KiwiSaver questions, answered

It mostly comes down to two things: how long until you'll use the money, and how you'd cope with seeing your balance drop in a downturn. As a rough guide, the longer your timeframe, the more growth assets (shares) you can usually afford to hold for higher long-term returns. We talk this through with you and match you to a fund that fits – rather than leaving it to guesswork.

They sit on a spectrum by how much they hold in 'growth' assets like shares and property versus 'defensive' assets like cash and bonds. Conservative funds are mostly defensive – steadier but slower-growing. Growth and aggressive funds are mostly shares – bumpier year to year, but historically stronger over long periods. Balanced funds sit in the middle.

If you were auto-enrolled through a job and never actively chose a fund, you were likely placed in a balanced default fund. A default fund is a holding pen, not a recommendation tailored to you – it may be far more cautious, or less, than suits your goals. It's well worth checking, and that's something we'll gladly check for you.

Maybe – if you have a long time until you need the money and can stay calm through the ups and downs, a higher-growth fund has historically delivered more over the long run. But it's not right for everyone, especially if you're buying a first home soon or close to drawing on your savings. We help you weigh it up properly rather than chasing last year's returns.

Yes. If you've been a KiwiSaver member for at least three years and meet the criteria, you can withdraw most of your savings (you must leave a small minimum balance) to put towards your first home. It's one of the most popular uses of KiwiSaver, and we'll help you plan the timing so the money's ready when you are.

The First Home Grant is a separate government grant some first-home buyers qualify for, based on criteria like how long you've contributed, your income and the price of the home. It's separate from withdrawing your own KiwiSaver. Eligibility rules can change, so we'll help you check whether you qualify under the current settings.

Often, yes. If you'll need the money within a few years, a high-growth fund can be risky – a downturn just before you buy could shrink your deposit at the worst possible time. Many buyers move to a more conservative fund as the purchase gets closer. We help you get this timing right.

No. Investment People does not charge fees, expenses or any other amount for the financial advice we provide to our clients. Where we are paid, it is by the KiwiSaver provider – see the question below. The full detail is in our public disclosure.

Investment People and your adviser may receive upfront and/or ongoing commission from the relevant KiwiSaver provider. Ongoing commission is generally based on the funds under management linked to your KiwiSaver membership, and is usually calculated as a percentage of your KiwiSaver balance. The applicable rate, or how it is calculated, is disclosed to you before you proceed. We're required to give priority to your interests, and our recommendations are based on what suits you, not on what pays us most. See our public disclosure for how this works.

Switching KiwiSaver funds or providers is usually free, and we handle the paperwork – it's typically about a 10-minute job for you. You don't pay tax to switch, and your money stays invested the whole time. We'll only ever suggest a switch if it genuinely makes sense for your goals.

Yes. Investment People is a trading name of MPIP Investments Limited (FSP1004613), an Authorised Body under the Financial Advice Provider licence held by MPIP Group Limited (FSP726071), issued by the Financial Markets Authority. We follow the Code of Professional Conduct for Financial Advice Services and belong to an independent dispute-resolution scheme. Our full public disclosure sets out our licensing, the scope of our advice, how we're paid and how to complain.

No – we're Auckland-based but we help Kiwis right across New Zealand by phone and video. Wherever you are, a KiwiSaver review is just a call or click away.

Yes – through our sister company, Insurance People. They look after life, health, income and home cover with the same honest, no-nonsense approach we take to KiwiSaver. Both are trading names within the same family, so we can make the introduction seamless – just ask your adviser.