Someone needs to turbocharge the KiwiSaver scheme

An 18-year-old will be $12,000 worse off at retirement after withdrawing $1,000 for a rental bond, as suggested by National. (Image: Getty)

Warren Couillault

Sat, 16 Sep 2023

Over the past few months, I've been quietly hoping the politicians, as they get into election campaign mode, will start talking about how we can improve KiwiSaver to help it reach its full potential. The strongest version of KiwiSaver was introduced in 2006 by Sir Michael Cullen and, since then, not a single politician has talked about strengthening the scheme.Instead, the various proposals from politicians seem set on removing it from its purpose of helping fund New Zealanders’ retirement.The Key/English National government made...

Subscribe to BusinessDesk

Stay informed on business, government and financial developments across New Zealand.

Stay informed on business, government and financial developments across New Zealand.
Deeply researched, twice-edited and fact-checked news
Annual subscribers also receive a complimentary subscription to The Wall Street Journal
Personalised email news alerts, plus gift up to 5 stories a month to non-subscribers

You can cancel anytime with two clicks, an email or a phone call.
Find out more.

We are serious about journalism.

Name {{ registerForm.errors.get('name') }}

Email address {{ registerForm.errors.get('email') }}

Phone Number {{ registerForm.errors.get('phone') }}

Job Title {{ registerForm.errors.get('title') }}

Password Minimum password length of 8 characters.
Require at least one upper and lowercase, numeric, and special character. {{ registerForm.errors.get('password') }}

Repeat password {{ registerForm.errors.get('password_confirmation') }}

We had trouble validating your card. It's possible your card provider is preventing us from charging the card. Please contact your card provider or customer support.

Credit Card

Cardholder's name

{{ __(plans[index].interval) | capitalize }} {{ plans[index].attributes.old_price | currency }} {{ plans[index].price | currency }}

All subscriptions auto renew but are easy to cancel.

I Accept The Terms Of Service

{{ registerForm.errors.get('terms') }}

Tax: {{ taxAmount(selectedPlan) | currency }}

Total Price Including Tax: {{ priceWithTax(selectedPlan) | currency }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerSeat ? '/ '+ spark.seatName : '' }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerTeam ? '/ '+ __('teams.team') : '' }} / {{ __(selectedPlan.interval) | capitalize }}

Travel

Transylvania's last Saxons revive its stunning ghost villages

They fled Romania's communist dictator. Decades later, they've come home.

Agence France-Presse 5:00am

Health Opinion

Working later in life a lifesaver for some, a drag for others

'It keeps us healthy and gives us an extra reason to get up in the morning’.

The Washington Post 5:00am

Working later in life a lifesaver for some, a drag for others

Services

A box of unopened mail for a Xmas gift. What could go wrong?

Mystery packages popular in the US, but things can quickly go from fun to weird.

The Wall Street Journal 5:00am

A box of unopened mail for a Xmas gift. What could go wrong?

Sponsored

Why Kiwis are embracing Bitcoin ETFs

The once hard-to-access investment option is becoming mainstream.

Smart

Sponsored

Boost worker health, boost results

Research shows flexible workspaces improve health and productivity

Regus

More KiwiSaver

Markets

More scope for KiwiSaver private investment, despite IMF's Aussie concerns

Greg Hurrell 03 Dec 2024

News in Brief

Booster Innovation Fund takes a hit

KiwiSaver provider Booster has written down the value of its Booster Innovation Fund by $664,000 following a decision by one of the 44 businesses in the fund that it will be placed in liquidation.The firm cannot yet be named.The fund is a small part of the total Booster KiwiSaver...

Staff reporters 26 Nov 2024