By Sarah McMillan/cvnznews.com
A new survey from KiwiSaver provider Generate shows most New Zealanders are keeping a close eye on their retirement savings — but many still feel unsure about how to manage them.
According to the research, 54% of Kiwis check their KiwiSaver balance at least once a month, with 26% looking most weeks and another 30% checking monthly. A further 26% look only a few times a year, while 17% rarely check at all.
Generate investment specialist Greg Smith says the rise of app‑based investing has made people more engaged with their savings, but warns that too much checking can backfire.
“Seeing your balance regularly can help you stay connected to long‑term goals,” he said. “But KiwiSaver is designed for decades, not days. Short‑term market swings are normal, and reacting too quickly can do more harm than good.”
Smith says most people would be better off reviewing their KiwiSaver settings once a year, or when major life changes happen — such as a new job, a pay rise, or shifting financial goals.
Despite high engagement, only 18% of respondents felt fully confident making their own investment decisions. Many said they were comfortable managing small amounts of money but preferred guidance or reassurance when it came to larger sums like their KiwiSaver balance.
The survey also found strong engagement with account reviews: more than 90% had reviewed their KiwiSaver plan within the past two years, and only 9.2% had never reviewed it.
Generate highlighted that its Focused Growth fund has placed in the top three for returns in every quarter since mid‑2023, according to Morningstar’s KiwiSaver 360 report — a rare level of consistency in the sector.