Is KiwiSaver leaving some people behind?
– Increasing calls to change this
– Lower income people less likely to contribute
– Hardship withdrawals increase
– Suggestions: children’s accounts, change govt incentives, contributions to beneficiaries, sidecar accounts
Q&As:
– Unanswerable question – when to buy and sell a share
– Tax cutting advice is worrying
– NZ Super already sort of means tested
– Nobody tells you to apply for Super
– “It’s time Kiwis were more reliant!”
– Aussies get big tax break on Super
Q&As:
– Will younger people get NZ Super?
– Raising NZ Super age would be gradual
– Do all over 65s apply for Super?
– Generous pensioners …
– … But one Scrooge!
– When KiwiSaver and other funds are not what they seem
Are you making the most of bank deposit insurance?
– What is covered and what not?
– How to make the most of it
– Use a higher-risk deposit taker to get more interest?
Q&As:
– Avoid having both investments and debt…
– …and therefore skip the mortgage
– One way to solve NZ Super problem?
– “Vehement disagreement” over means testing NZ Super
– NZ on world stage over Super
– Overseas pensions confiscated?
ACT’s good KiwiSaver idea — and the 2 KiwiSaver changes I most want
– ACT idea: $500 to every Year 11 student. Learn about investing. Reward at end.
– My change 1: Govt pays 3.5% KiwiSaver contributions for beneficiaries.
– My change 2: Sidecar KiwiSaver accounts to use in emergencies.
Q&As:
– NZ Super only for those who paid tax through their lives?
– A laugh and a controversy over 122-year-old in last column
– Help for non-homeowning couple, 57, who feel trapped and confused
– Easy mortgage calculations — monthly vs weekly payments
Q&As:
– Lesson from a 120-year-old!
– Where to invest term deposit money
– When is it best to move money overseas?
– Take out more in retirement?
– KiwiSaver when you turn 65
Stick with US shares?
– US ETFs and other US share investments — how have they done?
– Pick another country instead?
– The answer — go global, or reduce risk level
– How to make the move
Q&As:
– Where to put money for new grandchild
– Could retiree be “forced” to sell shared land?
– How one family funded children’s uni
– Watching caravans turning!
– Sad story about selling house to neighbour…
– … and happy one
– Alternative to reverse mortgage
Plus:
– Appearance at Auckland Writers Festival