KiwiSaver changes from December 1

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Changes for default KiwiSaver funds coming into force on December 1 include a trimmed list of providers and default funds changing from conservative to balanced.

A default member is someone who has signed up to KiwiSaver but not made an active choice about where to invest and has been allocated a default provider by Inland Revenue.

Among the changes, default fund members will have their savings moved into a balanced fund from the existing, more defensive, conservative fund.

The list of providers will drop from nine to six, they will charge lower fees and will not invest in fossil fuel production or illegal weapons.

Financial Services Council chief executive Richard Klipin says the balanced fund is more aggressive and takes advantage of the ups and downs of the share market.

He says people on default funds shouldn't worry but encourages everyone to make sure the changes are right for them.

"December 1 marks a really important change for KiwiSaver.

"If you're a default member, then it's possible your provider has changed and that's all being taken care of for you."

Klipin says KiwiSaver members who are happy about their investment decisions, don't need to do anything either.

"If you are one of the impacted KiwiSaver members, the IRD will have made contact with you," he says.

KiwiSaver remained an important part of how New Zealanders thought about wealth, saving for wealth and preparing for retirement, Klipin says.

The average KiwiSaver balance was $28,000.

"The earlier you take a really strong interest in your KiwiSaver the better."

-RNZ.

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