Most KiwiSaver calculators ask you a few questions and hand you a single number. Enter your age, your income, pick a fund type, and out comes a balance at age 65. Neat. Simple. And for most people, not particularly useful. Because life isn't a straight line. Your income changes. Your priorities shift. A calculator that ignores all of that isn't really showing you your retirement. It's showing you someone else's. So I built something different. Introducing the Solid Steele

Why Every Kiwi Should Be Making Contributions to Their KiwiSaver account. If you’re like many Kiwis, you might have opened a KiwiSaver account years ago, and promptly forgotten about it. Here’s some good news… since 1 April 2026 your employer’s contribution just went UP. Contributing to your KiwiSaver account regularly is one of the smartest financial decisions you can make for your future, and here’s why.

Choosing the right KiwiSaver fund is one of the most important financial decisions you’ll make... but it’s also one of the most overlooked. Many New Zealanders set their fund once and never revisit it. Others were defaulted into a fund years ago and simply stayed there. The problem? Being in the wrong KiwiSaver fund can quietly cost you tens... even hundreds of thousands of dollars over time. So how do you know if you’re in the wrong one? Here are 5 clear signs to check.

I usually keep these blogs simple & avoid finance jargon, but with everything happening globally at the moment - including the Iran war and rising energy prices - it’s worth looking a bit deeper at how events like this can affect KiwiSaver. In short, active managers, who look for opportunities at all times and can often do very well in geopolitical shocks. Passive managers that track the market closely will usually move in step with the market during shocks.

Most Kiwis think KiwiSaver is something you use before retirement. But the reality is very different. 👉 KiwiSaver after 65 in NZ can be one of the best tools you have for generating retirement income. And with people living longer than ever in New Zealand, how you use your KiwiSaver account in retirement matters just as much as how you built it. If used properly, it gives you flexibility, tax efficiency, and ongoing growth - all in one place.

You might have noticed more comments in the news recently - KiwiSaver is going through a few changes on 1 April 2026. Let me summarize them for you

At its core, financial advice is simply about creating a roadmap for your money. It’s a plan designed to get you from where you are now to where you want to be, whether that’s buying a house, travelling the world, or just enjoying a stress-free retirement. It's not just for the wealthy; it's for anyone who wants to make their money work harder for them. Getting professional financial advice is particularly valuable during key life stages

Feeling a bit lost trying to figure out if you can use your KiwiSaver money for a house deposit or an emergency? You’re not alone. The official kiwiSaver withdrawal rules can sound like a bit of a headache. That’s why I’ve created this plain-English guide to give you the solid answers you need, right here in one place. Whether you’re dreaming of buying your first home, planning for retirement, moving overseas permanently, or facing significant financial hardship, this articl

If you’re self-employed, you may not have an employer automatically contributing to your KiwiSaver account. But that doesn’t mean you have to miss out! Paying into your KiwiSaver fund is still crucial for your long-term financial security, and there’s a straightforward process for doing it.

This simple, plain-English guide is here to give you the solid answers you need. I'm breaking down exactly what KiwiSaver is, how it works, and why it's one of the most powerful tools for buying your first home or retiring more comfortably

This is one of the most common - and most quietly stressful - questions I hear: “Am I actually going to be okay?” People often want a number. A balance to compare against. A finish line. But the truth is, there is no single ‘enough’ number that works for everyone. When people ask how much KiwiSaver is enough, what they’re really asking is whether their current path is likely to support the life they want. What does help is understanding how KiwiSaver savings are likely t

When it comes to planning your financial future, KiwiSaver is one of the smartest tools you can use. But are you really making the most of it? Many people sign up and then forget about it, missing out on opportunities to boost their savings or even buy their first home. What if you could unlock the full potential of your KiwiSaver account with expert guidance tailored just for you? Let’s dive into how you can maximize your savings with KiwiSaver expert advice and make your mo

Risk is a word that can make anyone nervous, but it’s a natural part of investing. The key is to understand how much risk you’re comfortable with and how it aligns with your goals. Personally, I prefer the word volatility instead of risk. Some investments will go up and down more than others, but history shows us that by spreading your volatile assets widely you decrease the risk considerably. All KiwiSaver funds are highly diversified; your eggs aren't all in one basket.

should I care about KiwiSaver retirement strategies now?" The answer is simple: the earlier you start, the better your chances of enjoying a stress-free retirement. You might have heard about the "4% rule" when planning retirement income. But what does it mean for your KiwiSaver savings?

Crypto gets talked about a lot in New Zealand. One minute it’s the future of money, the next minute it’s crashing again. I regularly hear people say things like, “I’ve been thinking about getting into crypto because KiwiSaver feels slow,” or “I missed the boat, but maybe I should put a bit in just in case.” But crypto and KiwiSaver are very different tools, designed for very different purposes.

If you’ve spent time working in Australia - or you’re thinking about moving back and forth - chances are you’ve heard people talk about “super” or “The Pension” and assume it’s basically the same thing as in NZ. On the surface, they do look similar. But the same words mean different things between each country. I see this confusion all the time - especially with people moving from Australia to New Zealand, or Kiwis returning home after years overseas. So let’s break it down

So, you’ve just bought your first house and used all of your KiwiSaver for the deposit. Should you keep contributing to KiwiSaver? This is a question I get asked all the time, and the short answer is YES, you absolutely should. Let me walk you through some numbers

KiwiSaver is one of the most powerful long-term investments available in New Zealand - yet I see the same mistakes cropping up again and again. Not because people don’t care, but because KiwiSaver can feel confusing, distant, or easy to ignore. Most of these mistakes aren’t dramatic. They’re quiet. And because they compound over time, they can end up costing tens (or even hundreds) of thousands of dollars without anyone noticing until much later… when it’s too late. Here are