Is Your Life Reflecting What Truly Matters?

Is Your Life Reflecting What Truly Matters?

by | 11 Aug, 2025 | Financial Planning, General, Life after 65

At any point in life, it’s natural to pause and question the rhythm of your days—how you spend your time, where your money goes, and whether those choices reflect your values. It’s easy to slip into autopilot, checking off tasks and chasing goals without asking: Is this the life I want to be building?

When you slow down long enough to ask that question, money inevitably enters the conversation. How you earn, spend, save, or give often mirrors deeper values and unconscious patterns. Understanding where your beliefs about money come from can be surprisingly empowering.

Money behaviours don’t emerge in a vacuum. They’re shaped by early experiences. Perhaps you witnessed financial hardship and vowed never to feel that stress again. Or maybe money was always available, and you came to see it as something that would never run out. These imprints influence how you make decisions today.

Exploring your money mindset isn’t about judgement, it’s about clarity. By uncovering the roots of your financial beliefs, you can reshape your relationship with money to better serve your life’s purpose.

A powerful read on this topic is The Soul of Money by Lynne Twist. She challenges the idea that fulfilment comes from endless abundance and introduces the concept of sufficiency, the quiet confidence that what you have is enough. That shift in mindset moves you from scarcity to purpose, making your spending a reflection of your values.

Ask yourself: If you won the lottery tomorrow, how would your life change? Would you need millions to be happy, or would a simpler sum bring the same joy and peace? If your answer leans toward “life would mostly stay the same, just with more choices,” you’re already aligning your values with your financial reality.

This perspective is valuable at any age, from young adults forging their path to retirees downsizing with intention. When you shift focus from chasing more to choosing what matters, life begins to feel lighter. You stop reacting and start creating.

This isn’t just financial advice, it’s life advice. Because meaning isn’t found in income brackets. It’s found in the quiet assurance that your choices, both with time and money, reflect what you truly care about.

The article above is for educational purposes only and is not financial advice. Please seek advice from a qualified financial adviser when making decisions about your financial situation.

The New Zealand Anglican Church Pension Board trading as Anglican Financial Care is the manager and issuer of Christian KiwiSaver Scheme, The Retire Fund, and the New Zealand Anglican Church Pension Fund. Product Disclosure Statements and Fund Updates are available on the Documents page of the AFC website (Pension Fund and The Retire Fund) and  https://www.christiankiwisaver.nz/documents/ (Christian KiwiSaver Scheme).

Walking alongside you through serious illness

Walking alongside you through serious illness

by | 11 Aug, 2025 | Financial Planning, General, Investment, KiwiSaver

At Anglican Financial Care, our commitment to our members goes beyond helping them save for retirement. When life takes an unexpected turn, we aim to provide support as a way of walking alongside our members during times of illness, uncertainty, and change.

Every year in New Zealand, thousands of people are told: “You have cancer.” These words can turn life upside down. For those individuals and their whānau, the journey ahead can be challenging not only; medically and emotionally, but financially as well.

A serious illness can affect more than just your health. It can limit your ability to work, disrupt your daily routines, and create financial stress. In these moments, having options and knowing support is available can offer real peace of mind. How Anglican Financial Care supports members facing serious illness

For members of Christian KiwiSaver Scheme and of other schemes through Anglican Financial Care, we offer several ways to help ease financial stress during a health crisis:

No matter which of our schemes you belong to, Anglican Financial Care is here to support you. We offer a range of options that may help ease financial pressure during a serious illness, because when life gets difficult, we believe no one should face it alone.

1. Accessing savings through ‘Serious Illness Withdrawal’

If you are facing a serious illness such as cancer or another condition, you may be eligible to apply for a Serious Illness Withdrawal from your account. This option is available to members of Christian KiwiSaver Scheme and some members of the Pension Fund.

To be eligible, the condition or illness must either permanently affect your ability to work or pose a serious and imminent risk to your life.

If you qualify, this type of withdrawal may allow you to access some or all of your retirement savings early. These funds can provide vital breathing space when you’re unable to work or facing unexpected medical bills.

It’s important to know that this option is available only for those who meet strict criteria, as confirmed by a medical professional. If you’re unsure whether you qualify, we encourage you to contact our team – we’re here to guide you through the process.

2. Financial hardship withdrawal options

If your illness causes significant financial pressure, but you don’t meet the threshold for a Serious Illness Withdrawal, you may be able to apply for a Significant Financial Hardship Withdrawal. This can provide early access to your savings to help cover essential living costs or medical expenses.

3. Mortgage support

If you hold a mortgage through Anglican Financial Care, we can work with you to ease your financial commitments. Adjusting your repayment terms or exploring other options can provide much-needed relief when your focus needs to be on your health.

4. Financial assistance grants and loans

Financial assistance is available to eligible Anglican clergy, their widows, widowers, and dependents to help cover costs such as medical treatment, travel for healthcare, or essential living expenses during times of hardship.

Every request is handled individually, with compassion and confidentiality.

5. Guidance and support

While we cannot provide you with financial advice around your insurance needs, we can listen, understand, and help you navigate your options, within your personal AFC product.

At AFC, you’re never just a number. Our team is here to walk alongside you, providing care and someone to speak to, when you need it most.

Reflecting on community and care

Days like Daffodil Day, held annually in August by the Cancer Society of New Zealand, remind us of the importance of standing together. Daffodil Day makes us think how we can each show up for people facing serious illness, whether through donations, encouragement, or practical support.

At Anglican Financial Care, this belief in walking alongside others is woven into everything we do. Serious illness can feel isolating, but with the right support, no one has to face it alone.

Christian KiwiSaver Scheme, The Retire Fund, and the New Zealand Anglican Church Pension Fund is managed and issued by The New Zealand Anglican Church Pension Board (trading as Anglican Financial Care). The Product Disclosure Statement can be found here Documents | Christian KiwiSaver Scheme.

Anglican Church Backs Christian KiwiSaver Scheme

Anglican Church Backs Christian KiwiSaver Scheme

by | 17 Jun, 2024 | General, KiwiSaver

At the Anglican Church’s General Synod/te Hīnota Whānui in May 2024, the Christian KiwiSaver Scheme received strong backing from the Church with a resolution that encourages all Anglican institutions to select the Scheme as their employer chosen KiwiSaver scheme.

The details of the KiwiSaver scheme founded on Christian values and Christian ethical frameworks was explained to the Synod and subsequently reported on the Anglican Taonga website.

The full article is here

Your KiwiSaver Check Up

Your KiwiSaver Check Up

by | 17 Jun, 2024 | General, KiwiSaver

Just like you get a Warrant of Fitness for your car, it’s important to regularly check your KiwiSaver Scheme to make sure it’s still set up the way you want. Here are some easy tips to make sure your KiwiSaver is in top shape. We recommend doing this once a year, either at the start of the year or when you get your annual member statement.

1.   Check if Your Investment Profile is Right for You.

This is about where your money is invested. Does your choice of investment fund, match the level of risk you are comfortable taking?
The Sorted website has a handy tool called Investor Profiler. You answer a few questions, and it helps you find out what type of investor you are and what kind of investment mix is best for you.

2.   Are You Contributing Enough?

Think about whether you can afford to put in more money or make extra contributions. If you stopped making contributions, is it time to start again?

The Sorted website also has a KiwiSaver Calculator. Answer a few questions to see how big your balance could be at age 65 and how much you could get each week in retirement. Try different contribution rates to see how they affect your savings.

3.   Is your Personal Investor Rate (PIR) correct?

Your PIR is the tax rate we use to calculate the tax on your investment earnings. Make sure you’re using the right PIR. You don’t want too much tax taken from your earnings, or too little and end up with a tax bill. Your PIR for the current tax year is based on your total taxable income in either of the last 2 tax years. If that changes, your PIR might change too. Inland Revenue can also tell us to change your PIR if they think it’s wrong. Our website has a guide to help you calculate your PIR

That’s it! Checking these three things every so often will help make sure your KiwiSaver account is working for you. Our team is happy to help with any questions you have.

Partnering with AMLHUB

Partnering with AMLHUB

by | 17 Jun, 2024 | General, KiwiSaver

Complying with Anti-Money Laundering (AML) rules is essential for many businesses, including banks, law firms, real estate agents, and KiwiSaver providers. Besides verifying a new client’s identity and address, ongoing checks are required for existing clients too.

To help us meet our AML obligations, we’ve partnered with AMLHUB Services Ltd. They provide us with software and outsourcing services, giving both the Scheme and its members an efficient and affordable AML compliance tool.

When we need information for AML purposes, you will receive an email from us. It will show you exactly what you will get from AMLHUB so you can be sure the email and text you will receive are legitimate and not a scam.

By working with AMLHUB, we ensure that we stay compliant and protect our investments against money laundering and terriorism financing. If you have any questions, our team is here to help.

A Transparent Approach by Christian KiwiSaver Scheme

A Transparent Approach by Christian KiwiSaver Scheme

by | 21 Feb, 2024 | General

In today’s world, ethical considerations have become increasingly important for investors, and Christian KiwiSaver Scheme stands out as a beacon of transparency and integrity. Our organisation prioritises ethical investment practices and is committed to aligning its investments with its principles. Recently, Mindful Money identified Christian KiwiSaver Scheme‘s portfolio, as having concerns regarding investments in fossil fuels, weapons, and human rights violations. Christian KiwiSaver Scheme does not shy away from the discussion but instead seizes the opportunity to reaffirm its commitment to ethical investment and transparency. 

We appreciate the Mindful Money website as a resourceful platform. However, our investment choices are not solely based on their standard for ethical investment. We rely on our in-house expertise and advice from an international corporate governance specialist to make well-informed decisions. As a Christian organization, we prioritise investing in companies that are committed to transitioning to better practices. We firmly believe in a long-term, sustainable approach to transitioning to more ethical and sustainable future.

Christian KiwiSaver Scheme‘s approach is based on dedication to ethical principles. Our organisation regularly monitors its holdings and welcomes feedback from third-party organizations such as Mindful Money to ensure that its investments reflect its values. When ethical concerns are raised, each flagged company is subject to a thorough review, taking into account factors such as environmental impact, social responsibility, and corporate governance. 

Transparency is paramount for Christian KiwiSaver Scheme, and it openly discusses and justifies its investment choices. Whether it decides to divest from problematic stocks or retains them with a plan for improvement, we ensure that our members are fully informed. You can read our full list of investment holdings here, and our Ethical Investment Policy here. By providing clarity on the rationale behind investment decisions, Christian KiwiSaver Scheme empowers members to make ethical choices that align with their values. 

While ethical investment can be complicated, Christian KiwiSaver Scheme serves as a reliable guide and partner for its members. We navigate the complexities of the investment landscape with integrity and transparency, communicating openly, conducting thorough research, and remaining steadfast in its dedication to ethical principles. As a result, Christian KiwiSaver Scheme fosters trust and confidence among its members and contributes to a more ethical and sustainable future.