Simplicity Conservative Investment Fund
Managed by Simplicity Simplicity Conservative Investment Fund is a diversified managed fund operated by Simplicity; PIE-structured; FMA risk indicator 3/7. Headline terms: annual fund charge 0.24% · minimum investment NZ$1 · distributions no distributions (accumulating). Compared with 66 other same-category funds on this site, the 0.24% annual fund charge sits below the same-category median of 0.99%.
PIE tax treatment — capped at your PIR (max 28%)
This fund is a Portfolio Investment Entity (PIE) under Subpart HM of the Income Tax Act 2007. Income is taxed at your Prescribed Investor Rate (10.5% / 17.5% / 28%), not your marginal income-tax rate. The fund manager calculates and pays the tax on your behalf — when your PIR is correct, you usually don't need to declare PIE income in your annual tax return. See our PIR guide and PIE tax basics for the full picture, or use the PIR calculator to confirm your rate.
Annual fund charge
0.25%
vs peer avg 0.89%
Risk indicator
3/7
1 = lower risk · 7 = higher risk
5-year return p.a.
1.78%
peer avg 2.19%
Fund size
NZ$168.8m
23% growth · 77% income
The Conservative Fund target asset allocations are 20% in growth assets and 80% in income assets. Its objective is to minimise negative returns over the short term. It has higher proportions of investment in income assets, such as bonds, while still providing an opportunity for positive real returns over the longer term by investing a small portion of the Fund in growth assets such as shares and unlisted property.
Benchmark track record
Compare Diversified consistency →How Simplicity Conservative Investment Fund performed against its own market-index benchmark each year, after fees and tax — from the FMA fund-update dataset. Historical track record, not current-year performance; past performance is not a guide to the future.
Growth of NZ$10,000
2019–2026, after fees & taxA notional NZ$10,000 compounded by each year's disclosed net return — a track-record trajectory from the FMA fund-update data, not a live unit price. Past performance is not a guide to the future.
NZ$10,000 → NZ$12,557 · to 31 March 2026
Beat its benchmark in 2 of 8 years
annual returns to 31 March 2026Since inception: 1.88% p.a. after fees & tax vs benchmark 2.73%.
How Simplicity Conservative Investment Fund differs
Factual contrasts drawn from the PDS, SIPO and latest portfolio holdings — no opinion.
- Top 3 holdings
- Cash at Bank (10.4%) · Westpac FRN 6 July 2026 (2.5%) · Simplicity Living Ltd Ordinary Shares (1.9%)
- Currency policy
- A market benchmarked approach is taken to managing currency risk. International equities are hedged passively at a 50% benchmark (range 40-60%) and international fixed interest at 100% benchmark (range 95-105%), implemen…
Key facts
Fund start date
3 April 2017
Min. investment
NZ$1
Distributions
No distributions (accumulating)
Tax structure
PIE
Capped at your PIR (max 28%)
Investment policy
From the Statement of Investment Policy and Objectives (SIPO).
Strategic asset allocation ranges
| Asset class | Target | Min | Max |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cash and cash equivalents | 25% | 0% | 35% |
| New Zealand fixed interest | 25% | 15% | 35% |
| International fixed interest | 30% | 20% | 40% |
| Total Income Assets | 80% | 70% | 90% |
| New Zealand equities | 3.5% | 0% | 13.5% |
| Unlisted New Zealand property | 2.5% | 0% | 5% |
| International equities | 14% | 4% | 24% |
| Total Growth Assets | 20% | 10% | 30% |
Responsible-investment approach
A negative screening approach is adopted for all portfolios, based on excluded business activities and behaviour-related exclusions. For overseas investments, external manager DWS applies custom broad-based market indices subject to responsible investment screening overlay.
Derivatives policy
Derivatives are only permitted for forward foreign exchange contracts to hedge currencies and interest rate swaps to hedge interest rate risk of community housing bonds. Derivatives are only used if there is no cost-effective means to gain an essential investment exposure using physical securities.
Reading between the lines
Plain-English summary of the scheme's disclosed conflicts and performance-fee mechanics, drawn from the OMI and PDS. Factual restatement — no opinion.
- Simplicity NZ Limited acknowledges a conflict of interest because investor funds flow from the KiwiSaver and Investment Funds schemes into a Wholesale Scheme managed by its wholly owned subsidiary SIML, creating a related-party investment chain.
- Simplicity discloses that the Property Fund invests exclusively in unlisted shares of Simplicity Living Limited, a company 100% controlled by Simplicity through SIML, meaning the fund has no diversification outside this single related-party asset.
- Simplicity acknowledges that one of its directors sits on the Simplicity Living board and that Simplicity itself sets the valuation model parameters used to price those unlisted shares, combining shareholder representation and valuation control in the same organisation.
- Simplicity states it manages these conflicts through a Conflicts of Interest Policy requiring a certificate confirming all related-party transactions are on an arm's-length basis, comply with investment guidelines, and are in investors' interests.
Generated 2026-05-28 from Simplicity Wholesale Property Fund (Simplicity KiwiSaver Scheme and Simplicity Investment Funds Scheme) OMI (dated 2025-06-24). The verbatim disclosures appear in full below — this summary is a navigation aid, not a substitute.
Scheme disclosures
From the Other Material Information (OMI) document. Scheme-level — applies to every fund in this scheme.
Trustee / Supervisor
Public Trust
Custodian
Simplicity Investment Nominees Limited (nominee for Property Fund's shareholding in Simplicity Living Limited)
Conflicts disclosed
4
In OMI
Conflicts of interest disclosed in OMI
- Simplicity NZ Limited manages the Schemes whose funds invest in the Wholesale Scheme managed by its wholly owned subsidiary SIML, creating a related-party investment relationship.
- The Property Fund invests exclusively in unlisted shares of Simplicity Living Limited, which is an associated person of Simplicity and wholly controlled (100% voting shares) by Simplicity through SIML.
- A Simplicity director sits on the board of Simplicity Living, representing both the shareholder (Property Fund) and underlying investors, while Simplicity also sets the valuation model parameters (including the Standard Development Margin and marketability discount factor) used to value Simplicity Living shares.
- Simplicity has a Conflicts of Interest Policy requiring all related-party transactions between the Schemes and the Wholesale Scheme to be made under a certificate confirming arm's-length basis, compliance with SIPOs and investment guidelines, and that they are in investors' interests.
How this fund compares to peers
Mechanical comparison vs the 67 other diversified funds in our cohort. Source: FMA Disclose register via Sorted Smart Investor. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future returns.
Annual fund charge
0.25%
Category median: 0.99%
Cheaper than 94% of peers
5y return p.a. (after fees)
+1.78%
Category median: +3.27%
Lower than most peers (bottom 20% over period)
Fund size
NZ$168.8m
Category median: NZ$57.5m
71th percentile by AUM
Illustrative 5y fee impact on a sample balance of $10,000
$124
Compounded charge over 5 years (excl. returns)
$361 less than peer median
Read the full fee-vs-peers breakdown →
Mechanical scores only — no opinion or recommendation. Different funds suit different investor goals. ManagedFundsNZ is not a Financial Advice Provider. Read the current PDS and consider speaking to a licensed financial adviser.
Top 10 holdings
As at the latest published quarterly fund update (via Sorted Smart Investor).
| Holding | % of fund |
|---|---|
| $ Cash at Bank | 10.45% |
 Westpac FRN 6 July 2026 | 2.54% |
| SL Simplicity Living Ltd Ordinary Shares | 1.87% |
 Kiwibank FRN 13 June 2028 | 1.70% |
| Kiwibank FRN 15 March 2028 | 1.38% |
| HN Housing NZ 2.247% 5 October 2026 | 1.10% |
| NZ New Zealand govt bond 3.5% 14 April 2033 | 1.03% |
 NVIDIA Corp | 0.91% |
| IB IBRD bond 4.25% 23 July 2032 | 0.85% |
| TT Tax Traders CP 26 June 2026 | 0.82% |
Documents
Every dated PDS, quarterly fund update and full-portfolio holdings file. Linked from the FMA Disclose register via Sorted Smart Investor.
- CONSERVATIVE INVESTMENT FUND (FND4543) Full portfolio holdings 31 March 2026.xlsx Download the full portfolio holdings. XLSX, 4.89 KB
- Product Disclosure Statement Simplicity Investment Funds 1 September 2025.pdf How this investment works, including about the provider, risks, costs and potential returns PDF, 168.18 KB
- Simplicity Conservative Investment Fund update 31 March 2026.pdf The quarterly update published by the provider PDF, 539.49 KB
- Simplicity Wholesale Property Fund OMI 30 June 2025.pdf Wholesale Property Fund other material information 30 June 2025 PDF, 322.79 KB
- Letterto FMA (FMC Exemption Notice 2020)18 August 20.pdf Financial Markets Conduct (Financial Reporting and Other Relief—COVID-19) Exemption Notice 2020 (Exemption Notice) PDF, 239.41 KB
- Other Material Information Simplicity Investment Funds 1 September 2025.pdf Other Material Information PDF, 4.07 MB
- Simplicity Investment Funds Financial Statements&Annual Report 31 March 2017.pdf Letter in lieu of annual report and financial statements PDF, 227.39 KB
- Simplicity Private Equity Valuation Policy Final 250130 v 5.pdf Simplicity Private Equity Valuation Policy PDF, 700.81 KB
- Simplicity Investment Funds 31 March 2026 Register Entry Additional Information First Home Mortgage Fund.pdf Simplicity Investment Funds- 31 December 2025 - Register Entry Additional Information - Fir
- Statement of Investment Policy and Objectives Simplicity Investment Funds 1 May 2026.pdf Statement of investment policy and objectives PDF, 395.98 KB
About this category
Multi-asset funds that hold a mix of shares, bonds, cash and sometimes property in a single portfolio. The mix determines the risk profile — aggressive funds hold more shares, conservative funds hold more bonds and cash.
About Simplicity
Not-for-profit-aligned manager offering low-fee diversified and single-asset PIE funds; donates 15% of fees to charity.
See all funds from Simplicity →Common questions
Questions people ask about Simplicity Conservative Investment Fund
Drawn from Google's "People also ask" panel and answered with reference to the fund's filed PDS, Fund Update and FMA Disclose data. Not personal financial advice — for guidance specific to your situation, consult an authorised financial adviser.
How safe is Simplicity?
Safety in managed funds relates to risk level and capital preservation. The Simplicity Conservative Investment Fund has a risk indicator of 3 out of 7 on the FMA standardised scale, meaning it carries moderate-to-lower risk, with approximately 76.63% of assets in income assets and 23.37% in growth assets. Fund safety also depends on the fund manager's custodial arrangements and regulatory compliance; check the current Product Disclosure Statement and FMA Disclose register for full details.
Is Simplicity a good investment fund?
Whether this fund suits your circumstances depends on your risk tolerance, time horizon, and financial goals. The Simplicity Conservative Investment Fund returned 1.78% p.a. after fees and before tax over the last 5 years (as at the latest Quarterly Fund Update), with an annual fund charge of 0.25% p.a.—significantly below the peer-cohort average of 0.89% p.a. for conservative funds. Compare this fund's features, returns, fees, and risk profile against your own requirements and other options on managedfunds.nz.
Should I switch to conservative fund?
A decision to switch to a conservative fund depends on your personal risk tolerance, investment timeframe, and financial circumstances—factors only you and a financial adviser can assess. Conservative funds typically suit investors nearing or in retirement, or those prioritising capital preservation over growth; the Simplicity Conservative Investment Fund's 3/7 risk indicator and income-focused asset mix (76.63%) reflect this positioning. For personalised guidance, consult a licensed financial adviser or read the fund's Product Disclosure Statement.
What are the alternatives to Simplicity?
Alternatives to the Simplicity Conservative Investment Fund within the conservative diversified category are listed and comparable on managedfunds.nz; you can filter by risk level, fees, returns, and other criteria to review options. For a current list of conservative funds and their key features, visit the fund comparison tools on this site.
Head-to-head
Compare Simplicity Conservative Investment Fund with…
Side-by-side numbers — fees, returns, risk, fund size, asset mix.
Peer funds
Other Diversified funds
Same manager
Other funds by Simplicity
- Simplicity Unhedged Global Share FundInternational Equities
- Simplicity Hedged Global Share FundInternational Equities
- Simplicity NZ Share FundAustralasian Equities
FMA risk band
Same risk band (3/7)
See every NZ retail managed fund with the same standardised FMA risk indicator. Useful for peer-checking volatility-comparable funds outside this category.
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Frequently asked questions
Mechanical Q&A grounded in the fund's PDS, SIPO, and latest QFU on the FMA Disclose register. Verify against the source before relying on any of this.
Who manages the Simplicity Conservative Investment Fund?
Simplicity Conservative Investment Fund is managed by Simplicity. Not-for-profit-aligned manager offering low-fee diversified and single-asset PIE funds; donates 15% of fees to charity.
What asset class is the Simplicity Conservative Investment Fund?
It is a diversified managed fund. The fund has a conservative risk profile. Multi-asset funds that hold a mix of shares, bonds, cash and sometimes property in a single portfolio. The mix determines the risk profile — aggressive funds hold more shares, conservative funds hold more bonds and cash.
What are the fees for the Simplicity Conservative Investment Fund?
The annual fund charge for the Simplicity Conservative Investment Fund is 0.25% p.a., as reported in the latest Quarterly Fund Update sourced from the FMA Disclose register. Always check the current PDS for any additional fees.
What is the risk indicator for the Simplicity Conservative Investment Fund?
The risk indicator is 3/7 on the standardised FMA-mandated scale, where 1 is lower risk and 7 is higher risk. The risk indicator is calculated from the fund's price volatility over the past five years and is published in every Quarterly Fund Update.
Is the Simplicity Conservative Investment Fund a PIE fund?
Yes. The Simplicity Conservative Investment Fund is structured as a New Zealand Portfolio Investment Entity (PIE). Investor tax on the fund's income is capped at the investor's Prescribed Investor Rate (PIR), which has a maximum of 28%. Most NZ-resident retail investors with a taxable income at or below NZ$48,000 qualify for a lower PIR.
How big is the Simplicity Conservative Investment Fund?
Fund size (assets under management) is NZ$169 million as at the latest Quarterly Fund Update. Asset mix is approximately 23% growth assets and 77% income assets.
What does the Simplicity Conservative Investment Fund invest in?
The latest published top holdings are: Cash at Bank (10.45%), Westpac FRN 6 July 2026 (2.54%), Simplicity Living Ltd Ordinary Shares (1.87%). Holdings are disclosed in each Quarterly Fund Update; the full portfolio holdings file is also available via the FMA Disclose register.
How can I invest in the Simplicity Conservative Investment Fund?
The Simplicity Conservative Investment Fund is available via Simplicity directly. Always read the current Product Disclosure Statement before investing.
How safe is Simplicity?
Safety in managed funds relates to risk level and capital preservation. The Simplicity Conservative Investment Fund has a risk indicator of 3 out of 7 on the FMA standardised scale, meaning it carries moderate-to-lower risk, with approximately 76.63% of assets in income assets and 23.37% in growth assets. Fund safety also depends on the fund manager's custodial arrangements and regulatory compliance; check the current Product Disclosure Statement and FMA Disclose register for full details.
Is Simplicity a good investment fund?
Whether this fund suits your circumstances depends on your risk tolerance, time horizon, and financial goals. The Simplicity Conservative Investment Fund returned 1.78% p.a. after fees and before tax over the last 5 years (as at the latest Quarterly Fund Update), with an annual fund charge of 0.25% p.a.—significantly below the peer-cohort average of 0.89% p.a. for conservative funds. Compare this fund's features, returns, fees, and risk profile against your own requirements and other options on managedfunds.nz.
Should I switch to conservative fund?
A decision to switch to a conservative fund depends on your personal risk tolerance, investment timeframe, and financial circumstances—factors only you and a financial adviser can assess. Conservative funds typically suit investors nearing or in retirement, or those prioritising capital preservation over growth; the Simplicity Conservative Investment Fund's 3/7 risk indicator and income-focused asset mix (76.63%) reflect this positioning. For personalised guidance, consult a licensed financial adviser or read the fund's Product Disclosure Statement.
What are the alternatives to Simplicity?
Alternatives to the Simplicity Conservative Investment Fund within the conservative diversified category are listed and comparable on managedfunds.nz; you can filter by risk level, fees, returns, and other criteria to review options. For a current list of conservative funds and their key features, visit the fund comparison tools on this site.