial knowledge, temperament and home ownership plans.
Wanted: better insurance against outliving our savings. Imagine you’re heading into retirement. You’ll get NZ Super, but you also have savings in KiwiSaver or elsewhere. You would like to spend that money over the rest of your life and leave the house to the kids. But — not knowing how long you will live — how can you decide how much to spend each year?
Q&As: Paying off mortgage — and getting rid of badly undiversified portfolio — are two great ideas; KiwiSaver can work well for student; Laying out the details on KiwiSaver exit fees; Buying shares directly from overseas broker cheaper in short run, but may not be wise.
Q&As: Some active share funds will do better than passive index funds, but it’s impossible to predict which ones; Don’t go chasing high-performing KiwiSaver funds — here’s how to choose your provider; Another index fund available in New Zealand; Fee-charging advisers don’t gain from putting clients in higher risk investments than they should.
Q&As: Investing doesn’t have to be a part-time job. There’s still time for novel reading; KiwiSaver calculation — far from being wrong — is correct to the cent; How the lack of a tax credit for kids in KiwiSaver affects contributions to their accounts; There’s much more to financial advice than just investing.
Q&As: Which investment advisers charge fees — and why that is a good start. Plus: Winners of draw to go to Taskforce breakfast and lunch.
Excerpt from The Complete KiwiSaver: Which Assets Are for You? This week, Mary Holm’s Q&A column is replaced by an excerpt from her latest book, “The Complete KiwiSaver”. The principles she discusses here apply not just to KiwiSaver but to investing in general. Her Q&A column will resume next week.