For many of us, lockdown gave us a chance to pause and reassess what’s important and what we value in our lives – such as family time or financial security.
You often will hear financial experts recommending putting away enough money to cover at least three months’ worth of expenses for a ‘rainy day’. This can be a big ask for many of us, but the pandemic has shown to us how important it is to have a buffer set aside if we do encounter tough times.
We often say, it’s never too late to start saving – not just for ourselves, but for our children and grandchildren too.
Day-to-day, we often find ourselves running around chasing a busy schedule under the pressures of everyday life. Before you know it, your children will be almost grown-up. As adults, we know that this brings with it more responsibility, including more significant expenses.
You might find yourself wanting to help them out as they navigate the challenges of adulthood such as buying a car, becoming a parent, getting an education or getting into their first home. The recent financial shock to the economy may have caused you to think about how you can help set up good saving habits for your children.
Suppose you have found yourself with some additional savings after spending less than usual during lockdown. Now might be the time to start thinking about how you can give your children’s savings a kick start. One of the options could be a KiwiSaver account.
How may KiwiSaver be able to help children?
A first step in setting good long term saving habits is to set your children up with a KiwiSaver account. This may be one part of the plan as you look to set your child up for the road ahead. They may not see the value of it now but, however in the future, it will likely benefit them. At Christian KiwiSaver Scheme we don’t charge any fees for under 18s.
According to IRD, as of June 2019, around 300,000 children under 18 were enrolled in KiwiSaver.
KiwiSaver can be a great start for children when they look at buying a first home. They can use some of their KiwiSaver balance towards a deposit. We have seen in the media over recent years how some First Home Buyers have found it difficult to get on the property ladder. Starting to save early could help alleviate some of the pressure down the track.
Opening a KiwiSaver account in most cases is more accessible to parents than looking at other types of managed funds. With no fees for under 18s at Christian KiwiSaver Scheme and no minimum regular contributions needed for your children’s accounts (unless the child has chosen to contribute if they are employed), you or your child can contribute as much or as little to the account as you want – it’s on your terms.
Joining KiwiSaver young ensures your child will have a head start in saving for their long term future.
If you want to enrol a child with Christian KiwiSaver Scheme, you can do this by filling out an application form at the back of our Product Disclosure Statement and sending it to PO Box 12-287, Thorndon, Wellington 6144.
Not already a member of Christian KiwiSaver Scheme? Join other like-minded Kiwi Christians growing their savings ethically today!
Membership of the Christian KiwiSaver Scheme is offered only to:
- employees of organisations whose primary activities are in our opinion Christian mission or ministry. This includes employees of charitable entities associated with or operating in the Christian Church, or employees of entities which we approve as having a Christian special character; and
- persons who express a Christian faith and have a commitment to Christian community involvement when applying (and their immediate family members and dependants).
Christian KiwiSaver Scheme is managed and issued by The New Zealand Anglican Church Pension Board (trading as Anglican Financial Care). The Product Disclosure Statement and Fund Updates are available under Documents.
