Start your investment journey with MAS

Investing in your 20s and 30s is about building a solid foundation and getting into the habit of setting money aside. KiwiSaver can make this simple. With regular contributions, your savings can grow over time and build momentum in the background. With employer and Government contributions included, KiwiSaver can help your savings go further over time.

At this stage, short-term ups and downs in the market aren’t usually the main concern. What makes the biggest difference is staying invested and continuing to contribute regularly. With more time on your side, higher-growth funds can help your savings grow more over the long term.

Having an emergency fund can give you peace of mind, so unexpected costs do not interrupt your long-term plans. It also gives you more freedom to make changes along the way. As your income grows or your circumstances change, you can adjust your contributions to suit. Small increases over time can help you keep moving forward while still staying flexible.

When you reach your 40s often this can be your highest-earning decade. Applying discipline and structure during this period can have a meaningful and compounding impact on long-term retirement outcomes. If that's the case for you, beginning to clearly define your intended retirement lifestyle; including timing, location, and spending expectations can mean you can tailor your investment approach accordingly.

Reviewing your current set up can go a long way in setting yourself up for the future you want. For example ensuring fund choice, risk profile, and contribution rate remain aligned with your current stage of life and long-term objectives. Using retirement calculators and projection tools to model potential outcomes can help to test whether your current strategy is likely to deliver your desired level of income in retirement.

If your mortgage or other financial pressures begin to ease, you can consider increasing your contribution rate to accelerate retirement savings while your earning capacity is strong. Prioritising reducing or even eliminating high-interest debt, can also materially improve cash flow and strengthen your overall financial position.

As you enter your 50s and beyond, the focus naturally shifts from maximising accumulation to structuring sustainable, reliable income that can support your desired lifestyle throughout retirement. This stage is about assessing whether your current investment mix remains appropriate given your proximity to retirement.

It’s helpful to think about how your retirement plans would hold up in different situations, such as changes in the market or rising living costs. This can give you more confidence that your plans will work over time.

It’s important to understand when and how you can access your retirement savings, so you know what to expect and can plan ahead with confidence. Some products may allow access from around age 55, depending on your situation, so it’s worth getting familiar with your options.

As you enter your 60s, for most of us, this is when accessing retirement savings starts to feel closer. It’s worth understanding that you don’t have to take it all at once. You can leave your savings invested and access them over time, depending on what suits your needs and lifestyle.

There are lots of different ways to use your savings in retirement. This might include setting up a regular income, taking lump sums when you need them, or a combination of both. Taking time to understand your options can help you choose an approach that feels right for you.