Simplicity Balanced vs Kernel Balanced
Simplicity Balanced is the Balanced Fund in the Simplicity KiwiSaver Scheme; Kernel Balanced is the Kernel Balanced Fund in the Kernel KiwiSaver Plan.
Annual fund charges are 0.24% for Simplicity Balanced and 0.25% for Kernel Balanced.
Simplicity Balanced reports a five-year average annual return of 5.28%, a risk indicator of 4 on the 1 to 7 scale and a fund value of $884 million; Kernel Balanced reports a risk indicator of 4 on the 1 to 7 scale and a fund value of $210 million.
Data as at 30 June 2026, from the FMA Disclose register (quarterly fund updates).
Side-by-side comparison of fees, returns, and risk data
General Information Only: This page provides factual data for comparison purposes and does not constitute financial advice. Individual circumstances vary.Read our disclosure
Key Data Comparison
| Metric | Simplicity Balanced | Kernel Balanced |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Year Average Return | 5.28% | No 5-year average return figure held. Recorded fund start date 7 November 2022 is less than five years before March 2026. |
| Annual Fees | 0.24% | 0.25% |
| Risk Indicator (1-7) | 4 | 4 |
| Growth Assets | 58.66% | 60.13% |
| Fund Type | Balanced | Balanced |
| Provider | Simplicity | Kernel |
| Fund Size | $884.4M | $209.8M |
About “N/A” in return figures: it means no figure is held, not a return of zero. Of the 2 funds listed, 1 has a 5-year average return. Figures are drawn from fund disclosures on the FMA Disclose register, chiefly quarterly fund updates. Each fund shows the most recent figure held; the latest quarter broadly covered across all funds is March 2026. A fund too new to report a period has no figure for it; other gaps are figures not yet captured from the updates ingested so far.
Data sourced from FMA Disclose Register. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future returns.
Historical trend (3 quarters on record)
1-year return over time
Annual after-tax return as published in each FMA Quarterly Fund Update.
Annual fee over time
Total annual fund charges. Persistently lower fees compound to a meaningful difference in member balances.
Quarter-by-quarter observations
Mechanical comparison across the 2 quarters for which both funds have a published Quarterly Fund Update (2026-03-31 to 2026-06-30). Counts only — past performance is not a reliable indicator of future returns.
Simplicity Balanced
Simplicity
Kernel Balanced
Kernel
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the fees for Simplicity Balanced vs Kernel Balanced?
Simplicity Balanced has fees of 0.24% while Kernel Balancedhas fees of 0.25%. Lower fees compound to significant savings over a lifetime of investing.
What is the risk level difference?
Simplicity Balanced has a risk indicator of 4 while Kernel Balancedhas a risk indicator of 4. The risk indicator (1-7 scale) shows expected volatility - higher numbers mean more potential ups and downs.
Can I switch between these funds?
Yes. Switching providers takes 2-3 weeks and is completely free with no penalties. Your new provider handles the paperwork.
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Kernel High Growth vs Milford Active Growth
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Disclaimer: This page provides general information only and does not constitute financial advice under the Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013. FundCompare.co.nz is not a licensed Financial Advice Provider (FAP).
We do not assess suitability, make recommendations, or provide personalised advice. The information shown is sourced from publicly available data and may not reflect current offerings. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future returns. Investment returns can be negative, and you may receive back less than you invested.
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