New Zealand Retirement Guide

Though I won’t know what retirement is about for some time yet I now feel armed and ready to start making some decisions, thanks to Hawes’ well-written, thoughtful, practical guide. Martin Hawes, best-selling finance writer, believes Kiwis do not think about retirement until it is staring them down, aged 64, 65. This book opens with the sage advice that “retirement can be anything you want or, at least, can afford”.

Written with baby-boomers in mind, obviously, the New Zealand Retirement Guide is a handy check-list and fact-sheet of the ins and outs that must be contemplated.

Using case studies and practical examples Hawes’ book works for those contemplating retirement – or wishing to plan ahead – and it’s also helpful, I’m sure, for retirees wanting to plan a next step, be it saving for a holiday or lifestyle purchase, securing the future, reworking a budget to suit.

With 22 books related to personal finance behind him, Martin Hawes is a trustworthy voice, an expert on the subject and he uses simple language to break down budgeting, explain investment and managed funds; there’s no threat of scary jargon or daunting language. It’s clear, made easy and Hawes’ guiding hand also provides, where relevant, internet links and key places to visit online.

We’re getting older, living longer, retirement can now last into three decades – so it’s not something to approach with a hit-and-hope attitude. And with this book there’s no need to be scared, nor uninformed. Everything you need to know about planning your future is here. Retirement is about realising dreams, about planning to live in a way where you can do all those things you never apparently had time for. Retirement offers you that time, but you need to have the money and organisation of funds to offer to retirement.

Martin Hawes has thought of everything – at least as far as I can tell. Sure, the book will be updated by the time I need it but I’ll be going back to this trusted voice. And it already has me thinking about what I need to plan and how I’m going to do it. That’s a start.

I recommend the New Zealand Retirement Guide as the resource for you for when you decide it’s time to start thinking about retirement – or if you’re there already and have a sense of panic about you, or some concern for what to do next this is your book. It would make a great gift idea too.