Superannuation & retirement
How long might I live for in retirement?
See how long you might expect to live in retirement. Read more.
Managed incomes
When you reach retirement there are a few ways to convert your superannuation savings into an income. This article looks specifically at "managed incomes" and explains how they work. Read more.
How much super is enough?
See how much savings you may need to live on in retirement. Read more.
Understanding NZ Super
New Zealand residents are entitled to receive NZ Super (the old age pension) if they satisfy the eligibility criteria. Read more.
Common rules for your retirement plan
Ten things to think about as you plan for retirement. Read more.
KiwiSaver
Mary Holm – which KiwiSaver scheme?
Mary Holm from the NZ Herald Business section (Saturday 13 February 2010) provided a step-by-step guide on how to choose the best KiwiSaver provider. It was from her book The Complete KiwiSaver. Read more.
KiwiSaver overview
KiwiSaver is designed to help people save for their retirement. This includes employees, the self-employed, beneficiaries, stay-at-home parents and children. Read more.
Understanding KiwiSaver – example
Using an example, this article explains how KiwiSaver works for employees. Read more.
Understanding what you gain from KiwiSaver
This article looks at what employees can gain from KiwiSaver based on three income levels: $26,000, $40,000 and $52,150. Read more.
Buying your first home with KiwiSaver
If you have not owned a house or land before, KiwiSaver is a great way to help save for your first home. If you have owned a house before but do not now, and are in a similar financial position as a “first home buyer”, KiwiSaver may also be able to help you. This is referred to as a “second chance”. Read more.
Fees are important
This article discusses the significance of fees in the context of KiwiSaver. Read more.
KiwiSaver HomeStart Grant
This article provides details about Housing New Zealand's HomeStart Grant for KiwiSaver. Read more.
First home withdrawal
This article provides details about the KiwiSaver first home withdrawal rules. Read more.
Guardianship for children under KiwiSaver
This article covers the basics about guardianship including its role in signing up children to KiwiSaver and the different types of guardians. Read more.
Increase your KiwiSaver savings with MTC
This article looks at how you can maximise the government's member tax credits (MTCs). Read more.
KiwiSaver – understanding member tax credits
This article explains the member tax credits (MTCs) that are paid by the government into eligible accounts each year. Read more.
KiwiSaver – key features for employees and employers
This article looks at the features of KiwiSaver as they apply to employees and employers. Read more.
Saving for retirement – the KiwiSaver way
One of the best ways to save for retirement is through KiwiSaver – this article explains why. Read more.
What's in it for me – $34,762
This article looks at the benefits for people in KiwiSaver earning $34,762. See also:
Investments
Understanding debt
Debt occurs because we spend more than we earn and borrow the shortfall. High debt levels occur when we spend more than we earn for a long period of time. Read more.
Living with investment risk
For the purposes of this article, we look at investment risk as the chance of losing all or some of your savings. We note that risk is more than simply losing some money, but avoiding the permanent loss of money is important. Read more.
Investing - it's time not timing
There is a saying about investing - ‘it’s time, not timing that is important’. You cannot get a good 10 year average return, if you are not invested in the markets for 10 years. Read more.
A stock picker's market
When you invest, shares have to be chosen. It is therefore always a stock picker's market. The key is getting the right basis to picking the stock. Read more.
The golden principles of investing
The principles for successful investing are the same as those of life in general. Read more.
Winning strategies
For an investor to be successful, they need to achieve their financial goals and have the confidence that they will. Read more.
Cash, bonds or shares?
The pros and cons of investing in cash, bonds or shares. Read more.
Passive is best
Find out why a low cost, low turnover, highly diversified investment approach probably results in better outcomes for most investors. Read more.
Secrets of successful investors
Most successful investors adopt policies based on tried and true investment practices and principles. They do this consistently in both good times and bad times to avoid chasing returns and investing in what is currently “hot”. Read more.
Understanding investment risk
The term risk means different things to different people. For many, it is something to be avoided. For others, it is an opportunity and and acceptable part of everyday life. Read more.
Understanding negative returns from bonds
This article looks at why we get negative returns from bonds, in particular the key factors of interest rate movements and investment term. Read more.
Understanding negative returns from shares
This article looks at how often should we expect a negative return over set periods of time based on historical data. It also looks at what we can expect in the future. Read more.
Will shares produce the highest returns long-term?
This article discusses why shares are likely to provide the highest returns long-term. Read more.
Understanding inflation
This article looks at the impact that inflation can have on investments and investment returns. Read more.
Investing in retirement
This article discusses, through examples, how someone entering retirement might invest their savings. Read more.
Investing in shares should not be a gamble
When investing in the share market it is normally better to buy quality companies and hold them for the long term. Read more.
Insurance
Working out insurance costs
This article provides examples and tools to help you work out what your insurance costs may be. Read more.
Financial health & miscellaneous
Achieving financial success
The trick to getting ahead is not hoping to win Lotto, it’s about setting sensible long-term goals and learning to be successful along the way, by achieving a series of short-term goals. Read more.
Enduring power of attorney
This article explains the concept of an enduring power of attorney. Read more.
Paying off debt
This article discusses when to pay off debt, and when to save. It also covers basic practices around debt and mortgages as well as the impact that KiwiSaver can have on your situation. Read more.
Wills
This article covers all you need to know about wills including why you should have a will, what is involved in creating a will, and what happens if you don't have a will. Read more.
No asset procedure
This article explains the No Asset Procedure for individuals in financial trouble as an alternative to bankruptcy. Read more.
Payments on death under $15,000
An article explaining what happens with benefit payments when a person dies intestate (without a will) or has not nominated beneficiaries. Read more.
