Planning for retirement – Mary Holm

NZ Herald 31 January 2026

mary — Fri, 30 Jan 2026 11:00:38 +0000

Note to readers: fortnightly column Couple in 70s should sell 1 of 2 rentals and relax How to invest savings in retirement … … and for other goals such as uni The power of reinvesting dividends — and when not to What if KiwiSaver access age rises? From now on this column will be published fortnightly. I’ve got books to write and other plans to keep me busy. But I still love receiving your...

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NZ Herald 20 December 2025

mary — Fri, 19 Dec 2025 11:00:47 +0000

How to keep inheritance out of relationship property 2 Q&As on living in a retirement village What’s wrong with so many New Zealanders? See you next year — and tips on getting your letter published QI read with interest your response last week to the student who has inherited a large sum of money at 22, as it mirrors the situation my two brothers and I faced when we were in our twenties.

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NZ Herald 13 December 2025

mary — Fri, 12 Dec 2025 11:00:15 +0000

How 22-year-old should handle inheritance Could NZ funds fail, as they did in Australia? Sell 80-year-old’s home, or get reverse mortgage? And is 75 too young for such a mortgage? How much caution in retirement? QMy mother recently passed away and I, along with my siblings, have received an inheritance which I feel anxious about doing right with. I am only 22 years old. I now own a third of...

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NZ Herald 6 December 2025

mary — Fri, 05 Dec 2025 11:00:40 +0000

Couple in 70s sell home to fund retirement fun While couple in 50s may choose to stay renting How young reader may get into housing market Where are those tiny KiwiSaver fees? QWe are in our early 70s, retired, and will shortly have about $1 million from the sale of our house. Does it makes more sense to tip that sum into KiwiSaver or give it to a wealth management company? We are mortgage-free...

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NZ Herald 1 November 2025

mary — Fri, 31 Oct 2025 11:00:57 +0000

Splurging in retirement not so bad Government’s unrealistic expectations on KiwiSaver Index funds are not for the short term 2 Q&As on cash fund investments and risk QI thought I would tell you my story of not being careful with money. We sold a property in Auckland 10 years ago. We came down to the Coromandel and thought it would be a nice place to live. We bought a two-storey house in...

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NZ Herald 25 October 2025

mary — Fri, 24 Oct 2025 11:00:33 +0000

Reader gets no gain from being in KiwiSaver 2 Q&As about last week’s retired couple planning to sell their home and rent Who offers “build-to-rent” properties? Reader challenges 4.6% on a term deposit QI have recently started working for an employer who treats KiwiSaver employer contributions as part of total remuneration, or salary sacrifice. And I am fortunate or...

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NZ Herald 18 October 2025

mary — Fri, 17 Oct 2025 11:00:00 +0000

Retirees plan to sell home, rent, and have fun How compensation works if finance company fails Your KiwiSaver tax rate is checked by Inland Revenue Clarification on tax when you rent out your bach QDo you see anything wrong with this scenario? My wife and I are in our early 70s, with limited savings and a mortgage-free house that is worth around $750,000 in today’s market. So we can do more...

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NZ Herald 4 October 2025

mary — Fri, 03 Oct 2025 11:00:21 +0000

A bank account for a couch surfer No, it’s not me! Scam warning Reader excited by recent returns … … While another gets a little bit brave Now retired, we’re selling our rental Is renting out bach a good idea? QI don’t have any million-dollar properties, so this is probably outside of your usual area of expertise. A few years ago I was kicked out of my rental because...

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NZ Herald 20 September 2025

mary — Fri, 19 Sep 2025 12:00:42 +0000

Buying a rental not a good idea for 69-year-old A way for kids’ KiwiSavers to grow fast Fund closures worry a reader Trusts and other depositors covered by compensation scheme Smart device required for this bank account QMy father has never been into the money part. He is 69, a single pensioner in a fully paid for home, and has around $30,000 of savings he’s itching to do something...

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NZ Herald 6 September 2025

mary — Fri, 05 Sep 2025 12:00:44 +0000

Deposit compensation up and running What if someone pulls out of the scheme? KiwiSaver total remuneration defended What’s fair for over-65s in KiwiSaver? Total remuneration tempts people, who will later regret it Best way to self insure for health costs Couple has been lucky with health — so far! QI was following with interest the moves to introduce savings guarantees...

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