Firesuper - About the Scheme

The interim interest rate for the Main Portfolio has been revised upwards to 3.07 per cent from 17 December 2004 to reflect the after tax and expenses performance of this part of the scheme for the period from 01 April until 30 November 2004.

The interim interest rate for the Cash Portfolio has been increased to 0.56 per cent, to reflect the after tax and expenses performance of the Cash Portfolio from 01 October to 30 November 2004.

The Trustees review both rates on a monthly basis.

Members are reminded the interim interest rate is the interest rate that is paid to members who are closing their membership of the scheme during the financial year.

Members are further reminded that the interim interest rate is included in member account balances provided at the schemeÌs web browser. Go to www.firesuper.co.nz and click on the link 'Access Account Details'.

Investment issues

In Supernews 74 members were advised of the impending investment in Alliance Bernstein. It is now confirmed that 12.5 per cent of the scheme's assets, $ 25.0 million, was transferred to the Alliance Bernstein active offshore equity Fund on 30 December 2004.

Members are also advised that the method of hedging the scheme's passive offshore equity assets changed from October 2004. From that date 88 per cent of these assets have been invested in the AMP SuperWiNZ Fund and 12 per cent are invested in the AMP Hedged Offshore Equity Fund. This decision is expected to save some costs for the scheme.

Independent Trustee

Hutton Peacock was appointed as the scheme's Independent Trustee on 01 April 1997. The Trustees accepted Hutton's retirement from this position, due to ill health, on 01 December 2004.

Sadly Hutton passed away on 24 December 2004 in Wellington.

Scheme members and Trustees have been extremely lucky to have had an Independent Trustee of Hutton's calibre serve them and with them and Hutton's counsel will be sorely missed.

Trustees have commenced a process to appoint an Independent Trustee as soon as practicable.

Prospectus exemption

Members are advised that with the passing of the Securities Amendment Act 2004 the Trustees are no longer required to maintain a current Prospectus. As a consequence of this the Trustees have not maintained a Prospectus since September 2004.

The Trustees have updated the scheme's Investment Statement to take account of the requirements of the new legislation.

The current Investment Statement is available at the scheme's web site at www.firesuper.co.nz by clicking on the 'Investment Statement' link.

Transfers from other schemes

Members or potential members of this scheme who are also members of National Provident Funds are reminded that this scheme accepts transfers from any National Provident Fund scheme.

To finalise a transfer you are required to complete the NPF 'Election to Transfer to another Registered Scheme' form and submit it to this scheme.

Once the transfer has been approved by the Trustees of this scheme and the National Provident Fund Board the funds will be forwarded to this scheme and added to your retirement accumulation as a voluntary contribution able to be accessed from the time you become entitled to a benefit from the scheme.

Any current or prospective member who wishes to know more about this should contact the Secretary to the Trustees at any of the addresses set out on the front page of this Supernews.

Transfers are also accepted from other registered Superannuation schemes by this scheme. Any member wishing to know more about this should also contact the Secretary to the Trustees.

Lost souls

If any member knows the present whereabouts of Aaron Blake, formerly of the Southern Communications Centre, Simon Stevens, formerly of Massey Auckland, or Ronald Arthur, formerly of New Plymouth, could you please ask them to contact the scheme at any of the addresses set out on the front page of this Supernews. Thank you !

Unhappy ?

If you are unhappy with any aspect of the administration of your scheme the Trustees invite you to contact them in the first instance to ascertain if the matter can be resolved to your satisfaction. Obviously if the matter is still not resolved to your satisfaction you can take further action to finalise the matter.

Members are advised that the Trustees adopted a 'Disputes Handling' policy in December 1998 which sets out best practice in relation to disputes or complaints raised by members.

Any member requiring a copy of the policy should contact the Secretary to the Trustees, in the first instance, at any of the addresses set out on the front page of this Supernews.

Trustee contact

Members are advised that the Fire Service recently agreed to allow the scheme to have an e-mail address on the Fire Service computer system.

The scheme's e-mail address in this system is able to be accessed by typing 'NZ Fire Service Superannuation Scheme' into the 'Select Names' box once you have opened your new e-mail message template.

Members are advised that the Fire Service computer system will be accessed less regularly than the scheme's e-mail address listed on the front page of this Supernews and bcdent@ihug.co.nz should always be used in preference.

Members are reminded that they are also able to send an e-mail direct to the Trustees by accessing the web site at www.firesuper.co.nz and clicking on the link that is found at the bottom of each page.

Get your Supernews quicker

If you wish to have your Supernews delivered to you individually by e-mail please supply your e-mail address to the Secretary to the Trustees at any of the addresses set out on the front page of this Supernews.

Given the pace of developing technology and the need to be able to keep in touch with members on a personal level as quickly as possible the Trustees wish to offer this service to more members.

Members are reminded that each edition of Supernews is also available on the scheme's web site at: www.firesuper.co.nz within a few days of publication and posting to members.

A hard copy of Supernews will continue to be posted to all members and Stations irrespective of whether you request an electronic version of Supernews or not.

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BARRY DENT
SCHEME SECRETARY