Question 1

What is a Balanced KiwiSaver fund?

Accepted Answer

Balanced KiwiSaver funds invest 30-70% in growth assets (shares and property), with the remainder in income assets (bonds and cash). They offer a middle ground between growth potential and stability, designed for moderate risk tolerance. Balanced funds are ideal for people aged 40-60 with 5-15 years until retirement.

Question 2

Who should choose a Balanced KiwiSaver fund?

Accepted Answer

Balanced funds are best for: People aged 40-60 with moderate time horizons (5-15 years to retirement), those with moderate risk tolerance who want growth with some protection, and investors transitioning from Growth to Conservative funds. If you have 15+ years left, consider Growth funds. If you need money within 5 years, consider Conservative funds.

Question 3

What returns can I expect from Balanced KiwiSaver funds?

Accepted Answer

Balanced KiwiSaver funds typically return 5-8% annually over 5 years. Returns fall between Conservative (3-5%) and Growth (7-10%) funds. Balanced funds experience moderate volatility - in good years they may return 10-12%, while in downturns they may return 0-3% or occasionally negative. They provide a compromise between growth and stability.

Question 4

What's the difference between Balanced and Growth funds?

Accepted Answer

Balanced funds invest 30-70% in shares/property, while Growth funds invest 70-90%. Growth funds offer higher long-term returns but more volatility. Balanced funds provide steadier returns with less dramatic ups and downs. Choose Growth if you have 15+ years until retirement. Choose Balanced if you have 5-15 years or prefer moderate risk.

Question 5

When should I switch from Growth to Balanced?

Accepted Answer

Switch from Growth to Balanced funds 10-15 years before retirement or major withdrawals. This reduces your exposure to market volatility while still allowing growth. A common strategy: Growth funds in your 20s-40s, switch to Balanced in your 50s, then move to Conservative in your early 60s. Switching is free and takes 2-3 weeks.

Question 6

Are Balanced funds good for first home buyers?

Accepted Answer

Balanced funds are suitable for first home buyers planning to buy in 3-5 years. They offer better growth than Conservative funds while protecting against major market crashes. If you're buying within 1-2 years, switch to Conservative for more stability. If you're 5+ years away, consider Growth funds for maximum returns. Balance risk with your purchase timeline.

Rank	Fund Name	Provider	5-Year Return	Fees	Risk	Members
#1	Ethica Fund	Smartshares	7.99%	0.80%	4/7	1k
#2	Quaystreet Socially Responsible Investment Fund	Smartshares	7.76%	1.12%	4/7	0k
#3	Quaystreet Balanced Fund	Smartshares	7.71%	1.12%	4/7	1k
#4	Pathfinder Kiwisaver Balanced Fund	Pathfinder	7.36%	1.25%	4/7	3k
#5	Milford Kiwisaver Balanced Fund	Milford	7.34%	1.05%	4/7	28k
#6	Quaystreet Altum Fund	Smartshares	7.12%	1.37%	4/7	0k
#7	Superlife Balanced Fund	Smartshares	7.06%	0.70%	4/7	1k
#8	Superlife Age Steps - Age 60	Smartshares	6.62%	0.70%	4/7	0k
#9	AE Kiwisaver Plan	Always Ethical	6.33%	3.44%	7/7	3k
#10	Balanced Portfolio	Maritime	6.20%	0.70%	4/7	0k
#11	AMP Balanced Fund No. 2	AMP	6.20%	0.85%	4/7	1k
#12	Stepping Stones Growth 56-60	Generate	6.15%	1.36%	4/7	0k
#13	Stepping Stones 46-55	Generate	6.15%	1.36%	4/7	2k
#14	Balanced Fund	Anglican	6.06%	1.35%	4/7	2k
#15	Balanced Fund	Fisher	5.84%	1.04%	4/7	66k
#16	Balanced Fund	SuperEasy	5.71%	0.51%	4/7	0k
#17	Asset Class Balanced Fund	Booster	5.68%	1.32%	4/7	1k
#18	AMP Balanced Fund	AMP	5.57%	0.85%	4/7	26k
#19	AMP Balanced Fund (Lifesteps)	AMP	5.57%	0.85%	4/7	9k
#20	Lifestages Auto Option Age 55 - 59	SBS	5.53%	1.05%	4/7	1k
#21	Stepping Stones 56-60	Generate	5.49%	1.30%	4/7	1k
#22	Balanced Fund	MAS	5.48%	0.99%	4/7	5k
#23	Sustainable Balanced Fund	Mercer	5.35%	0.75%	4/7	13k
#24	BNZ Kiwisaver Balanced Fund	BNZ	5.32%	0.45%	4/7	27k
#25	Balanced Fund	Simplicity	5.31%	0.25%	4/7	14k
#26	Superlife Balanced Fund	AMP	5.27%	1.12%	4/7	1k
#27	Socially Responsible Balanced Fund	Booster	5.25%	1.33%	4/7	12k
#28	Balanced Fund	Westpac	5.19%	0.50%	4/7	83k
#29	Mercer Balanced Fund	AMP	5.15%	1.26%	4/7	2k
#30	Automatic Fund (Age 60)	SuperEasy	5.08%	0.51%	4/7	0k
#31	Balanced Fund	Mercer	5.00%	0.80%	4/7	3k
#32	Stepping Stones 61-64	Generate	4.88%	1.26%	3/7	0k
#33	Balanced Fund	Booster	4.87%	1.31%	4/7	34k
#34	Moderate Fund	Generate	4.75%	1.26%	3/7	23k
#35	Superlife Age Steps - Age 70	Smartshares	4.74%	0.68%	4/7	0k
#36	AMP Moderate Balanced Fund	AMP	4.48%	0.84%	4/7	18k
#37	AMP Moderate Balanced Fund (Lifesteps)	AMP	4.48%	0.84%	4/7	11k
#38	Pie Kiwisaver Balanced Fund	Pie	4.29%	0.69%	4/7	2k
#39	Balanced Fund	ANZ	4.20%	0.88%	4/7	89k
#40	Balanced Fund	ANZ	4.20%	0.88%	4/7	9k
#41	Summer Balanced Selection	Forsyth Barr	4.17%	1.02%	4/7	2k
#42	Moderate Fund	MAS	3.89%	0.95%	4/7	1k
#43	BNZ Kiwisaver Moderate Fund	BNZ	3.80%	0.45%	4/7	28k
#44	Moderate Fund	Westpac	3.80%	0.40%	4/7	37k
#45	Sustainable Moderate Fund	Mercer	3.76%	0.66%	4/7	5k
#46	Lifestages Auto Option Age 60 - 64	SBS	3.67%	0.99%	4/7	0k
#47	Moderate Fund	ASB	3.67%	0.60%	4/7	76k
#48	AMP Moderate Fund	AMP	3.55%	0.84%	4/7	13k
#49	AMP Moderate Fund (Lifesteps)	AMP	3.55%	0.84%	4/7	9k
#50	Moderate Fund	Mercer	3.55%	0.73%	4/7	0k
#51	Superlife Moderate Fund	AMP	3.21%	1.07%	4/7	1k
#52	Conservative Balanced Fund	ANZ	3.10%	0.73%	4/7	3k
#53	Conservative Balanced Fund	ANZ	3.10%	0.73%	4/7	42k
#54	Stepping Stones Growth 61-75	Generate	0.00%	1.26%	3/7	0k
#55	Balanced Fund	NZ Funds	0.00%	0.00%	4/7	0k
#56	Aurora Balanced Strategy	Fundrock	0.00%	1.51%	4/7	1k
#57	Investnow Milford Balanced Fund	Fundrock	0.00%	1.06%	4/7	1k
#58	Sharesies Smartshares Balanced Fund	Sharesies	0.00%	0.50%	4/7	1k
#59	Investnow Castle Point 5 Oceans Fund	Fundrock	0.00%	1.18%	3/7	0k
#60	Milford Balanced Fund	AMP	0.00%	1.43%	4/7	2k
#61	Default Saver Fund	Booster	0.00%	0.35%	4/7	56k
#62	Glidepath Age 55	Fisher	0.00%	1.13%	4/7	0k
#63	Aurora Retirementplus Age 65	Fundrock	0.00%	1.49%	4/7	0k
#64	Kernel Balanced Fund	Kernel	0.00%	0.25%	4/7	1k
#65	Balanced Fund	Generate	0.00%	1.36%	4/7	9k
#66	Balanced Strategy	Koura	0.00%	0.73%	4/7	0k
#67	Balanced Fund	Consilium	0.00%	0.70%	4/7	0k
#68	Default Balanced Fund	Westpac	0.00%	0.40%	4/7	73k
#69	Default Fund	Fisher	0.00%	0.37%	4/7	72k
#70	Investnow Foundation Series Balanced Fund	Fundrock	0.00%	0.36%	4/7	0k
#71	BNZ Kiwisaver Default Fund	BNZ	0.00%	0.35%	4/7	66k
#72	Goalsgetter Harbour Sustainable Impact Fund	Nikko	0.00%	1.61%	4/7	0k
#73	Default Fund	Simplicity	0.00%	0.25%	4/7	54k
#74	Goalsgetter Milford Balanced Fund	Nikko	0.00%	1.36%	4/7	0k
#75	Superlife Default Fund	Smartshares	0.00%	0.30%	4/7	56k
#76	Investnow Mercer Ethical Leaders Balanced Fund	Fundrock	0.00%	1.27%	4/7	0k
#77	Goalsgetter Generate Balanced Fund	Nikko	0.00%	1.65%	4/7	0k

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