Growth fund
Long-term real return ~4.5% p.a. Heavy in shares. Volatile year-to-year but historically the strongest 20+ year compound.
30-second projection · No email required
Your KiwiSaver, projected to 65.
A 25-year-old in a default conservative fund typically ends up with around $200,000 less at retirement than the same person in a growth fund. Drop your numbers in, see what you're on track for, and what the difference would be if you changed something.
Why the fund choice matters so much
A 1% return difference compounds into six figures.
Balanced
~3.5% p.a. Mix of shares and bonds. Smoother ride; suits 10-20 year horizons.
Conservative
~2.0% p.a. Mostly bonds and cash. Right for 0-5 year horizons (e.g. first-home withdrawal soon).
Defensive / Cash
~0.8% p.a. Virtually all cash. Designed to preserve value, not grow it. Wrong fund for most people most of the time.
Common questions
What this projector does and doesn't do.
What returns does the projector assume?
Long-term real (after-inflation, after-fee) returns: Growth fund 4.5% p.a., Balanced 3.5% p.a., Conservative 2.0% p.a., Defensive 0.8% p.a. These are illustrative averages drawn from Sorted Smart Investor / FMA data. Real returns will vary year to year.
Does the projector account for fees?
The return assumptions above are net of typical fund fees by type. If your fund has materially higher fees than the median for its type, your real result will be lower than projected. Use the Quote-Fit tool to check your fund's fee vs market median.
What about employer contributions and government top-up?
The projector includes the standard 3% employer contribution (matching your minimum 3% employee contribution). It also adds the annual government $521 contribution (member tax credit) if you contribute at least $1,042/year.
What's the projection in today's money?
Returns shown are real returns (after inflation), so the projected balance is in today's purchasing power. The nominal dollar figure at retirement will be higher.
Want Craig to look at your real KiwiSaver?
A 15-minute call covers fund choice, fee comparison, contribution strategy, and (if relevant) transition planning as you approach access.