First home withdrawals from ANZ’s three KiwiSaver schemes top $3 billion

More than 115,000 people have made a withdrawal from ANZ’s three KiwiSaver schemes to help them buy a first home, with withdrawals now totalling more than $3 billion.(1)

“KiwiSaver is helping thousands of New Zealanders take that first big step into home ownership,” says Fiona Mackenzie, Managing Director of ANZ Investments. “Over the past 12 months, just over 9,200 of our members made a first home withdrawal from their KiwiSaver account.”

• The average amount withdrawn was $43,000.
• 86 per cent of withdrawals were made by customers aged under 45, with an average age of 34.
• 60 per cent of first home buyers were invested in growth-oriented funds (High Growth, Growth, Balanced Growth) at the time of withdrawal, with 14 per cent invested in a Cash fund.(2)
• 89 per cent of members are making contributions to their KiwiSaver account three months later.

“Using KiwiSaver for a first home deposit is a significant achievement for our members, but it can put a big dent in the amount you will have when you retire.

“It’s really encouraging to see many of our members are continuing to contribute to their KiwiSaver account after making a first home withdrawal.

“We have just launched Your KiwiSaver Calculator in our goMoney app, which is a fantastic online tool to help you get back on track.”

Your KiwiSaver Calculator gives members in ANZ’s three KiwiSaver schemes an estimate of what they are on track to have saved by age 65, based on their own data. Members can explore different fund and contribution options to see how making changes now can affect their balance in the future.

“The calculator is tailored for each customer to help them see how small changes today - like adjusting their contribution rate or changing the fund they’re in - can make a big difference to their KiwiSaver balance at 65,” Ms Mackenzie says.

It is available in the ANZ goMoney mobile app for customers aged between 18 and 64 who’ve been in an ANZ-managed KiwiSaver scheme for 12 months or longer and have a balance of $1,000 or more.

First home buyers enter the market:

Figures from ANZ NZ show just over 11,000 first home buyers took a home loan with ANZ NZ in the year to September 30, compared to just over 10,000 in the previous year.

The average age of first home buyers taking a home loan with ANZ NZ was 35.

“It is great to see more people achieving that milestone of home ownership,” says Emily Mendes Ribeiro, ANZ’s General Manager for Homeowners.  “The combination of lower interest rates and housing at a more affordable level has been really good for first home buyers.”

Looking to the future:

One question that faces first-home buyers is whether to focus on paying off their home loan or trying to maximise their KiwiSaver contributions. The answer depends on a person’s individual circumstances.

“For some, the first step is making sure they’re getting all the KiwiSaver benefits,” says Fiona Mackenzie. “This includes government or employer contributions.”

“If you’re unsure, it’s always worth talking to a financial adviser, or your KiwiSaver provider.”

She says it’s important to think about your long-term future.

“We are living and working longer. Retiring at 65 is no longer guaranteed. So, the more you can save now the greater the choices you will be able to make in later life,” says Fiona Mackenzie.

“This will ensure that saving for a comfortable retirement and owning your own home, work hand in hand.”

(1) The ANZ KiwiSaver Scheme, the ANZ Default KiwiSaver Scheme, and the OneAnswer KiwiSaver Scheme.

(2) This includes members who have chosen the Lifetimes option, which automatically allocates funds based on a member’s age (excluding High Growth Fund)

Important information:

ANZ New Zealand Investments Limited is the issuer and manager of the ANZ KiwiSaver Scheme, OneAnswer KiwiSaver Scheme and ANZ Default KiwiSaver Scheme.  A copy of the ANZ KiwiSaver Scheme and OneAnswer KiwiSaver Scheme guide and product disclosure statement is available at anz.co.nz.  The ANZ Default KiwiSaver Scheme is closed to new members. Important information about the ANZ Default KiwiSaver Scheme is available at anz.co.nz/kiwisaverforms. Investments in the schemes are not deposits in or liabilities of ANZ Bank New Zealand Limited, Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited or their subsidiaries (together ‘ANZ Group’). ANZ Group does not stand behind or guarantee ANZ Investments. Investments in the schemes are subject to risk, including possible repayment delays, and loss of income and principal invested. ANZ Group will not be liable to you for the capital value or performance of your investment.

This news release is for information only. ANZ Bank New Zealand Limited’s financial advice provider disclosure is available at anz.co.nz/fapdisclosure.

Lending criteria, terms and fees apply to home loans.