After a soft 2022 for markets, many investors were apprehensive about what 2023 would deliver. The year began with inflation still elevated, central banks continuing to increase interest rates, and many were concerned about the possibility of a global recession. On top of that, Kiwis were faced with the impacts of Cyclone Gabrielle and a slowing housing market, whilst globally we saw the collapse of several US banks, the continuation of the war in Ukraine, and a new conflict arise in the Middle East. Despite all of these concerns, markets delivered very strong returns for the year. Global shar ..read more

How does KiwiSaver work? KiwiSaver is an optional investment scheme set up by the New Zealand Government to help New Zealand citizens and permanent residents save for retirement. You are able to contribute 3%, 4%, 6% 8% or even 10% of your salary to KiwiSaver and can also make voluntary contributions. KiwiSaver funds are typically invested in a range of assets such as shares, bonds, and property. Members can choose from various fund types based on their risk tolerance and financial goals. There are generally five different types: -       Defensive -  &nb ..read more

January is a time to look at your life and see where you want to make improvements. From eating better to getting fitter and losing weight, the list of improvement possibilities is long.  But for millions of people, money is the biggest concern. With this in mind, we have come up with five tips that KiwiSaver members can use to help bolster their savings accounts. Now is as good a time as any to look for Investment advice, find out how KiwiSaver works, and think about how you are invested in KiwiSaver. Take positive action on what will be one of your biggest and most important assets in t ..read more

Investors seem to be comfortable with the idea that interest rates will remain on the higher side for an extended period, with any potential changes in interest rate policies not expected until 2024. Closer to home, there are factors in the short term that could boost the local economy, such as increased immigration and government spending, which might slow down the expected decrease in prices. However, there are concerns about the global economy possibly slowing down. This could lead to some risks for those who invest in stocks and bonds, particularly because central banks take time to adjust ..read more

To help New Zealand investors assess the past performance of the KiwiSaver funds available we collated data from the Morningstar KiwiSaver Survey for March 2023, the most recent survey conducted and identified the three worst-performing funds in each multi-sector category based on their most recent 5-year average performances as at 31 March 2023, after fees but before tax. It is most appropriate to evaluate the performance of a KiwiSaver fund by studying its long-term returns along with several other factors to consider when deciding on a KiwiSaver fund that is right for you including: Respo ..read more

Many self-employed people don’t see the benefit of KiwiSaver so miss out on the rewards. They know they won’t get the employer contribution, therefore, are hesitant to lock any of their money away until retirement. They also see it as their tax money that pays for the government contributions, so where is the real benefit? If you’re self-employed your income may also be irregular and uncertain, so paying into KiwiSaver may be at the expense of paying other bills like your mortgage. Effectively, it can seem like trading your safety net today for some certainty in retirement. However, an auto pa ..read more

The start of 2023 has been marked by continued volatility, much like 2022. The war in Ukraine continues, central banks have continued to raise rates to bring inflation under control, and investors weigh the impact higher rates will have on the global economy. Added to that, we have also seen the failure of several smaller US banks and Credit Suisse. While central banks have swiftly stepped in to contain the flow-on impacts, uncertainty in financial markets persists. Despite all of this, KiwiSaver investors have started the year off well. The average multisector category returns ranged from 2.9 ..read more

The Booster KiwiSaver Scheme Geared Growth Fund is our preferred aggressive multi-sector KiwiSaver fund for KiwiSaver investors with a long investment horizon (15 years or more) and who are willing to accept significant volatility with their investment. Please keep in mind that this information is not intended to be financial advice. If you'd like to receive tailored KiwiSaver advice to determine whether this fund is right for you, please complete our KiwiSaver Discovery Questionnaire. Fund: Booster Geared Growth About: The Geared Growth Fund is designed to enable long-term savers to gain the ..read more

KiwiSaver is a voluntary savings scheme in New Zealand that is designed to help individuals save for their retirement. If you have been contributing to KiwiSaver for at least three years, you may be eligible to withdraw your savings under certain circumstances. In this article, we will explore the various ways you can withdraw your KiwiSaver in New Zealand. Retirement Withdrawal The most common way to withdraw your KiwiSaver is through retirement. You can start withdrawing your KiwiSaver funds when you reach the age of 65, or earlier if you qualify for early retirement. If you choose to with ..read more

Investing during a recession can be an opportunity to buy assets at lower prices, but it can also be risky. Here are ten things to consider when investing during a recession: Understand the nature of the recession: Every recession is different, with different causes and impacts on different sectors of the economy. It's important to do your research and understand the factors contributing to the current recession. Assess your risk tolerance: Investing during a recession can be riskier than during a bull market. It's important to assess your risk tolerance and invest accordingly. Diversify ..read more