SuperLife has made a number of changes to its investment options in recent times. There will also be some additional changes over the next few months.
Introduction of 17 new ETF Funds
In September we introduced 17 exchange traded funds (ETF Funds) for members to invest in, bringing the total number to 19. All ETFs are managed by Smartshares and are listed on the New Zealand Stock Exchange.
The ETFs let members who are interested create their own portfolio. You can for example, introduce a bias to European shares, or small US companies. Each of the current 19 ETF Funds are designed to track a particular market index.
The 19 ETF Funds are:
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New Zealand |
Australia |
Overseas |
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NZ Dividend ETF |
Aust Top 20 Leaders ETF |
Total World ETF |
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NZ 50 Portfolio ETF |
Aust Dividend ETF |
US S&P 500 ETF |
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NZ Top 10 ETF |
Aust Financials ETF |
Europe ETF |
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NZ MidCap ETF |
Aust Property ETF |
Asia Pacific ETF |
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Aust Resources ETF |
US Growth ETF |
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Aust MidCap ETF |
US Value ETF |
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US MidCap ETF |
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US Small ETF |
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Emerging Markets ETF |
The ETF Funds are available under our superannuation scheme, our KiwiSaver scheme and Ascot. Ascot lets members transfer their UK pension to a New Zealand superannuation scheme, now that KiwiSaver schemes can’t receive such transfer values.
The ETF Funds can be combined by members with the other SuperLife Funds. There is no minimum amount you need to put in.
Further details of the ETF Funds are in the investment statements and are on our website.
Further ETF Funds
Over the next two months we are looking to add four ETF Funds that will cover the cash and bond sectors and local property. When these are finalised we will put details on the website.
Overseas bonds
We currently have two Funds; Overseas Bonds Fund and Overseas Non-government Bonds Fund. Over recent years the number of members who have invested in the Overseas Bonds Fund has reduced, as most members have wanted something other than a pure government bond Fund. Therefore, over recent months we have been looking at the options we offer members to invest in overseas bonds. We have also looked at the manager options available and common market practice.
The conclusion of our review is that the current Overseas Bonds Fund (which is focused on government bonds), would benefit by having a wider mandate, to incorporate all investment grade bonds and not just the sovereign bonds of overseas governments. We also believe that there will be an advantage in having the Fund managed by Pimco and not SSgA.
Accordingly, in mid October we intend to change the benchmark for the Overseas Bond Fund from the Citigroup Government Bond Index to the Barclays Global Aggregate Investment Grade Bond Index and to invest in a Pimco managed portfolio. Further details will be put on the website in due course.
Investment options expanded
SuperLife now has 46 investment options.
For most members, one of the 12 standard Managed Funds, strategies or Mixes will be optimal (e.g. SuperLife60, AIMFirst Home or AIMAge Steps). The Managed Funds have particular objectives designed for members’ specific needs. We also call them “tick-the-box” options.
For other members, creating their own strategy out of the 14 Sector Funds will let them achieve their investment objectives efficiently. For a few members, creating their own portfolio using the 19 ETF Funds will suit them. The 46th option is Ethica - a “balanced” socially responsible investment option.
To find out more about the investment options, go to the SuperLife website and download the investment statements or the investment options booklet.
Smartkiwi
Smartkiwi is the KiwiSaver scheme of Smartshares. Smartshares, like SuperLife, is owned by NZX Limited.
In recent days NZX has closed the smartkiwi scheme and Smartshares has applied to the FMA for consent to transfer the members of smartkiwi to the SuperLife KiwiSaver scheme. If FMA consents to the transfer, approximately 1300 members will join SuperLife from smartkiwi in November.
Questions
If you have any questions, please contact us on 0800 27 87 37 or email SuperLife@SuperLife.co.nz.
