Planning for retirement

RNZ Radio 13 August 2020

How much do you need to save for retirement?
– KiwiSaver statements give estimated total — but many not reading it
– Industry sometimes says you need $1 million-plus. Ridiculous!
– How to set a reasonable goal
– What to do if you’re unlikely to reach your goal

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NZ Herald 8 August 2020

Q&As:
– Family trusts no longer let you avoid rest home fees
– Advice from Shakespeare on treating children equally in wills
– What should “lazy and irresponsible” reader do with his million?
– NZ Super unlikely to be slashed, especially for those on low incomes
– Widower describes 17 years of retirement travel with wife
Plus:
– Money Week

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NZ Herald 1 August 2020

Q&As:
– Couple muddling trusts and wills — and courting trouble by not discussing uneven inheritances with family
– Young hopeful homebuyer in a position to take risks
– KiwiSaver retirement estimates too high? — what to do about it
– Travel early in retirement, 85-year-old urges

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RNZ Radio 30 July 2020

Economic wellness. Also National’s KiwiSaver idea.
– What ‘economic wellness’ means
– How can we achieve it
– Will our health improve if we achieve economic stability?
– Is it easier to be well if you have money?
Plus: Is National’s plan to let people withdraw $20,000 from KiwiSaver to start a business a good idea?

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NZ Herald 25 July 2020

Q&As:
– You don’t need nearly a million to retire comfortably
– Should couple sell Covid-struck business now and retire, or wait and hope?
– Report shonky kiwifruit contractor, reader urges
– Reverse mortgage could help last week’s house buyer

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NZ Herald 18 July 2020

Q&As:
– 72-year-old should buy house she rents. Plus how to make her savings last
– Last week’s indebted reader should get a mortgage
– No choice but to apply for overseas pensions
– No government handouts without rules — but help is available

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RNZ Radio 2 July 2020

Invest in NZ assets rather than overseas ones? Is that wise?
– Which is better for you — NZ or international investing?
– Which is better for New Zealand as a whole?
– How to invest internationally
– How to tell if your KiwiSaver fund is mostly NZ assets — not easy

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NZ Herald 27 June 2020

Q&As:
– Government KiwiSaver contributions to over 65s wouldn’t work, or be fair
– How reader with cancer could set up her savings
– Over how long should you drip-feed a lump sum into an investment?
– Is weekly drip-feeding better than monthly?
– I suggest reader takes rental property off the market …
– … but she’s sold it! Don’t put proceeds into another rental

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NZ Herald 6 June 2020

Q&As:
– My expertise on cows and farmers’ markets is called into question…
– … Nonetheless, my comments last week helped reader
– KiwiSaver becoming workable for people with special needs
– Change KiwiSaver provider any time, but take care with changing funds
– Who does government borrow from, and how?
– Are we likely to see negative interest rates, and if so, where should we save?
– Not good news on tax and negative interest rates
– Negative interest rates unlikely to threaten banks’ strength

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NZ Herald 30 May 2020

Q&As:
– Where to put your money if you’ve lost faith in all financial assets
– Why being in a balanced fund isn’t always equal to being in both low- and high-risk funds
– Suggestion for last week’s couple unable to buy a home because of his parents’ mortgage
– Tax on PIEs and uneven tax burden
Plus:
– How to make use of new info on KiwiSaver statements

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