Australia Super transfer to New Zealand update…..
(courtesy of Fisher Funds).
It has been a while since we provided an update on the Trans Tasman portability of your Super and this hasn’t been because we have forgotten about it. Unfortunately the process is taking a little longer than everyone initially anticipated. The required legislation has been passed in New Zealand and we are waiting for Australia to do the same in order to keep the process moving.
The Australian Treasury office has recently confirmed that they have reached the drafting stage for the scheme legislation which will allow the return of retirement savings to New Zealand workers whose super has been locked in Australia since they returned to New Zealand.
Whilst this is a great step forward we will still have to wait until the legislation is passed in Australia and think that this may not be until early 2012. However we will continue to keep you updated on progress.
Click here to view our disclosure statement.
Click here to email Thorners or Call Us on (04) 528 8088
Premium refunds on life policies are reintroduced
Life insurance premium refunds have just been reintroduced to New Zealand.
We need to speak soon if you want the ability to have life insurance cover and to get a premium refund after a specified term. Follow the links below or call me directly to discuss how this may fit into your personal insurance plan – Denis Thorner 0274 575190
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
Click here to view our disclosure statement.
Click here to email Thorners or Call Us on (04) 528 8088
Australian super transfer update November 2009
Legislation allowing New Zealanders returning home from Australia to bring their retirement savings with them will be introduced to Parliament in about two weeks, Finance Minister Bill English says.
Providing the necessary law changes are made in Australia, it is envisaged the new arrangements will take effect in the second half of next year.
“This is an important step forward for our wider Single Economic Market programme with Australia, particularly in helping the free movement of labour between the two countries,” Mr English says.
“In particular, it will allow New Zealanders and Australians to consolidate their financial affairs in the country in which they live.”
Currently, Kiwis who work in Australia must contribute to an Australian complying superannuation fund. However, the savings are locked into the Australian scheme until the saver reaches retirement age.
Mr English signed an agreement with Australian Treasurer Wayne Swan in July, which paved the way for the new super portability scheme.
It will allow retirement savings from certain Australian superannuation funds to be transferred into New Zealand KiwSaver funds – and vice versa. New Zealanders bringing their savings home must put them into a KiwiSaver fund.
Australia’s Tax Office has estimated that it holds about A$13 billion (NZ$16.6 billion) in “lost accounts” in the Australian superannuation system.
“We expect that much of this money could belong to New Zealanders who have returned home and these new rules will allow these funds to be brought back to New Zealand,” Mr English says.
Participation in the super portability scheme will be voluntary.
The Government will include the changes in the Taxation (Annual Rates, Trans-Tasman Savings Portability, KiwiSaver and Remedial Matters) Bill, expected to be introduced to Parliament in mid November. Key facts about the Super portability changes
The transfer of retirement savings between the two countries will be exempt from entry and exit taxes. Under current tax laws, transferring savings from Australia to New Zealand may be regarded as a taxable dividend. The proposed legislation will ensure this does not happen.
KiwiSaver members moving from New Zealand to Australia will be able to retain any member tax credits if they transfer to an Australian scheme.
KiwiSaver members will not be able to withdraw money transferred from Australia to help them buy their first home, but they can use the interest earned on those savings for this purpose.
Retirement savings transferred from Australia into a New Zealand KiwiSaver scheme can be withdrawn when members reach the age of 60 as long as they have retired – as set out under Australian scheme rules. KiwiSaver savings transferred to Australian schemes can be withdrawn when members reach 65 – as per New Zealand KiwiSaver rules.
Contact Thorners if you have questions or require advice on this exciting financial development – we service clients NZ wide.
Click here to email Thorners or Call Us on (04) 528 8088
Click here to view our disclosure statement.
Click here to view our disclosure statement.
Click here to email Thorners or Call Us on (04) 528 8088
KiwiSaver Statistics June 2009
KiwiSaver has recently had a second birthday that celebrated over 1,100,500 members. Of these people 52% were female and only 18% of the total membership were aged 55 plus.
Employee deductions in June 2009 amounted to $62,477,285 and for the financial year ending 30 June were $916,603,051. Total payments by the IRD to providers including kick starts and member tax credits amounted to $2,116,241,037.
Have all of your family had their slice of the cake from KiwiSaver? Whether working or not, so long as you or your family members are under 65 years of age, we can show you how to benefit from KiwSaver. The compounding effect of the additional benefits is hard to beat in the current financial climate.
Contact us if you require more information or would like to join.
Click here to view our disclosure statement
Click here to email Thorners or Call Us on (04) 528 8088
Click here to view our disclosure statement.
Click here to email Thorners or Call Us on (04) 528 8088
Sentinel Lifetime Loan Interest Rate Change from 30 March 2009
Sentinel have advised that the floating rate for their Lifetime Loans will drop to 7.40% p.a. effective from 30 March 2009.
This is a dramatic drop reflecting current market changes and takes affordability of the lifetime loan to a new level.
If you are retired, own a home and are suffering financial distress or just need some additional cashflow, there has never been a better time to consider a Sentinel Lifetime Loan.
Thorners offer a NZ wide service so call or email us for more information on Sentinel Lifetime Loans today. All discussions are confidential.
New Zealand wide service – let us know your situation today to allow us the opportunity to provide you with some options
Click here to email Thorners or Call Us on (04) 528 8088
Click here to view our disclosure statement
Click here to view our disclosure statement.
Click here to email Thorners or Call Us on (04) 528 8088
Easing The Squeeze – 3 Key Review Areas
The current financial climate is proving to be a difficult time for many of us at the moment and I am finding that many of my clients are trying to get through by juggling their finances but they are still not making headway.
I am here to help you and my valued clients and I have taken the opportunity to note three key areas where I can offer assistance to review your circumstances.
Many of us have mortgages on a variety of interest rate options. You may be unaware but a considerable portion of my business involves home loans. I am able to assist with new purchases, top ups to clear existing high interest rate HP’s and credit cards, refinancing existing home loans and advising on fixed interest rate rollovers.
I can currently obtain 12 month fixed rate lending at *5.80% p.a. and a floating rate of *6.80% p.a. with no application fee for refinances, no ongoing re-fixing fees for fixed rate lending and no bank transactional fees. Rates continue to move and we can expect further movement in the next few days. You should contact me before making any home lending decisions.
Call me to discuss your home loan options – you may be surprised how simple the process to change provider can be and the amount of the savings to be made from some subtle restructuring.
We all want to provide cash for our loved ones by having a combination of Life, Trauma, Medical and Disability Income insurance but balancing premiums against our budgets can be an ongoing battle.
In recent times, many insurers have reviewed their premium structures and I am able to offer some extremely competitive pricing especially for top up Life and Trauma Insurance. By reviewing your Medical insurance excess and the wait period on Disability Income cover, it may also be possible to extend the extent of your cover.
If you are looking for large long term Life insurance premium savings and the ability to retain policy affordability well into retirement, then you need to be on the “Level Premium” option for some of your Life cover.
Please allow me to quote and show you the difference levelling can make to your life premiums.
The membership of KiwiSaver continues to grow with over 900,000 current members. I believe in the benefits of KiwiSaver and feel only those Kiwi’s who do not understand it are not members.
From 1 April 2009 members will be able to contribute 2% of their income, down from 4%. This increases affordability and you should discuss your options with me either before joining or before altering your contribution rate.
I would also like to point out that the membership opportunities for children and the nearly retired under 65 year olds are tremendous. Where else can you get $1,000 for free and no need to contribute further if you are not working? Self employed workers not on a PAYE deduction basis for their tax also have the opportunity to contribute as little as $20 per week to get the Government’s match of up to $1,043 p.a..
Speak to me soon about the benefits of KiwiSaver for your personal family situation.
These are only three key areas where I may be able to help you to “Ease the Squeeze”. My website www.thorner.co.nz contains other information and I would recommend to you and your family to browse the information and informative blogs on the website
As an incentive to view the web site, I am offering a free scratchy to the first 50 people to complete the Lifestyle Check and to respond by answering the following question using the “click here to email us” line at the end of the Lifestyle questionnaire…
How many questions are there in the web based Thorners Lifestyle Check?
Any client having a new “Level” Term Life policy issued before 30 April 2009 is also in the draw for a carton of Whitehaven wine – there has never been a better time to talk to me!
As you can see – there is plenty of scope for optimism this year and I am here to help you, your family and your friends. Please refer anybody to me that may be suffering financial distress.
I look forward to hearing from you soon to discuss your options for 2009.
*Mortgage interest rates are subject to change and applications are subject to meeting lenders application criteria and subsequent approval
** All investments are subject to receiving a copy of my Investment Disclosure which is available free of charge from my website or office.
Click here to email Thorners or Call Us on (04) 528 8088
Click here to view our disclosure statement.
Click here to email Thorners or Call Us on (04) 528 8088
KiwiSaver Statistics December 2008
The continued growth in KiwiSaver saw membership reach 900,509 members at 31 December 2009 with 51% being females. Nearly half opted in via a provider of their choice with 35% going to one of the default funds due to lack of personal choice.
Of interest, 136,330 members are aged 17 or under and only 166,795 members are ages 55 or over.
Both of these age groups can get considerable value from joining KiwiSaver and membership of these people is expected to be the growth area.
Changes being introduced from 1 April 2009 include the minimum members contribution dropping to 2% but anybody availing of this reduced amount should seek financial advice to ensure they are maximising the benefits.
Employer chosen schemes are also increasing in number as employers and staff see the benefits of membership through this type of facility.
Contact Thorners if you have any questions on how KiwiSaver can work for you or your employees.
Click here to email Thorners or Call Us on (04) 528 8088
Click here to view our disclosure statement.
Click here to view our disclosure statement.
Click here to email Thorners or Call Us on (04) 528 8088
KiwiSaver changes from 1 April 2009 for contributors
The National Government has made a number of changes to KiwiSaver following the confirmation of election policies with some amendments. Most changes will come into effect from 1 April 2009.
The Government’s changes to KiwiSaver legislation will reduce the minimum contribution for employees to 2% of gross salary or wages, matched by a reduced maximum compulsory 2% contribution from employers.
Is 2%+2% enough?
WHAT DOES HISTORY SHOW
The Retirement Commission states that New Zealanders should use 70% of their current income as a guide to the annual income required to keep them comfortable during retirement. With total savings reducing from 8% of an employee’s gross salary or wages to only of 4% (2%+2%) per annum, it is unlikely to deliver this result. Therefore, there is a need for New Zealanders to either voluntarily increase KiwiSaver contributions above the new minimum or look to other investment vehicles to make up the difference.
This table shows the value of KiwiSaver based on an individual with 35 years until retirement wanting 70% of a $60,000 income, which will provide $45,000 per year in retirement. How much should he/she save to reach this target?
What hasn’t changed?
RECEIVING $1,000 FROM THE GOVERNMENT
All KiwiSaver members will still receive $1,000 from the Government into their account when they join, to kick start their savings.
TAX CREDITS TO MATCH YOUR SAVINGS
Members aged over 18 who live in New Zealand will receive “member tax credits” from the Government to match their own contributions. The tax credits match savings up to $20/week ($1,040/year) and continue until you are able to withdraw from KiwiSaver.
HOME OWNERSHIP ASSISTANCE
As well as being able to withdraw their contributions after 3 years, members may be eligible for a home deposit subsidy of up to $5,000.
MORTGAGE DIVERSION LOWERS IMPACT OF SAVING FOR HOMEOWNERS
KiwiSaver members who already have a mortgage can divert half of their contributions to pay off the mortgage, after one year of saving. This lowers the barrier to joining for people in this situation.
What has changed?
FROM 1 APRIL 2009
THE MINIMUM MEMBER CONTRIBUTION RATE
The minimum member contribution rate will be reduced from 4% to 2%. The minimum contribution rate of 2% will become the default contribution rate for new employee members from 1 April 2009.
THE MEMBER FEE SUBSIDY
The member fee subsidy will be discontinued from 1 April 2009.
CAPPED COMPULSORY EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTIONS
Compulsory employer contributions will be capped at 2% and the employer tax credit will be discontinued from 1 April 2009.
THE EMPLOYER SUPERANNUATION CONTRIBUTION TAX EXEMPTION
The employer superannuation contribution tax exemption will be capped at the compulsory employer contribution of 2% from 1 April 2009. (That is equivalent to 2% of the employee’s gross salary or wages.)
WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT
CHANGES TO THE EMPLOYMENT RELATIONS ACT
The KiwiSaver Act will be amended to make it clear that upon joining KiwiSaver, no employee can have their gross pay reduced as a result of employer contributions. This will ensure that when employees join KiwiSaver, the compulsory contributions from their employer are a genuine addition to their existing pay. The changes will also provide employers and employees with the ability to negotiate their own arrangements in good faith. The Employer Relations Act amendment relating to KiwiSaver will then be obsolete, and will be repealed from the date of assent of the Employment Relations Amendment Bill.
Click here to view our disclosure statement
Click here to email Thorners or Call Us on (04) 528 8088
RECEIVING $1,000 FROM THE GOVERNMENT
All KiwiSaver members will still receive $1,000 from the Government into their account when they join, to kick start their savings.
TAX CREDITS TO MATCH YOUR SAVINGS
Members aged over 18 who live in New Zealand will receive “member tax credits” from the Government to match their own contributions. The tax credits match savings up to $20/week ($1,040/year) and continue until you are able to withdraw from KiwiSaver.
HOME OWNERSHIP ASSISTANCE
As well as being able to withdraw their contributions after 3 years, members may be eligible for a home deposit subsidy of up to $5,000.
MORTGAGE DIVERSION LOWERS IMPACT OF SAVING FOR HOMEOWNERS
KiwiSaver members who already have a mortgage can divert half of their contributions to pay off the mortgage, after one year of saving. This lowers the barrier to joining for people in this situation.
What has changed?
FROM 1 APRIL 2009
THE MINIMUM MEMBER CONTRIBUTION RATE
The minimum member contribution rate will be reduced from 4% to 2%. The minimum contribution rate of 2% will become the default contribution rate for new employee members from 1 April 2009.
THE MEMBER FEE SUBSIDY
The member fee subsidy will be discontinued from 1 April 2009.
CAPPED COMPULSORY EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTIONS
Compulsory employer contributions will be capped at 2% and the employer tax credit will be discontinued from 1 April 2009.
THE EMPLOYER SUPERANNUATION CONTRIBUTION TAX EXEMPTION
The employer superannuation contribution tax exemption will be capped at the compulsory employer contribution of 2% from 1 April 2009. (That is equivalent to 2% of the employee’s gross salary or wages.)
WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT
CHANGES TO THE EMPLOYMENT RELATIONS ACT
The KiwiSaver Act will be amended to make it clear that upon joining KiwiSaver, no employee can have their gross pay reduced as a result of employer contributions. This will ensure that when employees join KiwiSaver, the compulsory contributions from their employer are a genuine addition to their existing pay. The changes will also provide employers and employees with the ability to negotiate their own arrangements in good faith. The Employer Relations Act amendment relating to KiwiSaver will then be obsolete, and will be repealed from the date of assent of the Employment Relations Amendment Bill.
Click here to view our disclosure statement
Click here to email Thorners or Call Us on (04) 528 8088
Click here to view our disclosure statement.
Click here to email Thorners or Call Us on (04) 528 8088
KiwiSaver Member Tax Credits – what, why and how to get them
What is the member tax credit?
How the member tax credit works
The member tax credit year is based on 1 July to 30 June. To receive the maximum member tax credit of
$1,042.86 you must have:
· been a member of a KiwiSaver or complying scheme for the entire year, and
· contributed at least $1,042.86.
If you join part-way through a membership year then at the end of the first year (30 June) you’ll receive a member tax credit in proportion to the length of time you’ve been a member. For example, if your start date is 1 January, then by 30 June you’ll be eligible for a maximum member tax credit of $521.43 (half of the annual maximum). How to calculate your membership start date is detailed below.
Important:
Employer contributions or any contributions you may divert to your mortgage aren’t included when calculating how much you’ve contributed in a year for the member tax credit entitlement. If you belong to a KiwiSaver scheme and another superannuation fund which has a complying fund, the tax credit will be paid to the fund that applies first.
Who can get it?
To qualify for the member tax credit:
· you must be 18 or over, and
· your principal place of residence must be in New Zealand, except for:
· a government employee who’s serving outside New Zealand
· a person who’s working overseas as a volunteer, or for token payment for a charitable organisation named in the Student Loan Act regulations and if the work meets one or more of the requirements set out in the Student Loan Schemes Act 1992.
Note:
If you turn 18 during the year and meet the residency requirement, you’ll get member tax credit for the portion of the year that you’re 18.
When do you get it?
Your scheme provider will claim the tax credit on your behalf from 1 July each year – you don’t have to do anything. It will be invested in your account anytime from July onwards, depending on when your scheme provider makes the claim. If you’re an employee and we haven’t received all your contributions from your employer when your scheme provider makes the claim, the balance will be paid once we receive it.
How to calculate your KiwiSaver Membership Start Date
Please note that due to a successful legislative challenge this is different to previously communicated
Active Choice Enrolments
1. If the member joined KiwiSaver between 1 July 2007 to 30 September 2007 and had deductions made from their salary or wages, or made a contribution into their KiwiSaver account prior to 1 November 2007, their eligibility for the member tax credit would commence from the earlier of:
· the first of the month in which their KiwiSaver scheme provider received a valid application for KiwiSaver membership; or
· the first of the month in which their first deduction had been made from salary; or their first contribution was received by their scheme provider or Inland Revenue.
2. If the member joined KiwiSaver between 1 July 2007 to 30 September 2007 but did not have deductions made from their salary or wages, or make a contribution into their KiwiSaver account until on or after 1 November 2007, their eligibility for the member tax credit would commence on the date their KiwiSaver scheme provider received a valid application for KiwiSaver membership.
3. If the member joined KiwiSaver on or after 1 October 2007 their eligibility for the member tax credit would commence from the earlier of:
· the actual date their KiwiSaver scheme provider received a valid application for KiwiSaver membership; or
· the first of the month in which their first deduction had been made from salary or wages or their first contribution was received by their scheme provider or Inland Revenue.
Enrolments through an employer
1. If the member joined KiwiSaver via their Employer their eligibility for the member tax credit would commence from the first of the month in which their first deduction had been made from salary or wages.
How is MTC calculated when membership is less than 1 year?
· The government intends to match member’s contributions up to a maximum of 20 a week, for the weeks they are a member.
· The annual MTC entitlement is $1042.86, which equates to approximately $2.86 a day (1042.86 / 365).
· A member’s MTC is therefore calculated at the lesser of ($1042.86 / 365) or the member’s actual daily contribution rate, for the number of days they are a member during the member credit year.
· The member credit year is 1 July to 30 June so a “part-year” calculation is only required in the first and last years of membership.
Click here to view our disclosure statement
Click here to email Thorners or Call Us on (04) 528 8088
Click here to view our disclosure statement.
Click here to email Thorners or Call Us on (04) 528 8088
