a new prime minister in australia

a new prime minister in australia

There is a new Prime Minister in Australia, with Scott Morrison defeating Peter Dutton who had brought on a challenge to replace Malcolm Turnbull.

generation KiwiSaver

generation KiwiSaver

A recent report, commissioned by the Financial Services Council, to discover what retirement means to – and will look like – for New Zealanders made some interesting findings.

proposed changes to KiwiSaver

proposed changes to KiwiSaver

Proposed changes to KiwiSaver in a Bill currently before Parliament would allow people over 65 to join the scheme to give them access to a provider of low-cost managed funds in retirement. The 5-year minimum lock-in requirement would also be removed for these members.

grab your dream today!

grab your dream today!

This year marks 20 years of AMP Scholarships. Since 1998, AMP has dedicated more than $2.4 million towards helping over 300 everyday Kiwis realise their dreams. As a valued client, we wanted to let you know that applications for this year’s Scholarships are now open.

short term security or long term protection?

short term security or long term protection?

Life insurance cover provides two main premium options – ‘stepped or ‘level’.

‘Stepped’ premiums increase yearly with age, any inflation adjustments and general changes in premium rates. Premiums are very affordable in the short term, becoming increasingly expensive in later years.

cocksy's story

cocksy's story

Cocksy is a New Zealand celebrity builder. But a diagnosis of terminal cancer meant he couldn’t work, and got him thinking about what he wanted to do with the life he had.

His Asteron Life insurance is helping him live his life the way he wants to, and plan for what he wants to leave behind.

basic diy skills will save you money in retirement

basic diy skills will save you money in retirement

AMP managing director Blair Vernon believes as the cost of labour increased DIY skills will become increasingly valuable in retirement. Those who did not have the skills to do things themselves and needed to pay for services would fare worst in retirement, he said.

apps to make your life easier

apps to make your life easier

Smartphones are becoming a way of life for most New Zealanders and there’s no end to the steady stream of apps that are appearing to help us manage our lives better, from health and fitness to productivity and in particular, saving some time when it comes to money management.

budget 2018 - credibility gained

budget 2018 - credibility gained

The Labour-led Government’s first Budget had to pass three tests. First, it had to build on its 100-day iniatiatives and meet its commitment to the electorate of greater investment in the core social areas of health, housing and education.

we're getting behind the I AM HOPE tour

we're getting behind the I AM HOPE tour

Together with AMP, we’re getting behind the I AM HOPE tour. AMP is proud to be partnering with the Key to Life Trust and to be getting behind the I AM HOPE TOUR, a wonderful initiative being led by Mike King to help combat the very high rates of suicide in our country. 

insurers paid out a record $2.55 billion in claims in 2017

insurers paid out a record $2.55 billion in claims in 2017

In 2017 the number of insurance claims from "extreme events" broke records last year, testing the sector's ability to keep up with nature.

The Insurance Council of New Zealand says total settlement cost of events in 2017 reached $2.55 billion.

nearly 60% of kiwi women earn less than their partners

nearly 60% of kiwi women earn less than their partners

Kiwi women are lagging behind their American counterparts when it comes to earning more than their partners.

Research by Boston Consulting Group found one third of married women in the United States earned more than their husbands.

call to lower KiwiSaver contribution rate to 1%

call to lower KiwiSaver contribution rate to 1%

Many of the people who do not contribute to KiwiSaver on a regular basis are on a low income or are not in paid employment, research suggests.

More than 2.7 million Kiwis are signed up to the retirement scheme but 1.1 million were considered to be non-contributors in the year to March 31, 2017.

look both ways before jumping on the bitcoin wagon

look both ways before jumping on the bitcoin wagon

The news is currently full of stories about Bitcoin – selling a story about how to become a millionaire overnight. But the Financial Markets Authority are receiving an increasing number of complaints from investors who’ve lost money using cryptocurrency exchanges.

our top five financial podcasts

our top five financial podcasts

Finance-focused podcasts are a total game changer. Not only do they make a long commute feel like less of a drag, but they can also help you become financially savvy with practical advice and inspiration. Here are five entertaining yet educational recommendations:

how to avoid investment scams

how to avoid investment scams

Investment scams can happen to anyone. They’re often very sophisticated. The people involved sound credible and the websites look very professional, usually including testimonials from other investors. It can be hard to tell a scam apart from a genuine investment opportunity.

why bananas are banned from fishing boats

why bananas are banned from fishing boats

If you’re not familiar with the life of a mariner, then it might sound a little strange why they don’t allow bananas on the boat.

The reason is quite simple: bananas are bad luck.