KiwiSaver has become a big part of many New Zealanders' financial lives.

Is yours appropriately positioned for your circumstances and goals?

When it comes to getting the most out of KiwiSaver, here are three questions that may be more important than "What's my balance?"

When you're fit and healthy, just living your life, it's easy to assume that things will always remain that way. It can be hard to think about things like insurance, which is designed to help when something unexpected happens.

However, when it comes to sorting insurance cover, this could be the perfect time to do it.

Here are a few things to think about.

Is your mortgage structure working with you to achieve your goals? For lots of us, our home loan is one of the most important financial commitments in our lives.

Have you got the structure of yours right?

Mortgage structure

There's a saying that “life begins at 40” - but should retirement planning wait until then?

If you're in this in-between decade, you might hear some people say that it's too early to worry much about your retirement. Others might try to argue that in fact it's too late to put a useful plan in place.

The good news is that neither of those things are true.

For many of us, the ability to earn an income is what keeps our financial lives running smoothly. However, if you had a period of time during which you couldn't work, what financial expenses would be the most important for you to still be able to pay?

When you have a comprehensive portfolio of insurance protection, you'll have peace of mind that the most important things will be taken care of.

Here are a few things to think about.

Have you been told "no" when you applied for a home loan?

If you're going through the application process, it can be frustrating to be told that your application doesn't meet a lender's criteria, or the lender is not willing to lend as much as you need.

The good news is that a "no" from one lender doesn't necessarily mean a "no" from them all. Advisers are well placed to help you find a solution to keep you moving towards your goal.

Your home loan is something that will probably be part of your life for many years.

For a lot of us, it'll be our largest financial commitment. But while it might be tempting to “set and forget” your mortgage, keeping an eye on it and checking in regularly can really pay off.

Here's what you need to think about.

Most New Zealanders are familiar with KiwiSaver.

You may have had an account for many years, and if you're an employee, you've likely been making contributions from your pay each payday.

Despite this, have you wondered how managed funds that aren't KiwiSaver work?

There are lots of reasons why you might want a new build home. You may have a dream home in mind and want to have it built to fit your exact specifications. You might have the perfect spot of land, and just need to put a house on it. You might just want a brand new place to live.

But what happens when it comes to the home loan?

There are a few key things to know if you're borrowing for a new build.

Recent research by the Retirement Commission has revealed that times are getting tougher for many retirees, highlighting how important it is to have strong financial plans in place for your post-work life.

The research by Te Ara Ahunga Ora Retirement Commission involved over 1450 New Zealanders aged 65 and over.

It found that even having a mortgage-free house to live in was not enough to make life financially comfortable for many retirees. Having other investments, including KiwiSaver, was important, too.

Could you afford to take time off work? Many people have periods in their lives when they are not able to earn their usual income, due to illness or injury.

Having a financial safety net in place can make the difference between whether this is a minor hiccup or a significant setback. Here are a few things you could consider.

What sort of insurance might help?