Smart steps to success

Welcome to Mercer; we’re excited to have you onboard. To get you started we’ll guide you through a few simple ways you can make the most of your investment.

1. Manage

Access your account online, anytime.

Getting familiar with your online account doesn’t take long. Once you log in you can see your current balance, manage your investment options and check your personal details are correct.

To log in, use the account details and PIN that were sent to you.

If you haven't received them, need help logging in, or need to reset your PIN, give us a call on 0508 637 237 us and we’ll sort it out for you.

2. Choose

Match your investments to you - it makes sense. 

When it comes to choosing the right investment fund for your account, we want you to take a hands-on approach and choose the fund that’s right for you. It’s an important decision and we want to make sure you understand what your options are.

Take our Quick Investment Quiz to work out your risk appetite and see what fund may suit your investment style*.

You can change your fund to suit your life

You can change your investment option at any time and there are lots of options for you to choose from. Log in to your online account and click on the investments tab to see all the options**.

3. Grow

The key to a great Retirement is to grow your savings now 

To find out if you will have enough saved for your ideal retirement lifestyle, try our Retirement Income Simulator. 

Our Retirement Income Simulator is so much more than a calculator. It can help project savings all the way through to late retirement, while factoring in different conditions that could impact the retirement savings - like starting a family or a new job, buying an investment property, or running your own business.

Give yourself a bonus eveytime you get paid

If you find your projected retirement savings are less than ideal, you can increase your retirement savings in a few easy ways:

1. You can increase your contribution rate
   
   
2. You can make voluntary contributions
   
   
3. If you are a Mercer KiwiSaver scheme member, make sure you get your full Member Tax Credit

4. Check

Your tax rate can make a difference to your savings - check yours is correct

When you first signed up for a retirement savings account, you were asked to provide your Prescribed Investor Rate (PIR).

Your Mercer investment is a Portfolio Investment Entity or what’s known as a PIE scheme. This means any money you make through your investment will be taxed.

The PIR is the rate at which it will be taxed. A PIR is based on your taxable income, e.g. income from salary, wages and any additional sources of income that you would include in your income tax return. There are three PIR’s; 28%, 17.5% and 10.5%. If you didn’t provide a PIR when you joined, you will be charged tax at the highest PIR of 28%.

Keep your rate up to date

It’s a good idea to check your PIR annually, especially if your circumstances change. Otherwise you might be paying too much or not enough tax.

You can check and change your PIR by logging in to your online account.

If you’re not sure what your tax rate should be, visit the Inland Revenue website.***

5. Protect

The unexpected can happen - make a plan to protect your saviongs

You’re doing a great job saving for your retirement, but what if you lost your income and couldn’t make contributions to your account?

Mercer has launched SaverProtect, the only insurance benefit in New Zealand that can protect your KiwiSaver contributions if you can’t work.

SaverProtect is FREE for Mercer KiwiSaver scheme customers when you have a LifeProtect or BillProtect policy with Mercer.

Helping you through the tough times

With SaverProtect, $200 per month could be paid into your Mercer KiwiSaver scheme account if you are unable to work due to illness, injury or redundancy. This added safety net could be extremely helpful, plus it could ensure that you remain eligible for the annual member tax credit.

 Get an estimate online, or call us on 0508 637 237 to find out more****.

*Visit the important information section of the Quick Investment Quiz website for more information.

** The communication has been published as a general information service and does not take account of the investment objectives, financial situation and/or particular needs of any person. Before making any investment decision, you should take financial advice as to whether your intended action is appropriate in light of your particular investment needs, objectives and financial circumstances. Neither Mercer nor any of its related parties accepts any responsibility for any inaccuracy.

***Any information in this material regarding legal, accounting or tax outcomes does not constitute legal advice or an accounting or tax opinion and prior to relying and acting on this information it is important that you seek independent advice from a qualified lawyer or accountant regarding this information.

**** The Mercer personal insurance policies are underwritten by Cigna Life Insurance New Zealand Limited. This information is only a summary of the key features of the insurance policies. We recommend that you read the policy wordings for full product information, terms and conditions apply to all Mercer Protect insurance policies. Take advice from a financial adviser if you are unsure what action to take.