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Planning for the financial side of illness

When people think about recovering from a serious illness, they often focus on the medical side.Treatment, appointments, medication, and rest are all important. But recovery can also affect many other parts of life, including work, income, family routines, and everyday household responsibilities.That is why the financial side of recovery is worth thinking about.Time away from workA serious illness can sometimes mean time away from work.For some people, this may be a short period. For others, rec...

Medical recovery and financial recovery are not always the same

When people think about recovering from a serious illness or injury, the focus is usually on medical treatment and getting back to normal health.While that is naturally the priority, financial recovery can sometimes take much longer than the medical side of the situation.Understanding this difference can help people think more broadly about how unexpected health events may affect their household finances.Recovery can take longer than expectedMedical treatment often happens in stages. There may b...

KiwiSaver and life stages: Why one setting rarely suits forever

KiwiSaver is primarily designed to help New Zealanders build long-term savings for retirement. For many people, once they’ve chosen a fund or contribution rate, it can be easy to assume that setting will continue to work indefinitely.In reality, KiwiSaver is a long-term arrangement that often spans multiple decades, and life rarely stays the same for that long. As circumstances change, the way KiwiSaver fits into someone’s overall financial picture can change too.Understanding how different ...

Enduring powers of attorney: an important part of your financial plan

By Stephanie Aquilina-Little, Senior Associate at Jackson RussellA good financial plan helps you prepare for the future: building savings, managing investments, planning for retirement and making sure your family is looked after. However, even the best financial plan can become difficult to put into action if you lose the ability to manage your own affairs and no one has legal authority to act for you.That is where enduring powers of attorney, or EPOAs, become important.An EPOA is a legal docume...

Small ways to ease pressure when everyday costs rise

Many households have noticed the impact of rising everyday costs in recent months.Fuel, groceries, utilities, and other regular expenses can fluctuate over time, and even small increases across multiple areas can add up. While these changes are often outside individual control, there are practical ways people may look to manage the impact.Small changes can add upWhen costs rise gradually, it can be easy to underestimate their overall effect.Rather than making large adjustments, many people find ...

What the latest KiwiSaver data tells us about long-term saving

Recent KiwiSaver data provides an interesting snapshot of how New Zealanders are saving for the future.Despite ongoing pressure from higher living costs, KiwiSaver balances and contributions have continued to grow, highlighting the important role the scheme plays in helping many New Zealanders build long-term financial security.At the same time, the data also shows that contribution patterns can have a significant impact on long-term outcomes.Contributions remain strong...

Why income protection works differently from other insurance

When people think about insurance, they often picture a lump-sum payment that would be made if something serious happens.Policies such as life or trauma insurance are designed to provide a one-off payment when specific events occur. Income protection insurance works differently.Instead of paying a single lump sum, income protection is designed to provide regular payments if illness or injury prevents someone from working for a period of time.Understanding how this type of cover works can help ex...

Cancelling insurance is easy, getting it back later may not be

There are many reasons someone might consider cancelling their insurance cover. Monthly budgets can change, priorities shift, or a policy put in place years ago may feel less relevant today.In many cases, cancelling a policy is relatively straightforward. However, what may be less widely understood is that reinstating cover later may not always be as simple.Understanding how insurance works over time can help people make more informed decisions about their protection.Cancelling a policy is usual...

Money confidence vs money perfection

When it comes to finances, many people quietly hold themselves to a standard of perfection.The “perfect” savings rate.The “perfect” investment mix.The “perfect” time to refix, review, or adjust.But financial wellbeing is rarely about perfection. More often, it’s about confidence.The pressure to get it exactly rightModern financial life involves constant decisions. Interest rates move. Investment markets fluctuate. Insurance premiums adjust. KiwiSaver contribution rates can change.W...

KiwiSaver contribution changes spark mixed reactions ahead of April increase

With the first step of KiwiSaver contribution increases taking effect on 1 April 2026, new survey results suggest many members are open to contributing more, even as questions remain about the impact on wages and business costs.From April, the default KiwiSaver contribution rate will increase from 3% to 3.5% for both employees and employers. A further increase to 4% is scheduled for April 2028.Many members intend to stay or increase contributionsA recent survey commissioned by ANZ Investments fo...

Health insurance costs under pressure in 2026

New Zealand’s private health insurance market is facing continued cost pressure, with medical inflation forecast to remain well above global averages.According to Aon’s 2026 Global Medical Trend Rates Report, medical plan costs in New Zealand are projected to increase by 18% in 2026, up from an estimated 17% in 2025.By comparison, the global average medical trend is forecast at 9.8%, with Asia-Pacific at 11.3%.What is driving the increase?Medical trend refers to the annual percentage increas...

The difference between being insured and being appropriately insured

For many people, having insurance creates a sense of reassurance. There’s comfort in knowing something is in place if life doesn’t go to plan.However, there is an important distinction between simply having insurance and having cover that’s suitable for your current circumstances.Having a policy in place does not automatically mean it still aligns with your financial responsibilities or long-term goals.When “some cover” feels sufficientIt’s common for people to have some level of pro...

Low-cost holiday ideas to make the most of summer

Summer holidays don’t have to come with a big price tag. With a bit of creativity and planning, it’s possible to unwind, make memories, and enjoy the best of the season without overspending. Here are some ideas to help stretch your holiday budget a little further this year.Explore closer to homeYou don’t have to travel far to feel like you’re on holiday. Many Kiwis overlook the simple joys of exploring their own backyard, whether it’s a day trip to a nearby beach, a local bushwalk, or ...

Understanding what’s behind rising health insurance costs

Health insurance premiums have been increasing this year, a trend that’s made headlines and prompted questions from policyholders. While the numbers can sound confronting, the underlying reasons tell a more balanced story. Higher costs don’t just reflect inflation; they also show more people using their cover, accessing treatment sooner, and relying on private healthcare to take pressure off the public system.According to RNZ, some customers have seen premium rises of around 25 percent. Insu...

Cancer cover: What to know and why it matters

Cancer is something no one likes to think about but it’s a reality that touches many New Zealanders, whether personally or through family and friends. Each year, around 25,000 people in Aotearoa are diagnosed with cancer.While survival rates are improving through continuous medical advancements, treatment can be a long and stressful journey both emotionally and financially. Having the right insurance in place can help relieve some of that pressure and give you access to timely care when it mat...

Why knowing your health insurance limits matters

Having health insurance can give you confidence that, if something goes wrong, you’ll be able to get treatment when you need it. It’s one of the reasons many New Zealanders choose to put cover in place, to avoid long waits, ease the financial pressure, and know their family will be looked after.What’s easy to forget, though, is that every policy has limits and exclusions. Knowing these upfront doesn’t take away from the value of your cover, it helps you get the most out of it and avoid a...

Why every business needs a plan for the unexpected

Running a business often means wearing many hats: from managing staff and clients, to handling finances and planning for growth. With so much on the go, it can sometimes be easy to overlook risks that could potentially disrupt everything you’ve worked hard to build. That’s where business insurance can come in.Business insurance isn’t just one type of cover. It’s a set of solutions that can be tailored to the type of business you run, and the risks you face. Having the right financial pro...

The value of keeping your cover through life’s changes

It’s usual to review your insurance from time to time. And certain life stages such as paying off the mortgage, children leaving home, approaching retirement, often prompt people to consider whether they still need the same level of cover.But before you reduce or cancel insurance, it’s worth taking a closer look at how your needs, risks, and goals are evolving.What risks are you still protecting against?Insurance isn’t just about income protection during working years. Even if your income ...

Simple habits linked to better daily wellbeing

A new international study has highlighted how everyday lifestyle choices can make a noticeable difference to young people’s wellbeing. The research, published in PLOS One in August 2025, found that even small improvements in sleep, diet, and exercise were linked to feeling better on the same day.The research combined three studies of young adults aged 17–25, with more than 1,500 participants across New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States. For two weeks, participants kept daily...

Health insurance for kids: what to consider

In New Zealand, we’re fortunate to have a generally strong public health system. Emergency care is free and of a high standard. If your child needs urgent treatment, they’ll be looked after. Children under 14 are also entitled to free GP visits, free prescriptions, and funded routine vaccinations.But when it comes to non-urgent care like specialist appointments or procedures that affect day-to-day life but aren’t classed as emergencies, waiting lists can be long. For some families, this ra...

Bridging the gap: Financial goals and real-life actions

Many New Zealanders are working hard to build better financial futures — setting goals, saving, and paying down debt. But according to new research released by the Financial Markets Authority (FMA), there’s often a disconnect between our financial intentions and our everyday decisions.The FMA’s May 2025 report, Good Cents: Kiwis on Savings and Debt, reveals that while a growing number of people are taking steps to improve their financial wellbeing, “stated financial goals don't always ma...

Understanding policy exclusions and why they matter

Insurance is designed to provide financial protection when life takes an unexpected turn.But to make the most of your cover, it’s essential to understand not only what conditions your policy includes, but also what it excludes. These exclusions can be easily overlooked, until a claim is made and something isn’t covered.What are policy exclusions?Exclusions are specific conditions, activities, or circumstances that are not covered by your insurance policy. These can include:Standard exclusion...

Hobbies that are good for your wallet (and your wellbeing)

Life can get busy — and between work, family, and financial commitments, it’s easy to forget how important it is to have something you enjoy just for yourself. Hobbies give us a chance to recharge, try something new, and even connect with others. And the good news? They don’t have to be expensive.In fact, some hobbies can actually support your financial wellbeing — either by saving money, reducing stress-related spending, or even building handy skills for the future.Here are a few wallet...

How inflation affects your insurance and why it matters over time

When we think about inflation, we usually picture rising grocery bills, fuel prices, or interest rates. But there’s another area where inflation can quietly make a difference – your personal insurance.If you took out cover a few years ago, the amount you insured yourself for may not go as far today as it did back then. And that’s something worth being aware of, especially when your policy is designed to protect your income, repay a mortgage, or support your family’s future.Why does infla...

What happens to your insurance after a health scare?

Thanks to modern medicine, unexpected health events—like injuries or serious diagnoses—aren’t always as life-altering as they once were. But they can still be confronting, and often lead people to reassess their priorities.One of those priorities might be your insurance.Whether you’ve recently experienced a health scare or just want to be prepared, here are a few key things to consider.If you already had insurance in placeIf you had cover at the time of your health event, you may have be...