Most children and teenagers do not care about KiwiSaver.
They do not wake up thinking about retirement. They are not interested in balanced funds, market returns, or long-term investing strategies. And honestly, most adults did not care much either at that age.
But something powerful has happened in New Zealand over the last 20 years.
Because more people have invested through KiwiSaver and pension schemes, we have quietly become more financially capable as a nation.
People who once avoided financial conversations now understand markets, inflation, risk, and long-term thinking. We have learned that money grows over time. We have experienced uncertainty, market downturns, recoveries, and the importance of staying invested. We have seen that investing is not gambling, it is participation in long-term growth.
That learning matters.
The Retirement Commission often talks about four important pillars of financial wellbeing: growth of money, resilience, education, and collective impact.
Anglican Financial Care’s Pension Fund, Christian KiwiSaver Scheme and The Retire Fund touch all four.
Growth of money teaches us that wealth is often built steadily rather than instantly. Small, consistent contributions over time can have life-changing outcomes.
Resilience comes from having something behind you. Savings and investments create breathing room during difficult times and help reduce financial stress when life changes unexpectedly.
Education happens naturally through participation. People begin asking questions. They become more engaged with their finances, more aware of economic events, and more confident making decisions.
And collective impact matters because financially capable communities are stronger communities. Families with healthy money habits often pass those habits down. Conversations create confidence. Confidence creates action.
But here is the challenge.
Many of us still do not talk openly about money.
We discuss sport, politics, work, and the weather, yet many families never discuss investing, budgeting, or financial goals around the dinner table. Church groups often talk about service and wellbeing but avoid conversations about financial capability, even though money stress affects relationships, mental health, and future opportunities.
That needs to change.
The next generation will not magically become financially confident on their own. They learn from what they see, hear, and experience around them.
So perhaps the most important investment we can make is not only into our Pension Fund, Retire Fund or KiwiSaver account, but into conversations.
- Talk to your children or nephews and nieces about investing.
- Talk to your grandchildren about money habits.
- Share your mistakes as well as your successes.
- Discuss what you have learned through market ups and downs.
- Encourage younger people to engage early, even if retirement feels distant.
You do not need to be a financial expert to start the conversation. You simply need to be willing.
Financial capability grows through normal conversations repeated over time.
An investment is more than just retirement.
It is education.
It is resilience.
It is confidence.
And it is an opportunity to help shape a financially stronger generation for New Zealand.
Reflection questions:
- How has investing changed your understanding of money?
- What financial lessons are younger generations learning from you?
- When was the last time you had an open conversation about money with your family or community?
The above information is for information purposes only and is not financial advice. Past returns are not a guarantee of future returns. We recommend you seek advice from a licensed financial advice provider when making decisions about your investments.
📩 Christian KiwiSaver Scheme, The Retire Fund, and the New Zealand Anglican Church Pension Fund are managed and issued by The New Zealand Anglican Church Pension Board (trading as Anglican Financial Care). The Product Disclosure Statements can be found here: https://angfincare.nz/news-and-knowhow/forms-and-documents/