NZ Herald 20 May 2017
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.
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.
Q&As: Reader has same credit card trouble as last week’s correspondent…; …And last week’s correspondent finds the remedy doesn’t work; Another reader has a suggestion on credit card limits; And yet another one says ‘Fire your bank’; Thousands paying too much tax in KiwiSaver; Know your rights when dealing with financial service providers.
What savers and investors are entitled to. In your dealings with KiwiSaver providers, financial advisers, banks, peer-to-peer lenders, equity crowdfunding platforms and others providing financial services, the Financial Markets Authority says you are entitled to: Competence; To be treated fairly and honestly; To be informed; To know how much you are paying; To have your problems and complaints dealt with properly. What does this amount to? For more info see tinyurl.com/NZentitlements.
Q&As: Which is better — a KiwiSaver share fund or KiwiSaver property fund?; KiwiSaver investments don’t change at 65, unless you’re in a life stages option. What are they?; No tax consequences of parents’ gift to help pay off mortgage; Bring UK shares over and pay down mortgage.