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Born between ’81 and ’96?
I get it, you’re super busy! I know because I’m juggling it too: a career, family, a mortgage (or two), maybe a business, and everything in between. The fact that you’re reading this right now is GREAT, because a lot of the time our generation is TBRL! When you’re stuck in the weeds of the daily grind, retirement can feel like a distant thought. But the truth is, as we approach midlife, retirement is on the horizon for the first time, and it’s time to act if you haven’t already.
Fun fact: TL;DR (short for “too long, didn’t read”) was coined by Gen X early internet users and made popular by Millennials.
A TL;DR version of an article contains a highlight summary for busy people (aka. Millennials!)
So, here’s the key TL;DR takeaway you need to know:
- The next 25 years will fly by.
- You need a retirement strategy in place now.
- What you do TODAY will make a huge difference for your future lifestyle.
You’ve already made some great moves, maybe you’ve bought your first home or even a second property. You might have some money in KiwiSaver, a managed fund, or a business. That’s a solid foundation and gives you an asset base to work from.
If you don’t own property, don’t fret. Kiwis really love their property, but property is only one way to invest!
Having a good base is a great start and will help in the future. This is important because what we know from research and media headlines is that NZ Super alone won’t be enough to support the kind of retirement most of us aspire to. Research shows that even a “no-frills” retirement can be tight, especially if you’re still renting or paying off a mortgage after your income stops.
Massey University has released a 2025 research paper with some important numbers to know:
“To bridge the gap between NZ Super and a comfortable lifestyle ($790/week), a single person may need savings of up to $273,000.”
“To maintain a comfortable lifestyle ($1,780/week), a couple may need to save over $1 million by retirement.”
(Note: In retirement, these savings need to be liquid, i.e. easily accessible to pay bills, not tied up in property.)
That’s why now, in our early thirties to mid-forties, is the perfect time to get strategic.
Now I hear you say, “Well, that’s a nice idea, but what about the cost of living?”
Many of us in or approaching midlife are especially financially squeezed as we look after family, mortgages, and business. This is the most expensive time of our lives. How can we save?
It’s not just about squirrelling money away or pouring it all into one asset (like your house). A solid retirement strategy transcends saving. It’s about making your money work for you and grow itself, through smart investing, leveraging equity, reducing risk, and building income streams that support your lifestyle goals. You can make smart financial decisions whether you have $10, or $100.
A solid retirement strategy transcends saving.
From a financial planning perspective, here are a few key areas that will help you build long-term financial confidence over the next 20-30 years:
After using it for your first home, many people forget to reassess their fund. If you’ve still got 20+ years until retirement, a growth or aggressive fund could help you make the most of that time.
If you already own one or two properties, think about how they fit into your long-term plan. Will they be income-generating in retirement? Could you use equity to invest further?
These can complement property, offering flexibility and access to your money before age 65, especially useful if you’re aiming to retire early or need more liquid funds.
Make sure your greatest assets are insured, e.g. your income, your property, your health.
Ensure your wealth goes where you want it to go through Wills, RPAs, etc.
Retirement isn’t just about hitting financial targets. It’s about the life you want to lead, and that can feel exciting to plan for. Do you want to travel? Help your kids? Downsize? Your plan should reflect what matters most to you.
Now is the best time to maximise your income. Be brave and ask for that pay rise or promotion.
Use a budgeting tool to track and control your expenses (we all have way too many streaming subscriptions!!)
As an adviser, I see daily the difference these steps make, transforming a retirement from “no-frills” to “choice.” It’s worth starting a conversation.
Financial planning doesn’t have to be overwhelming. A conversation with a financial adviser (like me) can help you see the big picture, identify opportunities, and create a plan that works for your life, whether you’re partnered, solo, DINK or DINKWAD, or somewhere in between!
Millennials are the biggest users of chatbots for everything! Half to two-thirds of consumers now use AI chatbots for financial advice, and a majority act on it, with many reporting positive outcomes for general financial queries. However, 20–50% experience mistakes or losses, underscoring the importance of verification and human oversight.
My take: Chatbots are useful for general financial questions and can boost your confidence by making financial ideas and education more accessible. That said, AI can still make mistakes (often with total conviction) and it isn’t regulated or backed by safeguards. While it’s a handy tool and can feel like a helpful partner, it shouldn’t replace a financial adviser. Just as you wouldn’t trust a chatbot to act as your therapist or lawyer, it’s best not to risk your financial wellbeing with an unqualified, unregulated system known for occasionally getting things wrong (not to mention, hallucinating!!!).
It’s never too late to start planning for your retirement, but the earlier you do, the more options you’ll have, and your future self will thank you!
Giovana.
Hola, I’m Giovana, and I am a Client Services Manager but also a Financial Adviser here at Velocity. I have 12 years of experience in the industry and one of my passions is to bring excellent customer service, I like to deliver the best experience to our clients and make processes as smooth as possible, to give them the service that I would like to receive. In my outside work life, I am a mum of 2 girls and love dancing, especially Peruvian cultural dances.
Disclaimer: Giovana Paulin (FSP1007277) is a Financial Adviser with Velocity Financial (FSP95466). No financial decision should be taken based on the information in this blog alone. Please see our disclosure statement on our website.
The information shared in this post is meant to be general guide to support you on your journey. When making important decisions about your finances, we encourage you to seek independent financial advice first, tailored to your unique situation. As well as talking with a financial adviser, make sure you talk to your lawyer and accountant too – together they'll help you find the best solution for your specific situation. Our knowledgeable financial advisers are here to help. Check out our website for the details about our financial advisory services in our disclosures https://www.velocityfinancial.co.nz/disclosure-statement.