Planning for retirement

NZ Herald 30 July 2022

Q&As:
– Returns versus fees — which should you use to judge funds?
– Are banks safe? …
– … And should we favour NZ-owned banks?
– KiwiSaver can work well in retirement
– No, don’t try to time the markets!
– What to do after KiwiSaver drop

Read More

RNZ Radio 28 July 2022

Bridging the gender retirement gap

Ideas from a conference on how to help women increase their retirement savings:
– Why the gap is there
– Suggestions on government action
– Suggestions on employer action
– Suggestions finance industry action

Read More

RNZ Radio 2 June 2022

Listeners’ KiwiSaver worries

– Conservative funds are not low-risk
– Why funds with lots of bonds are losing value fast
– Don’t try to time markets by moving your money
– How to organize your KiwiSaver in retirement
– Is this a good time to invest more?

Reminder: Have you contributed enough to get maximum from the government?

Read More

NZ Herald 16 April 2022

Q&As:
– Bonus Bonds weren’t only about returns
– Gold is not the best spot for reader’s inheritance
– Are billionaires the new millionaires?
– Retirement savings idea not a winner
– Unfairness in treatment of overseas pensions?

Read More

NZ Herald 5 March 2022

Q&As:
– Don’t act when share markets do …
– … and when you should take action
– Best strategy for investing a lump sum
– Market wobbling? Get out a novel
– Laddering a mortgage — with bells on
– House insurance may not fully cover rent during rebuilding

Read More

NZ Herald 19 February 2022

Q&As:
– Please don’t let your partner run your money without your input
– Comparing KiwiSaver and non-KiwiSaver funds
– Laddering term deposits a great way to invest low-risk money — and what are Term PIEs?
– How do NZ-owned banks compare with overseas-owned ones?
– How high inflation affects low-risk savings

Read More

NZ Herald 5 February 2022

Q&As:
– Where to keep money for jewellery while awaiting Italian trip …
– … And where to keep it while awaiting a house purchase
– Give money to grandkids rather than their parents
– Invest a lump sum now, or wait?
– A few more “money rules”, and a source revealed
– Good Samaritan helps out last week’s struggling tourism operator

Read More

NZ Herald 11 December 2021

Q&As:
– Ignore KiwiSaver fund performance over a few months
– Why you should focus on a fund’s fees, not its returns
– Your KiwiSaver fund has done well in recent years? So what!
– How hard it is for beneficiary parents to get back into work
– A reader’s quote is out of context — and he should stop being mean!
Plus:
– Meaningful Christmas gifts

Read More

NZ Herald 20 November 2021

Q&As:
– 20-year-old could perhaps try borrowing to invest in shares
– Reader misunderstands 10-year share rule
– KiwiSaver fund a good idea for great grandson
– How KiwiSaver is taxed, and what happens the year you turn 65
– “But the cheap wine tastes better!”
– Take care with employee share ownership schemes

Read More

RNZ Radio 18 November 2021

KiwiSaver default funds suddenly become attractive for many.

Changes could make you want to switch to these funds:
– Different providers
– Guidance to investors at life milestones
– Lower fees — as low as 0.2 per cent
– No fossil fuels or illegal weapons
– Change of risk level, from conservative to balanced

Warning to those who should stay in conservative
Don’t let providers talk you into a bad move!

Read More