Q&As: Don’t miss KiwiSaver tax credits — and why kids do miss out; How to calculate tax credits for new KiwiSavers and those turning 18 or 65; Savings goal from adviser looks too high; Please email to say how well you’re doing in KiwiSaver.
Investment risks — Part 3: Looking over your shoulder or overseas, or overlooking inflation. In a four-part series, Mary talks about the risks described in the newly updated “Upside, Downside — a guide to risk for savers and investors”. (Download it here). In this session: Buying investments that are hard — or expensive — to get out of; Expecting past performance to continue; Listening to old-timers; Forgetting about inflation; Taking foreign exchange risk — or not taking it when you should; Responding to ads or offers made in phone calls, seminars or courses.
Q&As: Million-dollar savings goals do more harm than good; Retirement expectations rise and so should saving; Don’t like one housing forecast? Here are some more; Several NZ passive fund providers.
Q&As: Predicted house price fall no big deal for most; Older KiwiSaver may be okay in growth fund; “Ad for active investing” not so convincing; Forex trader’s record worrying.
Investment risks — Part 2: Too complicated, too much borrowing, not diversifying… In a four-part series, Mary talks about the risks described in the newly updated “Upside, Downside — a guide to risk for savers and investors”. (Download it here) In this session: Investing in something you don’t fully understand; Investing in companies that get into trouble; Overdoing borrowing; Investing in too few different types of assets; Failing to diversify within each type of asset; Failing to diversify over time; Putting short-term money in volatile investments.
Q&As: Couple in their 60s could still get back into home ownership — helped by KiwiSaver; Rest home subsidy rule unfair, but not easy to fix; Benefit helped reader turn around his life; NZ Super recipient shouldn’t pick on beneficiaries.
Q&As: Best long-term investment for entrepreneurial teen; Reader aghast that beneficiary can keep savings; Pictured foot is impressive; Grateful reader’s pension rises after reading column. Plus: Free online booklet about investment risks.
Why investing offshore is wise rather than risky: Applies to KiwiSaver and other investments; Much better diversification; Foreign exchange adds risk; Or does it?
Q&As: Trusts may no longer enable well off elderly to get subsidy; Possible trap for parents giving money to adult children; What KiwiSaver rules would change when under National plan; Partial KiwiSaver tax credit in year you turn 65 — or 18; Good reasons for using a credit card.
Bonds — Most of us are in them. How safe are they?: What are bonds?; A key investment in many KiwiSaver funds; A worried listener’s letter; Two types of risk — and how to cope with them. For a brief explanation of credit ratings: tinyurl.com/CreditNZ.