Here are some tips on how to build wealth and make positive steps towards financial independence.

Many first-time home buyers, often younger people, are finding it difficult to get their first mortgage. With most banks requiring a 20 per cent deposit to obtain a home loan, raising the initial capital can be the most difficult part. Lifetime has a few tips (or mortgage hacks) for those hoping to give their loved ones a helping hand onto the property market.

In December last year, the Best Doctors services was added to the AIA Judiciary Insurance Scheme, for no cost to the members. It is a fantastic service on its own and is also well suited and complimentary to the JANZ Sanctuary Care Program. This month we have added video clips that you can view at your convenience and how to steps to access your member portal

Following on from an unusual 2020 and 2021, 2022 is already looking to provide some unique opportunities and challenges.

Kiwis won’t forget 2021, the year of sudden change to the way we live in New Zealand following the outbreak of Covid and the lengthy lockdowns that followed for some, but not others. This has been a particularly stressful time for so many people and now we will get our collective heads around a new version of ‘traffic lights’. Health and safety remain a priority focus at Lifetime and we are closely following all government guidelines to make sure we keep our staff and clients safe.

Over the last few months, we have been absolutely delighted to be able to share some good news with you all and as we roll into Christmas, I thought it worthwhile to recap on this in case any of you had missed the previous news, before sharing further good news.

New Zealand’s gender pay gap is unlikely to be going anywhere anytime soon and the impact of earning less over a lifetime has an enormous effect on a woman’s immediate and future financial security. This is compounded by a lower level of workplace participation, a tendency to seek part-time casual work and bear the bulk of caring responsibilities for children and other family members. So how can women bridge the gap? Here are some tips on how to build wealth and make positive steps towards pay equity and financial independence despite and in spite of the hurdles women face.

JANZ’s financial services partner Lifetime has joined forces with One50 Group.

This news comes a month after Lifetime announced it had secured reduced trustee and admin fees for the Judiciary Superannuation Plan (NZRT) from 0.20% to 0.15% after negotiations with AMP.

Apart from the COVID blip, the New Zealand share market has enjoyed a decade-long bull market. It’s the kind of market that leads young investors to expect lightning-fast, sky-high returns.

In July we started implementing the change in investment manager for most of the AMP-branded funds within our Managed Investment Schemes. This includes the AMP New Zealand Retirement Trust.

If you are making investment decisions based on what happened in markets in the last week or the last day, you risk chasing past winners or perceiving as the greatest risk something that has already occurred and been priced in. Learn more.

Given the sudden and unexpected nature of natural disasters, at first not many similarities may come to mind, but on examination here are some of the common themes I observed.

Although long-term bond yields have recently gone up, they have simply gone back to where they were at the start of last year, pre-Covid. Importantly, central banks worldwide continue to hold their official short-term interest rates near zero to support the economic recovery.

When to invest is a big question facing many budding and experienced investors. The answer seems difficult and has caused a fair few headaches, but here is an example of when to invest that gives a clear answer.

The President may change, but we still expect a divided government to remain in place (with Republicans controlling the Senate) limiting the ability for Biden to make major legislative changes. We expect the following policy to shape markets over the next six to twelve months.

Wondering why the interest rate on your term deposits is so low? There are a few reasons for that.

Last month we introduced Mike O’Donnell, so this month we thought we would introduce Lifetime and give you some background to the company he works for.

Meet Mike O’Donnell of Lifetime and learn about his involvement and experience with the Judiciary Insurance and Superannuation Schemes.