Big news in the KiwiSaver world! Companies managing KiwiSaver funds are making some changes in how they invest. They're cutting ties with companies that don't meet ethical standards, according to Mindful Money, an ethical rating site. This shift is the biggest we've seen in the last five years. Even though more KiwiSaver investors say they want to invest ethically, there's a bit of a gap between what they say and what they do. National Capital KiwiSaver HealthCheck data shows that only 8.3% of people in the past year were willing to give up some potential money or pay higher fees for Environme ..read more

The KiwiSaver program is a vital component of New Zealand's retirement savings landscape. Established in 2007, it is designed to encourage New Zealand citizens to save for retirement by providing various incentives and investment options. In recent years, there has been a significant and surprising trend within the KiwiSaver program—Baby Boomers, those aged 65 and above, have been increasingly withdrawing substantial sums from their KiwiSaver accounts due to the rise in term deposit rates. Explore this current trend in bank term deposits and its implications on KiwiSaver funds. Soaring Bank ..read more

How is KiwiSaver treated in divorce? In divorce or separation cases in New Zealand, KiwiSaver is treated as "relationship property," which means it must be divided equally between the parties involved, as per the Property (Relationships) Act. However, there are some key points to consider: What is Relationship Property: KiwiSaver contributions made during the period when the couple was together, as well as any returns or gains generated from those contributions, are considered "relationship property." This means that only the portion of the KiwiSaver balance linked to contributions and growth ..read more

ASB Bank has introduced a new aggressive KiwiSaver fund, the ASB KiwiSaver Scheme Aggressive Fund. This fund is designed to provide customers with the potential for the highest long-term investment returns among ASB's offerings, with a significant emphasis on growth assets. Adam Boyd, ASB's Executive General Manager of Personal Banking, highlighted the increasing customer demand for such investment options, noting a substantial 25% year-on-year growth in aggressive investments within the KiwiSaver market. Aggressive KiwiSaver funds are characterised by their focus on capital appreciation, typi ..read more

Using the most recent returns and fund update reports as of September 2023, we will examine OneAnswer’s recent KiwiSaver performance.  OneAnswer is a KiwiSaver scheme run by ANZ bank. It is run by ANZ Investments. The bank of ANZ itself was established in Sydney, Australia under the Royal Charter. It was established in New Zealand in 1840, making it New Zealand’s oldest bank. It has a strong heritage in Business Banking and offers a full range of banking options, including Personal, Rural, Corporate, Commercial, Institutional and Private Banking. In 1951, UBA and the Bank of Australasia m ..read more

What Should I Set My KiwiSaver Contributions At? Setting the contribution rate for your KiwiSaver account is a personal decision that depends on your financial goals, income, and individual circumstances. Here are some general guidelines to consider when determining your KiwiSaver contribution: Meet the Minimum: Ensure you're contributing the minimum required by law, 3% of your gross salary or wages. Your employer must also contribute at least 3%, so contributing at least 3% is a good standard that everyone should be doing. Aim higher: While the legal minimum is 3%, many financial experts ..read more

Can I Use KiwiSaver To Pay Off Credit Card Debt? KiwiSaver is a savings program that helps individuals save for retirement or to buy their first home. It has some rules and regulations about withdrawing money. Usually, you can't use KiwiSaver money to pay off credit card debt. However, in some exceptional situations, you might be allowed to take out some money due to financial hardship and use it to pay off credit card debt. Financial hardship withdrawals are subject to strict criteria and are intended for situations where you are experiencing significant financial difficulties. To be eligibl ..read more

Using the most recent returns and fund update reports from September 2023, we will examine Nikko AM’s recent KiwiSaver Performance. Over NZD$8.08 billion in investments are actively managed by Nikko Asset Management. The company’s Auckland-based investment teams look after domestic assets, while our carefully chosen offshore managers look after international assets. In 1994, Norwich Union Fund Management was established in New Zealand, which was the beginning of the company’s journey. One of the biggest asset managers in Asia, Nikko Asset Management, offers high-conviction, active fund managem ..read more

What Reasons Can You Withdraw From KiwiSaver? In New Zealand, there are several circumstances in which you can withdraw funds from your KiwiSaver account. Here are the most common reasons for making a withdrawal: Retirement: At 65, you can access your KiwiSaver savings with flexibility. You can withdraw the money in regular amounts to ensure a steady income, take a lump sum for specific goals or investments, or establish a regular income stream that complements your retirement income sources. This flexibility empowers you to tailor your KiwiSaver funds to meet your retirement needs.  Re ..read more

Using the most recent returns from September 2023, we will examine Kōura Wealth's recent KiwiSaver Performance. Kōura Wealth is an all-digital advisory firm, established in October 2019. They manage six KiwiSaver Funds and have 1,970 KiwiSaver Members and over $65 million in Funds Under Management. Kōura Wealth has a 0.63% fee in addition to a $30 annual fee for members over the age of 18.   Table of Contents Performance of Kōura Wealth KiwiSaver Funds Kōura Wealth Cash Fund Kōura Wealth NZ Equities Fund Kōura Wealth US Equities Fund Kōura Wealth Emerging Markets Equities Fund Kōura Wealt ..read more