What’s in store for KiwiSaver? Changes we might see, depending on election results:
– Employer, employee and self-employed contributions rise?
– Drop tax on returns?
– Paid parental leave changes
– Money for babies and school children?
– Ban on further total remuneration?
Q&As:
– More saving is not for everyone
– A way around “too much AI” in share funds
– Reader’s complaint seems mean
– “Sneakers guy” last time deserves praise
– Get the right sort of life insurance
– OK to move for cheaper housing?
– “I won’t browse there!”
Plus:
– Mary talking in Tauranga
How we’re doing in KiwiSaver
– FMA 2026 KiwiSaver Annual Report just released
– Average balance up 11%, but ….
– Over 65s staying in KiwiSaver
– Non-contributors should put in a bit
– More people switching funds — good and bad
– More people moving providers — good and bad
Setting up a rainy day fund
– Sorted Money Month: This year — emergency money
– Good for mental health
– How to set up a fund and how much
– Sorted Buffer Builder app
– Putting money slightly out of reach
– “Give it to charity”
The power of drip feeding into investments
– 3 reasons it works well
– What is dollar cost averaging?
– Why does it work?
– What if you have a lump sum?
How to pick the best KiwiSaver fund for you
4 steps: (Also applies to non-KiwiSaver funds)
1. Most important: Work out your risk level
2. Choose a fund at your risk level — including why you should largely ignore past returns
3. Other info on Smart Investor
4. Check the ethics of funds
Q&As:
– House-sitting their way to home ownership — and keeping debt down
– Gold v share funds v rental property
– Is burying your gold a good idea?
– Unusual Simplicity fund investments
– Correction on share fund tax
Winners of 10 copies of updated edition of “Rich Enough? A Laid-back Guide for Every Kiwi”
Celebrating 10 years of RNZ segment. Contestants had to write what they learnt from it, in 60 words or less.
Themes include:
– Save regular small amount by direct credit
– Make a will
– Repay debt
– Spend on fun in retirement
– Ladder term deposits
– Leave KiwiSaver alone in downturns
– KiwiSaver works well for self-employed
Why it’s best to choose low-fee funds over high-performing funds
– But first: 10th anniversary of this segment coming up. Here’s how to win a book!
– Research shows 2024 was a great year for NZ-based world share funds…
– … and NZ share funds did well too
– But was your fund’s performance all that strong? Most funds did worse than the share index.
– Especially true with long-term returns
– Adjustments for survivorship bias — many funds closed down
– Conclusion: Outperformance doesn’t last. Choose low-fee funds.
Q&As:
– 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!