Master Trust Survey

The returns for the year to 30 June continued the decline seen in the previous quarter, reflecting the serious downturn in investment markets caused by the loss of bank liquidity and sharply slowing world economies. Over the 12 months, growth funds returned –10.8% (-6.2%), balanced funds returned –4.8% (-2.7%), while conservative funds returned 1.6% (2.0%) after tax, expenses and fees were deducted (the previous quarter’s rolling twelve months are shown in brackets). With inflation for the year being 4.0% real returns are now negative).

Economic Commentary

A year on from the beginning of the U.S. sub-prime crisis, nervous investors are unsure whether the global credit crunch is a short-term downturn in the global economy or the beginning of a severe economic depression lasting some years. After some initial optimism it looks relatively long-term because of the combination of international factors.

These include the banking and credit crisis, a housing crisis, an upsurge in oil and commodity prices, food shortages, the rise of the emerging nations and falling share markets. We expect the structural changes necessary to correct these to continue for some time, with it being at least 2009 before investment markets start to recover.

KiwiSaver News

The number of KiwiSaver members has topped 750,000! More importantly, we now consider New Zealand to have the second best retirement savings policy after Singapore. The combination of universal New Zealand Superannuation, the Guardians of New Zealand fund underpinning its expected cost increases and KiwiSaver provides a sound platform for the future unless subsequent politicians meddle.
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Employers - It's Time to Wake Up to KiwiSaver

Why Should an Employer Bother with KiwiSaver?

In my view there are at least three good reasons for an employer to take the time to understand KiwiSaver.

First it creates an opportunity to give a tax-efficient pay rise.  In our tight labour market, keeping good staff is difficult but this may help.  By offering to match an employee's contribution $ for $ up to 4%,  you are actually providing a 6% pay rise .....

An edited version of this Eriksens discussion paper first appeared in the business section of the Sunday Star Times on 6 May 2007.)

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Life After KiwiSaver and PIEs : The Regulation of Financial Services

The main themes of the 2007 Eriksens conference were the effects of globalisation and financial regulation on the financial services industry.

A highlight was the address by Dr Alan Bollard who discussed recent international events and their effect on New Zealand, together with an overview of the Reserve Bank's possible regulatory role with respect to the financial service industry.

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Eriksens is an international actuarial and strategic investment consultancy based in Australasia.  From offices in Sydney Australia and Auckland and Wellington, NZ we service clients in Australasia, North America and Europe. 

Our consultants make regular trips to Europe and North America. It is through this regular travel that Eriksens maintains its global focus.

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