KiwiSaver investors to see how much they may have in retirement

Media Release
MR No. 2020 – 11
3 June 2020

KiwiSaver investors will see how much money their KiwiSaver investments could provide at age 65 when they open their annual statements this year.

Launching a campaign to help KiwiSaver members interpret their statements, FMA Chief Executive, Rob Everett and Retirement Commissioner, Jane Wrightson said the new information would help people focus on how much money they may have when they retired, and what this would amount to as a weekly income.

"KiwiSaver is a long term investment proposition and it can be difficult for people to visualise how much the money they contribute today will, or could amount to at retirement," said Mr Everett.

"To make it easier for people, this year’s statements include a projection of how much money each KiwiSaver member may have when they turn 65. Of course, this is not a guarantee but is based on some assumptions to be applied across all member statements. While some may be pleasantly surprised at how much they could potentially have at age 65, others might want to make some changes to boost their retirement savings."

Mr Everett said the statements were arriving when many investors in balanced or growth funds have seen a negative fund performance for the year to 30 March 2020, because of a sharp downturn in financial markets associated with COVID-19.

"KiwiSaver is nearly 13 years old and most investors are used to seeing their balances head continually upwards. There’s only been one other time – the Global Financial Crisis (GFC) a decade ago - when KiwiSaver balances were impacted this negatively, so this will be unfamiliar territory for many. After an unusually long period of growth in asset prices, it’s fair to say KiwiSaver members have been given a crash course in the risks and the volatility in investing over the last few months" said Mr Everett.

Ms Wrightson said retirement may seem a long way off for many, and that’s what made KiwiSaver a long game.

"KiwiSaver investments in shares and property can swing up and down, "sometimes dramatically, but historically deliver better returns over the long term. Find out which fund is the right one for you and stick with it – you’ll reap the rewards in years to come."

What’s the important information you can find in your statement this year?

• Estimated potential retirement projections as a lump sum and converted into a weekly income
• Contributions
• Investment gains or losses
• Tax paid
• Fees paid in dollars

What you should do?

Take a look at your statement. Ask yourself these questions:　

• Am I happy with the amount of money I’ll have at 65 – does it fit with what I think I will need in my retirement?
• Am I in the right KiwiSaver fund to deliver what I think I will need?
• Am I getting good value from my KiwiSaver provider – do their fees seem reasonable, do I have good access to the information I need?
• What would happen to my projected end balance if I could afford to contribute more?

Remember these important tips:

• There are lots of different tools on the FMA and Sorted websites to help people.
• For anyone starting to accumulate sizeable balances and wanting to plan for their retirement, we encourage people to seek financial advice.
• We understand that many people could be struggling in the current economic conditions, but always remember that KiwiSaver is a long-term investment – keeping contributions going even through tough times, if at all possible, will have a big impact on what you get out of it at 65 and beyond.

FMA KiwiSaver looksee campaign page

sorted.org.nz/

ENDS

Media contacts:

Andrew Park
FMA Media Relations Manager
[email protected] 
021 220 6770

Campbell Gibson
FMA Senior Adviser, Media Relations
[email protected] 
021 945 323

Estelle Sarney
CFFC Media & Communications Manager
[email protected] 
021 246 4302