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Equity risk versus retirement adequacy: Asset allocation solutions for KiwiSaver

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  • Kirsten L MacDonald
  • Robert J Bianchi
  • Michael E Drew

Abstract

New Zealand's KiwiSaver superannuation system operates with a conservatively low asset allocation towards equity investments. Evidence suggests ‘conservative’ portfolios are riskier than portfolios holding more growth assets when considering shortfall risk. This study employs stochastic simulation to determine the optimal asset allocation to improve the balance of probabilities for retirement adequacy. The findings show that KiwiSaver default funds are excessively conservative, preventing investors from reaching their retirement goals. Increasing the asset allocation to equities across the range of available KiwiSaver funds is the only solution to significantly improve retirement adequacy in New Zealand given the low contribution rates observed.
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Suggested Citation

  • Kirsten L MacDonald & Robert J Bianchi & Michael E Drew, 2014. "Equity risk versus retirement adequacy: Asset allocation solutions for KiwiSaver," Discussion Papers in Finance finance:201402, Griffith University, Department of Accounting, Finance and Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:gri:fpaper:finance:201402
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    KiwiSaver; retirement outcomes; asset allocation;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G11 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Portfolio Choice; Investment Decisions
    • G18 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Government Policy and Regulation
    • J32 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Nonwage Labor Costs and Benefits; Retirement Plans; Private Pensions
    • D14 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Household Saving; Personal Finance

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