Kiwisaver Three Years On
3 years on, over $5.5 billion invested across 1.4 million members and still 1,000 new members are signing up each day!
Do you need to speak with us to discuss your options?
KiwiSaver First Home Buyer Incentives now available
The 3rd Anniversary of KiwiSaver also marks the commencement of the first home purchase withdrawal facility and the first home purchase subsidy. From1 July these benefits became available to eligible members.
SAVING FOR YOUR FIRST HOME WITH KIWISAVER
While KiwiSaver is mainly about saving for your retirement, there are 2 benefits for KiwiSaver members who are saving for their first home.
Benefit 1: Savings Withdrawal To Buy A Member’s First Home
To help members with a deposit for their first home, they may be able to withdraw some or all of their KiwiSaver savings (except for the $1,000 kick-start and member tax credit).
Eligible criteria:
• You must have been a KiwiSaver member or a member of a complying fund for three or more years.
• You can only withdraw money to buy your first home – not an investment property.
If the member owned a home before, in some circumstances they may still be eligible to withdraw their savings. For more information the member can visit the Housing New Zealand website www.hnzc.govt.nz or call them on 0800 801 601 to determine if they are in the same financial position as a first home buyer.
Benefit 2: KiwiSaver First Home Deposit Subsidy
From 1 July 2010, after 3 years of contributing to KiwiSaver, members may be entitled to a first home deposit subsidy. The subsidy is administered by Housing New Zealand NOT the KiwiSaver provider.
The first home deposit subsidy is $1,000 for each year the member has been contributing to KiwiSaver, up to a maximum of $5,000 for five years. If they are a couple buying a house together and they both qualify for a subsidy, they can receive a combined subsidy of up to $10,000. Income and house price caps will apply.
To be eligible for the first home deposit subsidy, the member must:
• have contributed at least 2% of their income to a KiwiSaver scheme, or a complying superannuation scheme, for at least 3 years
• be buying their first home*
• be planning to live in the house for at least 6 months.
* If they have owned a home before, in some circumstances they may still be eligible for the first home deposit subsidy. Housing New Zealand will need to determine that they are in the same financial position as a first home buyer.
To find out more, visit the Housing New Zealand website www.hnzc.govt.nz or call them on 0508 935 266
After They’ve Bought Their Home
Once they have made a withdrawal from their KiwiSaver account to buy their first home, they will remain a KiwiSaver member.
Considering KiwiSaver – need some quick pointers?
See the attached link for one minute of KiwiSaver tips…
Let us know if you need further advice.
KiwiSaver – the key to your first home
As we approach the third anniversary of KiwiSaver, many New Zealanders will be thinking about the tax free government housing subsidy available from 1 July 2010 – just one of the many benefits of KiwiSaver. In addition, members will be able to apply to withdraw their contributions to buy a first home or purchase land to build a first home. So, how does it work?
First home deposit subsidy
After 3 years of contributing at least 2% of their income to KiwiSaver, members will be able to apply for a one-off grant* of $1,000 for each year they’ve contributed to KiwiSaver. The subsidy increases by $1,000 per year up to $5,000. So, if they successfully apply for the subsidy after 5 years of contributing to KiwiSaver, they will receive $5,000. Eligible couples can also combine their subsidies up to $10,000.
First home withdrawal
After 3 years of being invested in KiwiSaver, members will be able to withdraw their own contributions and their employer’s contributions for a home deposit (excluding the $1,000 kick start and Member Tax Credits). It must be their first home not an investment property. There is no minimum contribution amount to be eligible for the first home withdrawal. And for those second home buyers, they may still be eligible to withdraw their contributions if they’re in the same financial position as a first home buyer.
If members are eligible for this fantastic offer, they’ll stay a member of KiwiSaver and continue to grow their savings while taking advantage of the scheme’s other great benefits.
For more information visit www.hnzc.co.nz or www.kiwisaver.govt.nz
* Income, house caps and other eligibility criteria apply.
Contact Thorners if you need any advice on KiwiSaver.
Thorners April 2010 Newsletter
Click on the link below to download our latest newsletter which features KiwiSaver.
Kiwisaver turns three very soon and has a huge following.
Click here to see why in the april newsletter
Click here to view our disclosure statement
Click here to email Thorners or Call Us on (04) 528 8088
Client – Self employed KiwiSaver Scenario
Client – Self employed Scenario
Jonny joined KiwiSaver once he realised that the Government was going to help out with his savings, no matter if he earned money via a salary or not. Denis explained that most workers contribute either 2%, 4% or 8% out of their salary but if you aren’t paid via PAYE you can put in whatever you like. Jonny puts in $20 as that is the maximum the Government will match him with member tax credits.
What do you like about KiwiSaver Jonny? I didn’t want to miss out on what everyone else gets with KiwiSaver. I like that I have the freedom to put in whatever I like into my account. My business is my main focus at the moment but it’s good to know I’ll have a nest egg for when I do get older.
Discuss your KiwiSaver options with Thorners.
Click here to view our disclosure statement.
Click here to email Thorners or Call Us on (04) 528 8088
Client – 47 year old divorcee KiwiSaver Scenario
Client – 47 year old divorcee
Sarah joined KiwiSaver as she wanted to get back on the property ladder. Sarah had previously owned her own home but when her marriage broke up she had to start back at scratch saving once more.
What do you like about KiwiSaver Sarah? I didn’t realise that I could also be eligible for the Housing Corp subsidy, even though I had owned a property previously. Denis spoke to me about the ‘second chance’ home buyer which was just like the situation I am in. I’m saving again to buy my ‘first home’ with KiwiSaver – I can get the Housing Corp subsidy plus take out my contributions and my employers contributions after only three years – it’s given me a whole new independence!
discuss your Kiwisaver options with Thorners.
Click here to email Thorners or Call Us on (04) 528 8088
Click here to view our disclosure statement.
Client – 55-65 year old KiwiSaver Scenario
Client – 55-65 year old scenario
Jerry joined up with KiwiSaver last year. He’s 61 and while he’s already got plans in place for his retirement, Denis spoke to him about making the most out of KiwiSaver so he joined up.
What do you like about KiwiSaver Jerry? It’s a no brainer for someone my age – I join, put in my $20 a week and the government matches it! By the time I retire I’ve worked out that I could have at least $11,000. That’s going to be my holiday to Europe!
Discuss your Kiwisaver options with Thorners.
Click here to email Thorners or Call Us on (04) 528 8088
Click here to view our disclosure statement.
Young Couple KiwiSaver Scenario
Young Couple Scenario
Mike and Sally have both joined KiwiSaver. Mike was automatically enrolled when he started his new job but he then spoke to Denis who helped him decide which KiwiSaver provider and product was best suited for him. Sally’s a stay at home Mum and wanted to make the most out of what the Government was giving away so she joined up too.
What do you like about KiwiSaver Sally? I can log on to my providers website and see my balance online. It’s simple to understand and at least I can track where my money is going.
What do you like about KiwiSaver Mike? Denis spoke to me about how KiwiSaver can help me buy our first home. We’ve been saving up for a home for a few years but never seem to get far. With KiwiSaver, Housing Corp could give us up to $10,000 as a couple to use as a deposit. I can also use my own KiwiSaver money for that deposit too – it makes savings easier. My KiwiSaver money comes out before I get my pay check so I don’t even notice it – it’s only $2 for every $100 I earn anyway.
Discuss your KiwiSaver options with Thorners
Click here to view our disclosure statement.
Click here to email Thorners or Call Us on (04) 528 8088
KiwiSaver Statistics January 2010
KiwiSaver continues to gain momentum.
At the end of January 2010 there were 1,305,127 members with potentially 491,330 being in default funds. There are benefits from choosing your own provider and fund so let’s talk about your options if you have gone to a default provider.
If you are still sitting on the fence over whether to join or not, contact us soon to see if KiwiSaver fits your personal situation.
The ability to transfer Australian Super into KiwiSaver is still not in place and this is expected mid year – watch our website for developments.
Members continue to be amazed with the speed with which their funds are accumulating. If your provider doesn’t offer online access, give us a call and we can discuss options to make this facility available 24/7.
We welcome your call or email to ask about KiwiSaver and look forward to hearing from you soon.
Click here to view our disclosure statement.
Click here to email Thorners or Call Us on (04) 528 8088
