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SuperRatings Releases 2017 Kiwisaver Ratings
Posted in Kiwisaver on
SuperRatings has now released its formal 2017 ratings, awarding seven schemes its highest Platinum rating. Now in its fourth year of rating the KiwiSaver system, SuperRatings recognises that substantial improvements have been made over the year in terms of member engagement and servicing, albeit the challenging investment environment has resulted in subdued returns for many KiwiSaver members and the race to the bottom on fees remains particularly concerning.
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Members may lose the ‘race to the bottom’ on fees, researcher warns
Posted in Kiwisaver, Savings on
A new analysis has debunked the assumption that low fees inevitably equate with better outcomes for KiwiSaver investors. In fact, the study, released by Australian research house SuperRatings last week, found there was “often an inverse relationship between fees and investment outcomes achieved by members”.
View moreKiwiSaver relief for quake-affected
Posted in Kiwisaver on
Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Paul Goldsmith has announced relief for KiwiSaver members who are suffering financial hardship following the November 14 earthquakes, by making it easier for them to withdraw their funds.
View moreDon't panic - your KiwiSaver will outlive Trump's presidency
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KiwiSaver investors are being urged not to panic in the face of wild swings on world financial markets, following Donald Trump's victory in the US presidential election. Wall Street gained ground this morning, after yesterday's selloff on the New Zealand, Australian and Asian markets. But the experts say the volatility is likely to last for months. The Commission for Financial Capability says investors should not lose sight of their long-term savings goals.
View moreAge appropriate KiwiSaver with 'life stages'
Posted in Kiwisaver on
Generate's new 'life stages growth' option has been featured in an article from Stuff. "By offering life stages growth we think we can meet a demand that is not currently being catered for. "We estimate a 30-year old using life stages growth will have approx 10 per cent more at retirement than ordinary life stages." "This could translate into tens of thousands of additional dollars by retirement."
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Social responsibility a rising priority for funds
Posted in Kiwisaver on
SRI is a generic term that combines the financial objectives of investors with environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues. This is based on the concept that companies which place a great deal of importance on ESG issues will achieve superior financial returns. The problem with implementing SRI is that we all have a different view of how the world can be improved. Many investors do not want to support certain products, including armaments, tobacco, alcohol and gambling facilities, while others are concerned about a number of broader issues including the impact of businesses on the environment and the widening gap between senior executive remuneration and wage earners.
View moreKiwiSaver guidelines needed
Posted in Kiwisaver on
Recent media reports could give the impression that KiwiSaver has major problems, particularly fee gouging and illegal investment strategies. KiwiSaver should be subject to media scrutiny but most of the recent commentary has been sensationalist and misguided. The retirement savings initiative has been a huge success, partly because individuals have personally contributed only $13.7 billion to a scheme that is now worth $35.1b according to Reserve Bank figures.
View moreWhy are KiwiSavers saying no to money?
Posted in Kiwisaver on
Figures from the Inland Revenue department show 579,832 adults did not receive any government subsidy in the year to June 30 meaning they put no money into their account. A further 609,141 put in some money but not enough to gain the full subsidy meaning they contributed less than $1043 over the year.
View moreGenerate’s New Product Disclosure Statement
Posted in Kiwisaver on
We have recently lodged a Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) on the Disclose Register, which you can view here: www.business.govt.nz/disclose. As part of transitioning to the Financial Markets Conduct Act this PDS will replace our current Investment Statement from 8 September 2016. Members will receive more information about this in the near future. Kind regards, The Generate Team
View moreWonderfully Flawed
Posted in Kiwisaver on
Many more of us should be getting the $521 each year that we're entitled to if we put in $1,043 ourselves. Over the next year that works out to putting in a bit more than $20 a week in order to get $10 on top of that. Those of us who do this regularly - such as anyone earning at least $34,762 a year and putting in the minimum 3% - are already getting the government money. Nothing more to do. But if we're on a contributions holiday, or if we're in part-time work or self-employed, we could miss out.
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