Living The Dream - March 2019 by Times Media

Living the dream — RETIREMENT

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Living the Dream — Retirement

2 — A Times Newspapers Supplement, March 2019

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Freedom to be for Over 50s

ADVERTORIAL KC14176A

Matamata Longlands Lifestyle Village opened to the public in March 2019

ince Sir John Key, then Prime Minister, opened the first Freedom Lifestyle Village at Papamoa in 2014, over-50s have enjoyed a new dimension to their lifestyle choices. Live in a brand new designer home in a friendly, secure community of like-minded people, enjoy the protections of a registered Retirement Village – and if it comes time to sell, with Freedom you can share in the capital gain rewards of your investment!

The Freedom model

Jacob Van Het Wout, Freedom’s co-founder explains, “We pioneered the Freedom model after researching how to best provide affordable housing and lifestyle for over 50s in New Zealand – who can now downsize their house, free up some capital and start living life and pursuing interests they want, through our Lifetime Site Agreement. Our first Village, Papamoa Sands, sold out in half the time expected, and our second, Cambridge Oaks, has followed suit, with just a small number of houses remaining available

AS SEEN ON TV!

Motorhomers’ paradise

in latter development stages. “The concept for our Matamata village grew out of the sheer appeal of the Matamata Longlands site. With this unique development, we’re building our designer housing around the beautiful established facilities which become the social hub for residents.” Jacob continues, “Our residents love living in a friendly, secure over50s community where all can live independently and socialise as little or as much as they want. Our model becomes affordable as we don’t have such a heavy investment in medical or care facilities. Equally importantly, residents can benefit over time with appreciation in value, earning capital gain if it comes time to sell rather than paying a hefty deferred management fee deducted from their purchase price, as would be the case for traditional retirement villages”.

Matamata Longlands

Longlands’ superb environment with its grand tree-lined entranceway and established gardens (as seen on TV) for residents and guests to enjoy on every ‘homecoming’, was a driving force behind choosing this beautiful location. Matamata has plenty to offer as a bustling service township for the surrounding dairying and equestrian pursuits, and nearby Hobbiton’s international tourism popularity see Matamata recognised as “middle earth”. Swimming/fitness centres, cafes, restaurants, retail, golf and bowls clubs, and an abundance of hiking and outdoor activities are at your doorstep. For motorhome and caravan owners, Matamata is a springboard for the entire north island, close to SH27, an easy drive north to Auckland, west to Hamilton or south to Taupo, and in the foothills of the Bay of Plenty region.

Over 50? Ready to downsize to a brand new home, free up your money and find your Freedom?

All Freedom Lifestyle Villages provide secure and comprehensive parking and service facilities for motorhome owners for a nominal rental. Freedom caters for many Auckland over-50s who decide to downsize and find they have a healthy nestegg from their house sale, to enjoy the motorhome lifestyle and travel. They can “lock up and leave” their house at any time, knowing lawns and gardens will be maintained and the house will be just as they left it. The motorhome complex at Matamata Longlands will be the largest yet seen in a New Zealand lifestyle village – with more carparks, washdown and dumpstation facilities, storage and workshop sheds. It will be a true motorhomers’ paradise.

Enquire now!

Visit the matamatalongland.co.nz website, call 0800 OVER 50, or just get in the car to visit us at 80 Burwood Rd Matamata on weekdays or weekends.

GRAND OPENING MONTH! MARCH 2019 MONDAY TO FRIDAY 10.00AM – 4.00PM SATURDAY AND SUNDAY 11.00AM – 3.00PM

FIND YOUR FREEDOM AT MATAMATA LONGLANDS LIFESTYLE VILLAGE • NZ's first true over-50s lifestyle communities • Freedom model enables you to enjoy capital gains if it comes time to sell • Leave behind big city traffic and be part of a friendly community • Downsize to a brand new home, free up your capital to live a larger life

THE GRAND ENTRANCEWAY AT MATAMATA LONGLANDS

• Lower your living costs • Based in heart of "Middle Earth" and the golden triangle – adjacent major highways

PIAKO 1-BEDROOM DUPLEX FROM $399,000

• Heritage buildings form our social hub, with picturesque established gardens

TERRACE 1-BEDROOM APARTMENTS FROM $249,000

• Planned secure motorhome parking, storage facilities and workshops

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Warm, spacious 1-bedroom designer homes – apply now!

“We wish we'd moved in sooner. Even before we retired.” Jacky and Steve, Freedom residents

80 Burwood Road, Matamata Phone 0800 OVER 5O (0800 68 37 50) matamatalonglands.co.nz

facebook.com/freedomvillages

Cambridge Oaks Lifestyle Village Limited is a registered retirement village and is operated within the requirements of the Retirement Villages Act 2003. KC14175

Living the Dream — Retirement

www.times.co.nz

A Times Newspapers Supplement, March 2019 — 3

How will your retirement look? A

sk anyone who’s retired and they will say to start saving for retirement as soon as you can! Even if it seems a long way off, it pays to start planning for retirement as early as possible. How much we need to save will depend on our own circumstances, but the sooner we start, the better the position we’ll be in when we eventually stop working. While NZ Super (the Government pension) can help us get by, it’s our own savings that will help to make retirement fun and comfortable.

How much will I need to retire? Everyone’s retirement needs are different. To work this out, start by thinking about how long you will have in retirement, what sort of lifestyle you will want, and where you will live.

How many years will I have in retirement? There is no ‘retirement age’ in New Zealand. NZ Super is paid from age 65, but you don’t have to stop working to get it. These days, more and more people are working beyond 65 either full time or part time. We’re living longer these days. On average, 80 per cent of 65-year-old men can now expect to live until they’re 90, and 65-year-old women until they’re 94. In the future, we’ll probably live even longer. These figures are based on the latest Statistics New Zealand cohort life tables. Here’s where to estimate your life expectancy. Let’s say you plan to retire at 65. You need to save or have another plan to provide the income you want for 25 years or more, and make sure your money lasts as long as you do.

What sort of retirement lifestyle do I want? What will your cost of living be in retirement? Some costs may go up (like healthcare) while others

A l l I N e ed

Is New Zealand Superannuation or other Government allowances enough for you to live a comfortable life in this era of high prices? Stock photo

(such as education, clothing, housing, work-related travel) may go down. If you have children, they will probably be financially independent. You also need to think about what your goals might be in retirement – travelling to new places? Joining clubs, going out to dinner and shows?

Will I live in my own home or rent? If you rent, you’ll need more savings to cover the cost – but on the other hand, you won’t have money tied up in a home. However, owning the place you live in, debt-free, will reduce the risk of rent increases or being asked to find a new place to live. You’ll have more control over your finances, but you will have to take care of maintenance, insurance and rates. Being mortgage-free by retirement is a great goal to aim for. The reason many people currently in retirement are able to manage financially is because they no longer have the burden of mortgage repayments.

Budget for retirement Getting close to retirement? It might be a good time to work out a detailed budget. Think about

what weekly expenses might be in today’s money. Take basics into account, such as insurance, maintaining the house and car, or replacing a major appliance. Build in some funds for the unexpected. Think about the big things that might need to be paid for later on – like a new car, new roof or repainting the house.

Where will the money come from? Paying off debt in retirement can be more difficult. We need to make it our priority to be debt-free before we retire. Many retired New Zealanders get their income from two main sources – NZ Super, and their own savings. However it is estimated that around 40 per cent of New Zealanders over the age of 65 rely on NZ Super alone. Take a look at the current rates of NZ Super. Would that be enough to live on? Most likely, there will be a gap between the income NZ Super provides, and the income we want in retirement. So we’ll need to have other sources when planning for retirement needs such as:

Our own savings Income and nest eggs from

retirement savings schemes like KiwiSaver, other pensions and workplace savings, investments, and cash deposits.

Employment We may prefer and be able to keep working, either full-time or part time (as long as we have the skills and capacity). Around a third of Kiwis continue some form of paid work past age 65. Other sources of income could include investment income from the sale or rental of property, the sale of a business or an inheritance.

Getting rid of debt If you have any expensive debt (high-interest credit card or hire purchase debt), the first step in your retirement plan should be to pay that off as quickly as possible.

Guide to managing debt Stepping around the mortgage trap Paying off the mortgage before you retire is the next priority – but it shouldn’t be your only retirement plan. On paper, the interest you pay on your mortgage is usually higher than any after-tax return you could earn on your savings (with the possible exception

of KiwiSaver) – and that ‘return’ (interest saved) is guaranteed. That’s something few investments can offer. But there are risks in leaving serious retirement saving until after you’ve got rid of your mortgage. You may end up having a mortgage for longer than you expect, due to changes in your circumstances such as ill health or loss of work that reduce your ability to make repayments. Or a life shock like separation could upset your plans.

How KiwiSaver can help The extra benefits KiwiSaver offers make it a great option for retirement saving – even if you have a mortgage. As well as the money you put in and any growth in your savings over time, you also get regular contributions from our employer. These are on top of the annual contributions that KiwiSaver members receive from the government. All this extra money means your own savings will produce higher returns than another option where you are the only one who contributes. That will make it easier to reach your retirement savings goal. Source: www.sorted.org.nz

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4 — A Times Newspapers Supplement, March 2019

Living the Dream — Retirement

www.times.co.nz

INNOVATING WITH CARE

Private hospitals and rest homes that find new ways to deliver brighter living.

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Living the Dream — Retirement

How much do you need to retire? W

e hear a lot about “retirement planning” and this subject either throws people into a panic or they relegate it to the “too hard” basket and ignore it and then it’s in “too late” basket. So many different estimates are bandied around about how much you’ll actually need. Westpac estimates a single person needs about $300,000 for a “steak dinners” retirement or $80,000 for a simpler lifestyle. I’ve heard some say you need a million. The point is, there’s no one magic number, there is only your number. That number would ideally be based on what you want your life to be like, rather than just the kind of life you discover you can afford at 65. In the past, saving for retirement was fairly simple. If you got on the property ladder, paid off the mortgage and then saved for a few years afterwards, you’d be all right. But times have changed. For a start, higher house prices and buying later means many retirees will not be mortgage free or own a home at all and that’s something that makes retirement much easier. Start by running some numbers on what your life costs now. Add in expected one-off expenses like holidays, home maintenance and upgrading your car, subtract

what you currently spend supporting the kids, paying your mortgage or saving for retirement – as those expenses will be nil by then. If you won’t own a freehold home by retirement, include rent or mortgage payments in those calculations and multiply the result by the number of years you expect to be retired. The next number you need is how much you’re likely to have. Add up: how much you expect to have saved, your Kiwisaver, investments and the value of the pension (about $21,000/ year for a single person). Subtract your savings from your expected costs and what you have left is your shortfall. The most basic options for bridging this shortfall start with “earn more, spend less or retire later” – but they aren’t necessarily possible – or appealing! If you’re running short on time, the gap can be too large to bridge with savings alone and you will need to look at other options. You could downsize your home. But often that won’t release as much equity as you’d hoped, due to timing, the type of home you wish to buy, and the location. There are other options to explore, but the message is simple: don’t put off thinking about retirement, you’ll feel far less anxious if you have a plan in place. Dianne Barlow, EnableMe

A Times Newspapers Supplement, March 2019 — 5 ADVERTORIAL KC14171A

Giving care in all directions

eople are living longer, doing more and under more pressure than ever before to perform super-human acts of caring for multiple generations. Those who care for others every minute, of every day of the year see families under increasing strain as they desperately want to help mum with dementia, the baby grandson and the working children. Allan and Linda Sargeant, owners of Ambridge Rose private hospitals and rest homes, have seen two decades of change in professional aged care and they say families can feel guilty when they need to find residential care for an older person. “Baby boomers are retiring and many of them have parents who need daily assistance,” says Allan. “It’s quite likely the baby boomers also have offspring who are busy working while they juggle their own young families.” Since, Allan and Linda bought Ambridge Rose in 2002 the number of older people requiring care has significantly increased. Medical developments have increased life spans but New Zealand’s ageing population has more complex healthcare requirements that are difficult to manage at home. “There are so many reasons why people can’t care for an ageing family member and many people experience feelings of guilt and grief, especially when the change is sudden and unexpected. Everyone needs to support each other during the adjustment.” The Sargeants who run three leading boutique-style aged care facilities, recommend families talk to the leadership team at their chosen rest home because sharing their concerns will provide some

reassurance. “Plan how to share time with your loved one when you visit them, which could be as simple as reading the newspaper, showing them family photos or joining an activity at the home,” says Linda. “Babies and toddlers are a highlight for older people, and visits from grandchildren are rewarding for everyone,” she advises. That takes care of two caregiving tasks – looking after grandies and a visit to an older relative. When they are in good care, there will be lots of happenings and families should be kept informed. “Many families find an older person gets a new lease of life when they move into quality residential care because they have better routines and health than when they were living independently,” Linda says. Families with a little less pressure to provide constant and complete care may also find their relationship with their elderly relative improves. “It can be a relief when the caregiving responsibility is handed over and then families can focus on their relationships.” www.ambridgerose.co.nz

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6 — A Times Newspapers Supplement, March 2019

Living the Dream — Retirement

www.times.co.nz

Four interesting investment options for Kiwis (with pros and cons) R

etirement is the time to enjoy the fruits of your labour. Less work and more play - you’ve earned it, after all! Research suggests that jobs are the main reason for stress in many people, although we doubt that would take you by surprise. With retirement comes less stress, more fun and time to spend with your friends and family; not to mention that you can finally pursue hobbies that you’ve always wanted to but just never had the time to get around to because of work commitments. But here’s the thing... is New Zealand Superannuation or other government allowances enough for you to live a comfortable life in this era of high prices? According to Statistics New Zealand, the life expectancy of Kiwis has increased in the past few decades. Which means you’ve got to plan your finances for the next few decades after your retirement. That’s quite a bit of time to think about. With all of these things

insurance company. It’s a way of turning your retirement savings into a lifetime source of income for you, which makes it a good long-term investment for retirement. Pros: An Immediate Annuity protects you against the risk of outliving your savings. Cons: The earnings from Immediate Annuities might not be enough for a very comfortable lifestyle. In simple terms, the income might just be sufficient to pay the bills, but not much else.

2. Bonds

Many retired New Zealanders get their income from two main sources – NZ Super, and their own savings. However it is estimated that around 40 per cent of New Zealanders over the age of 65 rely on NZ Super alone. Photo sorted.org.nz

in mind, it’s crucial that you are aware of investment options that can generate a reasonable amount of income during your golden years.

1. Immediate annuities As the name suggests, Immediate Annuities start providing income immediately. In simple terms, you can

LIFE DOESN’T WAIT, NEITHER SHOULD YOUR INVESTMENTS.

invest the lump sum money that you have saved up throughout the years and start taking an income from that money. Think of it as a pension you can buy from an

A bond is a loan given to a company or government by an investor. The bottom line: Investors invest in bonds to save the money that they have while generating extra income from that money. The amount of your earnings depends on the interest rate. To get a clearer understanding of how bonds work, consider the following example: Turn to page 10

Returns from 6.25% to 8%* Sometimes it can be hard to balance the need to save for your future, as well as enjoying the adventures that pop up every day. Our unique investment model offers you the flexibility to do both. At Southern Cross Partners, we offer mortgage secured loans that allow investors to pick and choose their level of involvement. With returns of 6.25% - 8%* paid out monthly, you’ll know you’re making the most of your savings and can make the most of life at the same time. Talk to us today about a new, flexible way to invest. Phone 0800 00 58 43 www.southerncrosspartners.co.nz

* Investment rate subject to change. Southern Cross Partners Ltd is a licensed Peer to Peer lender under the Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013. JH14766

Living the Dream — Retirement

www.times.co.nz

A Times Newspapers Supplement, March 2019 — 7

Celebrating Retirement & Travelling? Are you celebrating your retirement with an overseas travel adventure? Our doctors and nurses are constantly amazed at the incredible adventures to exotic places our patients visit. Some of these destinations are remote destinations all over the world – producing unforgettable tales and awesome photos. Obtaining good travel advice is a part of the preparation for adventures to any destination. Ideally visiting your doctor for a pre-travel visit 4-6 weeks before you intend travelling is best. The doctor you visit needs to know about your illnesses and any medications you are taking, as these influence medical decisions. Your doctor can provide a physical examination and assess your fitness for travel – particularly for seniors. If you have heart disease you might choose a less strenuous travel itinerary. A travel health kit should all be considered and documented at a travel health consultation. You will need information about your travel destination particularly about altitude and climate as these can affect your health as you age and the destination’s risk of natural disasters. Make sure you are up to date with routine Vaccination such as Tetanus, Flu and Measles/ Mumps and Rubella (MMR). Yellow Fever vaccine should be given cautiously to people over 60 years and it should not be given to people who are immune suppressed.

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If you are on long term medications take enough for your trip. Counterfeit drugs may be common overseas. Take a copy of your prescription and pack your medicines in your carry-on luggage. Traveller’s diarrhoea is the most common complaint for remote travellers. Dengue fever is on the increase in many countries. Applying a good insect repellent is the best way to prevent this. The biggest cause of fatalities amongst travellers is motor vehicle accidents, the risk being reduced by good decision making about seat belts, road crossing and using only authorised public transport. Do not ride in cars after dark in developing countries or after dark in questionable areas. We also advise joining your GPs’ Patient Portal so that you can access your patient record anywhere in the world 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

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Living the Dream — Retirement

8 — A Times Newspapers Supplement, March 2019

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Five top tips for over 50s travel insurance T

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here are very few subjects in the world more boring than insurance, and that’s a fact, but it’s one of those things you know you should have, so most people tend to just choose the cheapest and forget to read the fine print. This applies to travel insurance just as much as any other. Once they’ve chosen the cheapest cover, people then simply believe that they’re covered for everything, when policies generally only cover you for certain events. Imagine doing something so simple as spraining an ankle on your coach tours of the USA. You miss the bottom step of the bus by a few millimetres, and the result is a hospital visit – which in that country can cost you upwards of $10,000 if you’re a tourist – and put you on crutches for the rest of your trip. If you break an ankle, you’re looking at $30-40,000 in bills. Put that together with a recent survey which noted that almost one in five Australian and New Zealanders experienced an insurable event on their last holiday, and the need for travel insurance seems much more important and this is exactly why the cheapest is very rarely the best. So here are our top five tips for choosing travel insurance.

1. Make sure you’re covered for everything you need Fortunes Road, Pakuranga • Ph 09 576 5990 www.realliving.co.nz

Consider your itinerary, the number of flights/tours and other activities you’ll be taking. Each one of those is an opportunity for something to go wrong, like a missed flight, long flight delays etc.

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hide any medical conditions...if you have a problem while travelling, it’s better to have confidence that you’ll be looked after rather than save a few dollars before you leave.

4. Buy insurance as early as possible The experts say that it’s best to book your travel insurance straight after booking your holiday with the advantage of buying your travel insurance early is that some of those policies will cover you for an event before you leave. Keep in mind that very few insurers let you purchase insurance after you’ve already left home, and it’ll be expensive.

5. Shop around

Whenever you’re travelling, shop around to get the best policy for your money. It’s definitely worth the time and effort, giving you peace of mind while you’re away.

2. Don’t hide existing conditions

The most common insurable events:

3. Don’t hide any medical conditions

• Flight or tour cancelled • Flight delayed more than 12 hours or missing a connecting flight • Received medical treatment • Lost / damaged / stolen luggage, cash or other items • Forced to cancel trip before departure • Talk to a specialist • There are specialised travel insurance packages for over 50s, like Probus which will insure you up to 100 years old with pre-existing conditions (many companies cap the age at 80 or 85) and offer a range of packages to suit your lifestyle and travel plans including an annual package for frequent travellers, so make them your starting point in finding the ideal travel insurance policy for you. • www.probussouthpacific.org

Whilst many travel insurance policies won’t cover you for some pre-existing conditions, specialty over 50s policies like Probus Travel Insurance certainly will, so it’s worth shopping around if you’ve had problems in the past.

A family run business with up to date equipment and well trained staff – we provide an all round experience.

Enjoy your travels with confidence when you’re insured correctly. Photo supplied

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Living the Dream — Retirement

www.times.co.nz

A Times Newspapers Supplement, March 2019 — 9

When will you stop working? There is no official retirement age in New Zealand, but there are some exceptions. Many people stop working around the age of 65 – that’s when NZ Super and some other pension payments start. If you think you’ve been forced to retire, you can take a personal grievance against your employer or get help from the Human Rights Commission. NZ Superannuation is a universal payment for NZ citizens and residents who are 65 or older.

Managing your money in retirement Income after you turn 65

Most people get NZ Superannuation when they turn 65, but there are other sources of income you might use to support yourself. These can affect the tax you pay or benefits you can apply for.

Financial help and benefits if you’re over 65

If you’ve retired on a limited income, you may be able to get government help to pay for

regular costs or unexpected expenses. You can use your SuperGold Card for transport and other discounts.

Getting NZ Superannuation or the Veteran’s Pension

NZ Superannuation is a universal payment for NZ citizens and residents who are 65 or older. If you’ve served in New Zealand’s Armed Forces you might be able to apply for a Veteran’s Pension instead.

If you can’t get NZ Superannuation or other benefits

If you can’t get any other financial support from the government, you can apply for help with day-to-day living costs and health. You can also apply for a SuperGold Card.

Getting help with your budget

There are community services that can help you manage your finances. Source www.govt.nz

Jobs with a retirement age There are a few jobs or employment situations where you may not be able to keep working after a specific age. They include: • jobs where being a particular age or in a particular age group is genuinely needed for you to do the job – for example, an actor who needs to be a certain age for a role • domestic employment in a private household, such as a cleaner or a gardener • occupations where the retirement age is written into law – for example, judges and coroners • some crew of ships and aircraft employed by foreign-owned companies that are operating in New Zealand.

Employment contracts before April 1992 You don’t have to stop work at a specific age unless: • your current employment contract was signed before 1 April 1992 • that contract specified your retirement age • you agreed with your employer in writing on or after 1 April 1992 to confirm or change your retirement age. Source: www.govt.nz

Join us for the 2019

with Julie Biuso Gather the ladies for an entertaining afternoon while enjoying a glass of wine and a three course luncheon, prepared by Grant Allen and Alfriston College students. Featuring a silent auction and raffles, it’s the perfect Mother’s Day treat! Also featuring the incredible internationally acclaimed singer Will Martin who will be treating us to songs from his brand new record ‘By Request’.

Friday 10th May, 2019 11:45am - 3:00pm

Tickets $70pp - Table of 10 $650 Totara Hospice, 140 Charles Prevost Drive, Manurewa, Auckland

BOOK NOW:

www.ladieslunch.co.nz All proceeds to Totara Hospice Enquiries: jo.davis@hospice.co.nz or 09 640 0243

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Living the Dream — Retirement

10 — A Times Newspapers Supplement, March 2019

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ADVERTORIAL DE0025A

Retirement Lifestyle & Travel Expo will have something for everyone

he annual Retirement Lifestyle & Travel Expo returns to the Ellerslie Event Centre on the weekend of 13 & 14 April, 2019. The show is an exhibition of the Best Products, Services, Travel and Entertainment for Seniors, SuperGold Cardholders, Baby Boomers and their Families. Performing at the show this year is one of New Zealand’s Greatest Entertainers “Mr Ray Woolf”. Ray Woolf’s career as a performer spans from rock’n’roll to jazz, and has included singing, acting, and hosting his own talk show. He was New Zealand Entertainer of the Year in 1975. The Retirement Lifestyle & Travel Expo is focussed on providing all visitors an opportunity to access the best travel, products, services and entertainment, to help them make their own choices for bringing about the lifestyle they want. There are exclusive opportunities for the Mature Traveller you won’t find anywhere else, along with Show Only Specials on a range of Products and Services. The expo is tailored specifically to cater for the needs and wants of Retirees, Baby Boomers, and their families, to help them plan for tomorrow while enjoying today. All generations will also enjoy a number of Travel and Lifestyle Presentations throughout the weekend. The expo is taking place on the weekend of Saturday 13th &

Make sure you have sound knowledge of the Residential Tenancy Act.

Mr Ray Woolf.

Investment options

Photo supplied

Sunday 14th April at the Ellerslie Event Centre (Ellerslie Racecourse), Auckland, and is open from 10am till 3pm on both days. All visitors can go in the draw to win a 5 day tour for 2 to d’Urville Island, located in a remote out reach of the Marlborough Sounds with Driftwood Retreat & Eco Tours. For more information, visit www.retirementlifestyleexpo.co.nz or see advert below.

From page 6 Auckland Council wants to build a rugby stadium and it decides to issue bonds to raise money. The council promises to pay the money back in 10 years. To make this loan more attractive to investors, the council agrees to pay an annual interest rate of 5 per cent (which is also known as a coupon rate). This means for a $1000 investment, the investor earns a gross annual interest of $50 for 10 years and gets the principal amount back at the end of this period. Pros: Depending on the financial stability of the issuers, bonds are a great option to diversify your investment portfolio. For example, bonds issued by government organisations usually have great stability. Cons: Corporate bonds could represent a greater risk of default depending on the company.

win tickets We have three double passes to the Retirement Lifestyle & Travel Expo 2019 to give away. To win, simply visit the www.times.co.nz competition zone and enter your details.

Ellerslie Event Centre, Ellerslie Racecourse, Remuera, Auckland

13 - 14 April 2019, 10am - 3pm DAILY

The only exhibition of the Latest Products, Services, Travel, Speakers and Entertainment for Baby Boomers, Retirees and their families! • • • • • • • • • • • •

Travel and Tours Health and Wellbeing Investment and Trusts Retirement Living Clubs and Hobbies Technology Hearing Specialists Destinations Cruising Coach and Rail Tours Show Only Specials CAFÉ on Site and more! • Exclusive Opportunities for the Mature Traveller

Entertainment Includes: • Travel and Lifestyle Presentations, on Stage throughout the weekend. • One of New Zealand’s Greatest Entertainers Mr Ray Woolf will be performing at 12 noon each day.

3. Rental real estate

DAILY ADMISSION PRICES (OR FREE ENTRY WITH TICKET BELOW)

(With SuperGold Card)

Children FREE

Free Parking / Easy Access

Door Sales or pre-purchase online via eventfinda

Transport you can trust

for

13 - 14 April 2019. 10am - 3pm DAILY

to The Retirement Lifestyle and Travel Expo 2019 Please hand to attendant on entry www.retirementlifestyleexpo.co.nz

13 - 14 April 2019. 10am - 3pm DAILY

admission with this coupon

Ellerslie Event Centre, Remuera, Auckland

House prices have increased considerably over the past few years, and as a result many people are choosing to rent to get by. However, if you can afford to buy a property and lease it to tenants, there are some things you should keep in mind:

Adult $12.00 Senior $10.00

www.retirementlifestyleexpo.co.nz

Reliable, friendly and local -

Medical Social & business Shopping Outings Airport transfers One off or regular Long trips and local

SHOP LOCAL

Total Mobility Provider

and reap the

BENEFITS

howick@freedomdrivers.co.nz

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First of all, make sure you have sound knowledge of the Residential Tenancy Act. Secondly, as a landlord, you’re in charge of maintaining the property. You are responsible for drainage, heating (Insulation), sanitation, overcrowding, smoke alarms, new Health & Safety laws etc. Did you know you have to appoint a New Zealand-based landlord if you’re leaving the country for 21 days? If you haven’t been a landlord before, you may not have known this. So make sure you familiarise yourself with any issues that come with owning a rental real estate property - of which, there are many. Another tip to ensure that rental real estate turns out to be a good investment option is to buy the right type of property in the right area. For example, a 1-bedroom apartment in the Auckland CBD could be easier to rent than one in an outer suburb. Websites like Airbnb can make finding tenants and visitors much easier, so don’t forget to give these a look if you’re having trouble sourcing people. The right investment property could offer good capital gains, over time, but the reverse can also happen and a loss could occur. Turn to page 11

Are sky-high petrol prices sucking the money out of your wallet?

Call Daniel Whaitiri now! 09 532 8388 or 021 929 911

THIS COUPON ADMITS 1 ADULT / SENIOR WITH A PAYING ADULT / SENIOR

Photo supplied

Ph: (09) 271 8000 www.times.co.nz

Living the Dream — Retirement

www.times.co.nz

Investment options From page 10 Pros: Real estate rental provides a steady income, especially in areas where the majority of people choose renting instead of buying. Also, the financial value of the property will increase over time. Cons: Tenants might cause damage to the property, or not pay rent on time. Plus there may be legal issues that you need to consider before buying and renting your property.

4. Peer-to-peer lending

Peer-to-Peer lending (or P2P lending) might be a good investment option worth considering for a number of reasons. This is how it works. An online service matches lenders with borrowers who need to borrow money for a variety of reasons. On one hand, there are borrowers who are unable to borrow money from a bank , and on the other hand, there are lenders (investors) who are willing to invest their money to generate more money. A peer-to-peer lending platform like Southern Cross Partners facilitates these transactions between lenders and borrowers. Here at Southern Cross Partners, the opportunity to invest in shortterm first mortgage loans is made

available to investors like you. What’s more? All loan applications are assessed by our credit team first for suitability and we initially use our own funds to provide these loans. You will not have any contact with the borrower, but you will enjoy a registered first mortgage security over that borrower’s property held in trust by our trust company Loan Investment Trustees Ltd. Sounds like a win-win, doesn’t it? Pros: Opening an online investment account is quick and easy. Also, you can invest in a portfolio of many loans at once that you can choose from a list of loans immediately available, so no waiting for other investors to fill the loan! Cons: If the borrower defaults, the lender risks losing their investment. But there are certain platforms that mitigate this risk by doing credit checks – assessing the borrower’s affordability, and securing the loan with a first registered mortgage over property that can be sold – Southern Cross Partners being one of them. All investments have risks and its important to choose the one that suits you and your own circumstances. Source: Southern Cross Partners

A Times Newspapers Supplement, March 2019 — 11 ADVERTORIAL JU0814A

It’s fine, rain or shine, with Scooterpac Don’t be stuck indoors this spring, get out and about with a Scooterpac canopy.

he Scooterpac Canopy is a breakthrough universal folding canopy which fits almost any mobility scooter on sale today. It’s a ticket to all-weather mobility, allowing scooter users to battle the elements without fear. Scooterpac is available exclusively at Independent Living, your local notfor-profit organisation committed to making daily living easier for people with impairments. When it comes to your safety, there are no compromises. That’s why the Scooterpac uses high aircraft grade aluminium that goes through multiple quality control stages to ensure perfect operation come rain or shine. It has full visibility forwards and sideways, and it’s secure up to 32kmph/20mph. Scooterpac’s ingenious mechanism lets the canopy fold back behind the seat when not in use and sets up in seconds when needed, just like a convertible. It is made from specialist waterproof fabric, with ultra-durable polymer sides and a high-clarity windscreen. Part of the genius of the Scooterpac is the way it fits on almost any scooter sold today. Most scooters accept the mountings without any adjustment but, if required, brackets can be supplied which are custom made to fit models with a trickier mounting. The Scooterpac canopy is available in ‘Standard’ and ‘XL’ but speak to a

technology specialist at Independent Living who will be able to determine which size is needed. The Scooterpac Canopy should be fitted by a mobility technician in under 20 minutes and can be opened in just 30 seconds. At Independent Living there is a team of skilled and knowledgeable specialists making a real difference in the local community. They can provide information about support services, assistive products and general information so that you can live your life, your way. The Independent Living mobile service also provides free in-home mobility scooter demonstrations to assist with selecting the right scooter to best suit individual needs, and home environment. What’s more, they’ll happily provide free delivery and in-home training for any scooter purchase in the Auckland metro region.

Get your ticket to all weather mobility. Scooterpac canopies available in store now. Visit us for specialist information about support services & a full range of assistive products so you can live your life, your way.

FREE

DELIVERY

in Auckland metro on scooters & power chairs

Botany | Royal Oak | Browns Bay Weekdays: 9am - 5pm | Saturday: 9am - 4pm

0800 625 100 | ilsnz.org JU1023

12 — A Times Newspapers Supplement, March 2019

Living the Dream — Retirement

www.times.co.nz

The Ryman Difference Putting residents ﬁrst! Our winning formula for over 30 years.

The weekly fee is ﬁxed for the entire time you occupy your townhouse or apartment, guaranteed.* There are no hidden costs such as waitlist fees, surprise move-in costs or administration fees. And you will beneﬁt from one of the lowest deferred management fees in the retirement sector, capped at 20 percent.

Resident-focused innovation

Care options that suit your needs

Ryman Delicious menus oﬀer choice and freshness, our myRyman electronic care programme enables individualised care at the touch of a button, and emergency power generators in every Ryman village centre keep residents safe and warm even if the lights go out.

We’re dedicated to caring for you now and into your future. We provide independent living, and assisted living in a serviced apartment. Plus, resthome and hospital care, and in most villages, specialist dementia care.

For more information about the Ryman difference phone Rose on 09 535 0225 or visit www.rymanhealthcare.co.nz

Where community shapes the heart of your retirement KC14092

*Some conditions apply

Fair terms