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.
KiwiSaver — heading into retirement and after you retire: What happens at retirement; 60–64 and not in KiwiSaver? Join!; What type of KiwiSaver fund?; Is a listener’s plan good?
Q&As: How much emergency money, and where should it be invested?; When it’s a good idea to keep your bank at arm’s length; Should young couple buy a home now, or wait and hope on prices and exchange rates?; Best way to compare KiwiSaver funds.