Westpac plan helps protect KiwiSaver savings

Wednesday 30th January 2008

New or risk averse investors experiencing uncertainty over the current market volatility should be aware there is a unique KiwiSaver investment option available that helps protect their capital.

Fiona Oliver, head of BT Funds Management (NZ) Limited, which is the developer and manager of the Westpac KiwiSaver Scheme, says: "The Westpac KiwiSaver Capital Protection Plan is designed to ensure that contributions to each Capital Protection Plan Fund are protected on the maturity of that Fund. We deliberately developed this unique option for people who would be anxious if their savings went down or fluctuated. Importantly, this plan also offers the potential for higher returns through its exposure to shares".

Oliver said, "The Capital Protection Plan involves a series of Capital Protection Plan Funds, opened on October 1 each year. At launch the Funds are invested principally in shares, but may be invested in bank deposits at any time to provide for the capital protection at maturity".

The Westpac KiwiSaver Scheme also offers four other investment options including a Cash Fund, a Conservative Fund, a Balanced Fund and a Growth Fund. Together, these funds cater for members of all risk appetites and, to date, the Scheme has attracted one-fifth of active choice KiwiSaver members.

BT manages and administers around $2.0 billion of funds under management, and provides a wide range of investment options, including funds managed by its own teams as well as alliances with global investment managers. Westpac purchased BT in 2002.

See www.westpac.co.nz/kiwisaver for an investment statement and further information including a personal risk profile.

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