Q&As:
– Clever ways to make Christmas less expensive and more fun
– Who’s creaming it, the lawyers or the banks?
– Bonus Bonds give reader nothing over 48 years
– An argument against online donations
– Give now rather than in your will, reader says
– Reader reckons he deserves his pension, after paying for others
Plus:
– List of charities offering meaningful Christmas gift programmes
Q&As:
– Bonus Bonds work well as on-call account …
– … But not so well as a gift for grand-daughter. Other options for her
– Means-testing NZ Super may cost more than it saves
– Lower-income retirees already get more
– Take care with charity donations in wills
– Tell charities how you want to be treated …
– … Here’s what to do if they ignore your requests
Q&As:
– What to do with a $200,000 Lotto win
– How does Inland Revenue handle Islamic banking?
– Drop in fund value explained
– 2 Q&As on handling charity donations after the donor dies
– Reader explains why millionaire could be aggrieved about NZ Super
– Another reader doesn’t buy my arguments on means-testing Super
– Is means-testing a far left idea?
Q&As:
– Family tree doesn’t explain why women are worse off in retirement
– Should we give more NZ Super to those in need?
– Reader seeks ideas on giving to charity
– Offset mortgage one way parents can help children buy a home — but not a tax break
– Look beyond bank adviser
– Investors in KiwiSaver and other funds pay slightly less tax
WOMEN AND MONEY
Q&As:
– A new kitchen might be best use of $15,000 no longer needed
– What can 66-year-old do to improve her situation? Maybe work longer
– How to find a suitable managed fund
– When lending to family, have a way to get your money out
Q&As: Reader timing market — but the better way. And making huge KiwiSaver contributions; 1% KiwiSaver contribution rate would help those on low incomes; MSD oppressive, says reader, but her points don’t all hold up; Reader thanks his Mum, MSD and me for getting good Super.
Q&As: How 71-year-old renter could use her savings to supplement NZ Super; Reader dislikes ‘free government money’ and KiwiSaver hardship withdrawals; Nobody can predict the share market, so don’t try to time it; Info on KiwiSaver returns is available, but not a lot of use.
Q&As: Should solo mum keep her house and rent it out while moving to better school zone?; Invest in share fund or pay off mortgage?; No government guarantee of future NZ Super, but don’t worry about it; Why a KiwiSaver growth fund invests lots in fixed interest.
Insights from conference on retirement income. Conference run by Retirement Policy and Research Centre at University of Auckland, 26 April 2019. Speakers included Minister of Consumer Affairs Kris Faafoi. Broad aim: Smoothing lifetime consumption. What does that mean?; NZ Super: How poor are 65+ people? Can we afford Super in future?; Health in old age: Not all worrying; Decumulation (spending retirement savings): Help from government needed. Home ownership issues; NZ on world stage: What we do well.
Q&As: Should first home buyer put KiwiSaver money into the purchase?; Should pay rise go into mortgage or KiwiSaver?; Is health insurance necessary?; Reader misunderstands role of NZX; NZ Super rises faster than costs, despite reader’s numbers.