Which TOWER KiwiSaver Scheme investment fund may suit you

The TOWER KiwiSaver Scheme is made up of a number of investment funds that allow you to choose between conservatively managed funds that aim to produce steady growth, or others that are geared for higher growth but with the possibility of greater volatility.

The TOWER KiwiSaver Scheme offers a range of investment funds managed by professional investment managers who invest in a variety of funds on your behalf. Investment managers have the knowledge, expertise and market information to make informed and educated investment decisions. It is their role to seek to achieve the particular investment objectives of each fund.

What's your investment profile?

This worksheet may help you decide which TOWER KiwiSaver Scheme investment fund may best suit your needs. The information is a guide only, contains information of a general nature and does not take into account your particular financial situation or goals. Please provide realistic and honest answers. If you require any help in completing this worksheet please give us a call on 0800 379 372.

If you intend to use your KiwiSaver savings to help you buy your first home (or use them as a “second chance-home buyer”) then please do not use this investment profiler. It has been designed with retirement saving in mind and may not be suitable for investors with a short term focus such as purchasing a home in 3 to 5 years. In these cases the Preservation Fund may be the most suitable fund for your purposes. Please read the description of this fund, and consider taking advice from a professional investment adviser before making your fund choice.

Profile worksheet

The first two questions concern your time horizon.

An investor's time horizon is the number of years they have until they start to withdraw some or all of their investment. You become eligible to withdraw your accumulated KiwiSaver savings when you reach the qualifying age of New Zealand Superannuation (currently at the age of 65) or you have been a member of KiwiSaver Scheme for five years (whichever is later). Click on the circle next to your answer.

What is your current age?

66 years or more
61-65 years
56-60 years
45-55 years
Less than 45 years

When do you expect to start making retirement withdrawals from your KiwiSaver investments?

Immediately
Not now, but within 5 years
In 5-10 years
In 10-20 years
Not for at least 20 years

The next two questions ask about your long-term goals and expectations for this investment

The more realistic you are about your objectives and your attitude to investing, the more accurate your results will be.

What is your investment goal?

To avoid losing money
To grow your savings with caution
To grow your savings moderately
To grow your savings significantly
To grow your savings aggressively

What do you expect from this investment over time?

High stability and not to lose money
Some stability, with similar returns to a bank term deposit
Modest returns, but higher than bank term deposits
Good returns, significantly higher than bank term deposits
The highest return possible, even with negative returns over the short-term

The next two questions concern your reaction to negative returns and thoughts about shorter-term results.

Again, answer as honestly as possible.

Investment markets can go up and down in value. By how much could the value of your total portfolio go down over one year before you'd feel uncomfortable?

Any fall in value
A fall of 1% - 4%
A fall of 5% - 10%
A fall of 11% - 18%
A fall of 19% or more

Which of these statements best describes your expectations about the performance of this investment over the next three years?

I need to see at least a little return
I would have a hard time tolerating any losses
I can tolerate a small loss
I can tolerate a loss
I don't mind if I lose money

The final question determines your investment familiarity

Do you have any non-KiwiSaver investments in shares or managed funds?

None, I have never invested before
I have a property only
I have invested in managed funds
I have invested in shares
I have a broad range of investments across shares and managed funds

Your total 0.

Based on your score you might like to consider the following fund:

(For more information on each of the funds, click on the fund name below)

Note: 'short-term' refers to up to three years, 'medium-term' refers to three to seven years, and 'long-term' refers to over seven years


7-12      TOWER KiwiSaver Preservation Fund - This fund generally suits investors who may have a short term until retirement or potential withdrawal of their funds. Preservation Fund investors are generally cautious and do not tolerate losses in their investment in the short term, seeking stable or consistent returns in line with bank deposits.

11-15    TOWER KiwiSaver Cash Enhanced Fund - This fund is only available to members allocated to the TOWER KiwiSaver Scheme by the Inland Revenue. The Cash Enhanced Fund generally suits cautious investors who may have a short to medium term until retirement or potential withdrawal of their funds, and who therefore seek comparatively stable returns, with limited fluctuations over the long term.

13-20    TOWER KiwiSaver Conservative Fund - This fund generally suits cautious investors who may have a medium term until retirement or potential withdrawal of their funds. Conservative Fund investors generally seek comparatively stable returns, with limited fluctuations over the long term.

21-26    TOWER KiwiSaver Balanced Fund - This fund generally suits investors who have a medium to long term until retirement or potential withdrawal of funds, and are therefore willing to tolerate losses in their investment in the short term. Balanced Fund investors are generally accepting of higher levels of fluctuation in their investment returns than the Conservative Fund (including periods of negative returns) in return for potential capital growth over the long term.

27-31    TOWER KiwiSaver Growth Fund - This fund generally suits long-term investors, with a long term until retirement or potential withdrawal of their funds, who are comfortable with changes in the value of their investment resulting from market movements to achieve above average returns. Growth Fund investors generally seek higher returns, and are therefore willing to accept significant fluctuations in their investment returns (including negative returns) from year to year.

32-35    TOWER KiwiSaver Equity Fund - This fund generally suits long-term investors, with a long term until retirement or potential withdrawal of their funds, wishing to focus their investment solely in equities. Equity Fund investors generally prefer investments, like shares, that potentially produce higher returns over the long term, even though the returns may be more unstable, with significant fluctuations in investment returns (including negative returns), in the short term.


You should seek professional financial advice before deciding which fund to invest in. You could also elect to spread your savings across more than one fund and you can change your fund choice at a future date. If you do not choose an investment fund, you will automatically be allocated to the Balanced Fund. Members allocated to TOWER KiwiSaver by the Inland Revenue will be automatically invested in the Cash Enhanced Fund until they have selected another fund.



View the TOWER KiwiSaver Scheme Investment Statement

Get the information you need to make an
informed decision about the TOWER KiwiSaver
Scheme. (2mb)

Check your TOWER KiwiSaver Scheme balance

If you are already a member of the TOWER
KiwiSaver Scheme you can check your balance here.

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Fund performance

Investment into the TOWER KiwiSaver Scheme Funds started on
1 October 2007. See how well they are performing. More.

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