29 July 2024

    KiwiSaver Plus: Exploring Managed Funds

    Hassan Qaiser

    Senior Client Adviser

    Hassan Qaiser

    Senior Client Adviser

    Over 3 million New Zealanders are now saving with KiwiSaver. It’s a smart way to save and makes it easy to grow your money without needing much investment knowledge.

    But what if you’re keen to save more? Should you put extra savings into KiwiSaver? Put your money in term deposits? Or invest directly in the share market?

    These are questions that lots of us ask – and the answer won’t be the same for everyone. But one option that often gets overlooked is Managed Funds.

    What’s a Managed Fund?

    Managed Funds are a simple, flexible investment option that can help your money grow in a way that works best for you. Your savings are pooled with others in a range of different investments and invested for you by a fund manager.

    Like KiwiSaver, on your terms

    In many ways, Managed Funds are a lot like KiwiSaver, but with the flexibility to take money out at any time. And you can get started with Fisher Funds with as little as $2,000, or by saving $100 a month.

    So in some ways, you could think of Managed Funds like KiwiSaver plus – you get the benefits of simple, diversified investment funds, but with the flexibility to access your money when you need it.

    At Fisher Funds, our Managed Funds make investing simple. Simply choose the fund or mix of funds that match your goals and ambitions, and your tolerance for risk, then leave the investing to us. Our Investment Team do the hard work researching and evaluating the best investment opportunities – in New Zealand and overseas.

    Choosing the right investment strategy for you

    Our funds are designed to suit different people with different investment ambitions. From our Conservative Fund with its aim of providing stable returns over the long term, to our Growth Fund that looks for higher returns over time by investing in more growth assets, like shares.

    The best answer for you will depend how you feel about risk – and when you might need to use your money. One way to look at it is how you might plan dinner.

    • Conservative Fund – “Beans on Toast”. Nice and simple. Savings in the Conservative Fund should grow at a steady pace. While you might not get the highest returns, you shouldn’t usually need to worry about big ups and downs in the short term.

    • Balanced Strategy – “Stir Fry”. A mix of the Conservative Fund and the Growth Fund. A little more prep. A lot more interesting. Choosing the Balanced Strategy means investing in both income and growth opportunities. Like combining the spice of Szechuan Chicken with the reliable staple of rice.

    • Growth Fund – “Slow Cooked Casserole”. Set it up, leave for a while and enjoy later on. The Growth Fund may have more ups and downs in the short-term. But if you leave them alone to marinate, they can deliver the highest returns over time.

    Mix and match your own ingredients

    Create your own custom mix of the Conservative Fund and Growth Fund. If you’re looking for even more flexibility or a more focussed investment option, just ask about our Sector Investment Funds. So you can find the mix that works for you.

    Getting started

    Best of all, if you thought Managed Funds are only for people with millions, think again. Our minimum investments* are:

    • An initial lump sum of $2,000, or

    • a minimum regular investment of $100 per month

    So, if you want to get your money working hard for you, Managed Funds can be a great option.

    Need advice? We’re here to help.

    Choosing the best investment for you is a personal decision and will depend on your circumstances. That’s where our team of advisers can help. You can request a call from one of our team to chat through your goals and ambitions and recommend the best solution for you.

    Ready to open a Managed Funds account?

    Learn more about Managed Funds, or if you’re interested in opening a Managed Funds account, applying online is easy, it only takes a few minutes.

    If you have any questions or want to chat further, just call our team on 0508 347 437, send us an email, or chat to us online.

    * Higher minimums apply to Companies and Trusts, contact us for more details.