Retirement Life
6 August 2025
Trust in the Lifetime Retirement Funds
Thousands of Kiwis use Trusts to protect assets, support loved ones, or tidy up their estate planning. And now, those Trusts have a new way to invest.
In response to growing demand, Lifetime Retirement Income is pleased to announce that investments through Trusts are now welcomed across its full suite of retirement funds, including the flagship Lifetime Retirement Income Fund and the Lifetime Invest range of Cash, Conservative, Balanced and Growth funds.
A smart solution, shaped by customer demand
“Many of our clients have Trusts set up for good reasons, whether to protect family assets, fund education for grandchildren, or manage future inheritance risks,” says Ralph Stewart, Lifetime’s founder and managing director.
“They wanted the flexibility to invest through those Trusts, and we’ve listened. This update is about giving our clients more choice and ensuring our solutions match the way they manage their wealth in later life.”
Calculate what you could draw in retirement.
Why do people use Trusts?
Trusts are often used to separate ownership of assets from individuals. For retirees, this can offer several advantages:
· Protecting the family home from potential business failure or personal liability
· Providing for future generations, like setting aside money for grandchildren’s education
· Shielding inheritances to ensure they stay within the family
· Managing estate risks, such as claims from former partners
Whatever the motivation, it’s clear that Trusts continue to play an important role in many retirement plans.
Retirement income made easy: the Lifetime Income Fund
The centrepiece of Lifetime’s offering is the Lifetime Retirement Income Fund, designed for retirees looking to draw down their savings in a steady, sustainable way. It pays out a regular, fortnightly income that’s tax-paid and designed to last for life.
The fund uses a blend of investment returns and a carefully calculated drawdown strategy, helping retirees make the most of their nest egg, without the stress of constantly managing withdrawals themselves.
If you’re keen to get an idea of your potential payments, check out the Lifetime Income Projection Calculator (click to view) on our website.
A range of funds to suit your retirement journey
In addition to the Lifetime Income Fund, Lifetime Invest offers four classic fund styles to suit different goals and risk profiles, whether you’re pursuing a ‘buckets of money’ approach to retirement or still working towards it:
Cash Fund
Designed for liquidity and stability, this fund is ideal for short-term needs or for those who want easy access to their money.
Suggested timeframe: 1+ years | Annual charge: 0.65%
Conservative Fund
A good match for cautious investors, holding around 80% income assets and 20% growth. A focus on capital preservation and low volatility.
Suggested timeframe: 3+ years | Annual charge: 1%
Balanced Fund
A 60/40 split between growth and income assets, this fund strikes a comfortable balance for long-term investors seeking steady performance.
Suggested timeframe: 5+ years | Annual charge: 1%
Growth Fund
With 80% growth assets, this fund is for those with a longer horizon or appetite for higher returns leading up to or in retirement.
Suggested timeframe: 7+ years | Annual charge: 1%
All Lifetime funds come with no set-up fees, no withdrawal costs, and free switching between funds, offering flexibility as your needs change.
More choice, same trusted approach
Whether you’re actively drawing down an income or still growing your nest egg, the ability to invest through a Trust opens new possibilities. You might prefer the convenience of regular income via the Lifetime Income Fund or favour the hands-on flexibility of the Lifetime Invest range. Either way, your Trust can now be part of the plan.
“Retirement isn’t one-size-fits-all,” says Stewart. “At Lifetime, we’re always evolving to meet the needs of real people. Enabling Trust investment is another way we’re making sure Kiwis have the tools they need to retire with confidence.”
Project your retirement income.
To find out more, or to explore which fund might suit you, or your family Trust, visit www.lifetimeincome.co.nz.
Alternatively, you can email our friendly team at: retire@lifetimeincome.co.nz or call us directly for a chat: 0800 254 338
This article is for information purposes only and should not be considered financial advice.
Written by:
Vanessa Glennie
Vanessa is Head of Communications at Lifetime Retirement Income. She’s an experienced investment writer, having spent more than a decade writing about financial markets in the global fund management industry.
Invest with Lifetime for a retirement income managed for living.