My KiwiSaver and other investments are dropping in value – what should I do?
Managed funds
Managed Funds are a great option if you’re saving for something big in the future like an overseas trip, home renovations, or the tertiary education of your children. Unlike KiwiSaver, you can make withdrawals at any time, and you don't have to keep refixing like with a Term deposit. Like any investment, however, they will increase and decrease with the ebb and flow of the economy. Once again, the key is usually to invest for the long-term.
What we should do
Rather than reacting to headlines, consider using this time to review your investment strategy. Are you in a fund that matches your investment timeframe and are you comfortable with your investment risk? If retirement or a first‑home purchase is still many years away, short‑term market drops usually matter less. The most important thing is to stay invested and focus on long‑term growth.
If, however, market swings are causing significant stress, or if your circumstances have changed, it may be helpful to seek advice from your Futurisk adviser. A well‑structured plan can provide reassurance and help ensure your investments remain aligned with your goals.
Don’t give up
And don’t give up! Continuing regular contributions during downturns usually means you’re buying investments at lower prices. That means you reap the benefit when the market turns.
Recent global events, including the current situation in the Middle East, have resulted in increased volatility in financial markets across the world, including New Zealand. For most of us this has meant a decrease in the value of investments including KiwiSaver. It’s understandable that seeing our investment balances drop can be worrying, however, it pays to remember, periods like this are a normal part of investing – the market is constantly moving up and down and up again.
Don’t panic
The first and most important step is to neither panic nor feel depressed about this situation. Financial markets react quickly to global uncertainties, but history shows they tend to recover over time. Making rushed decisions to move or withdraw money based on short‑term market movements can lock in those short-term losses and reduce your ability to benefit when markets rebound. This is particularly relevant for KiwiSaver, which is designed as a long‑term investment for most people.
KiwiSaver
It also pays to remember that many KiwiSaver funds today hold a higher proportion of growth assets than in the past, which means balances can move up and down more sharply in the short term but provide a greater yield in the longer term. While this volatility can be unsettling, higher‑growth investments have historically delivered stronger long‑term returns for investors with time on their side.