Maximising retirement savings through voluntary contributions

Nic Bird is a Senior Firefighter at the Rotorua Fire Station and has been a member of the FireSuper Scheme since 2016.

As I moved up the ranks and received pay rises, I saw an opportunity to keep living on the same income and invest the extra pay into the Scheme through voluntary contributions. I was impressed with how the Scheme had performed, so chose to put my additional income into it, rather than KiwiSaver or other investment options. Compared to KiwiSaver, I found the Scheme more comparable to the Australian super scheme I used to invest in when living and working on the other side of the ditch.

As I moved up the ranks and received pay rises, I saw an opportunity to keep living on the same income and invest the extra pay into the Scheme through voluntary contributions. I was impressed with how the Scheme had performed, so chose to put my additional income into it, rather than KiwiSaver or other investment options. Compared to KiwiSaver, I found the Scheme more comparable to the Australian super scheme I used to invest in when living and working on the other side of the ditch.

While I don’t have a concrete plan for my retirement, I aim to be in a position to stop working at 55 and have enough saved to enjoy a comfortable retirement lifestyle. In terms of future savings goals, I want to improve our living situation by upgrading our family home, and I’d love to be financially secure enough to support my children in purchasing their own homes when they are older.

When I’m not on duty, I love being active and spending time with my partner and two young boys in Aotearoa’s great outdoors. I am grateful for the opportunity to save for my future, and the Scheme plays a crucial role in helping me achieve my savings goals.

This information has been prepared by Mercer (N.Z.) Limited for general information only. The information does not take into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs.

16 November 2023