Kids and KiwiSaver
– You can sign them up at any time
– The rules for under 18s on government and employer contributions, when teenager gets a job etc.
– Maybe make small contributions — starts saving habit
– $10 or $20 a week could start a house deposit — not just from parents
– Changes at 18 — keep helping with contributions
– Saving for children outside KS — pluses and minuses
Q&As:
– A reverse mortgage that hasn’t gone well …
– … But it might work for this reader
– A great tip on how to get more on your term deposit
– Buying shares is much cheaper these days
– A reader’s story: Many wise moves, and a great attitude
KiwiSaver back to positive! Also, new KiwiSaver help for new parents
– Returns January to March positive for almost all KiwiSaver funds
– Are the best short-term funds also the best long-term?
– Main points: Hang in there; higher risk = higher return; never judge by short-term performance
– Government helps KiwiSavers on paid parental leave
Q&As:
– How to avoid the boss’s meanness — a different way to contribute to KiwiSaver
– Credit card interest rise alarming
– Don’t bail out of KiwiSaver
– Funds’ relative performance all over the place
– 2 more providers let you withdraw dividends from funds — which can work well in retirement
– A reader’s story: Lessons learnt boost confidence
Q&As:
– Rental property comparison with KiwiSaver not valid
– Working out your true income can help you curb spending
– How reader can keep getting some benefits after 65
– A pity more managed fund providers don’t distribute dividends to investors
– A reader’s story: Recovery from divorce, and 21st birthday presents
Q&As:
– Rental property not always the winner over managed funds
– The risk of borrowing to invest
Readers’ stories about how the column has helped them
– 9 lessons learnt
– Move to growth fund made big difference
– We don’t like shopping!
– “Spend more” message is not for everyone
Q&As:
– A reader’s disappointing run with managed funds
– When it can be bad news to own shares in company you work for …
– … or to buy the building that houses your business
– Confusing numbers on KiwiSaver fund performance
– A reader’s story: gaining confidence to buy shares
25th anniversary of this column!
– Reflections on what we’ve looked at over the years
– Readers’ stories about how the column has helped them
Q&As:
– Pros and cons of employee share ownership schemes
– Mortgage interest lower than 80s, but …
– Ask your bank for higher interest on term deposits
– Laddering term deposits when drip feeding in
– A reader, columnist and subeditor all got it wrong!
– Over the years — a request for letters
Q&As:
– KiwiSaver “sidecar” emergency account would work well
– Even Buffett likes index funds
– Longer-term deposits usually pay more, despite current rates
– One reader wants all short-term deposits…
– … While another wants all long-term ones
– Correction