Savings helps secure residency
What I have achieved so far with where I now live was possible through our FNPF savings as a couple because we withdrew from both to fund my studies in New Zealand
In 2013, Lusia Ranuku moved to Wellington, New Zealand to pursue a course in business management.
Her studies were funded by her FNPF savings, as well as her husband’s FNPF savings and their personal savings. After she completed her studies, she found a job and not long after, she was able to acquire residency status in New Zealand.
Lusia believes that the qualification she attained from her studies in business management, boosted her chance of becoming a New Zealand resident. The 50 year-old Kanakana, Cakaudrove woman worked in Suva with the Fiji Bureau of Statistics and other organisations before moving to New Zealand.
Having faced many challenges, her ultimate goal was to move to greener pastures, for a better life.
“What I have achieved so far with where I now live was possible through our FNPF savings as a couple because we withdrew from both to fund my studies in New Zealand,” Lusia said. “So our FNPF savings became very useful because without it, I wouldn’t have studied in NZ.
“After completing my studies, I found a job there and then applied for residency status which I got and I have lived in Wellington since.”
Lusia, who recently visited family members in Savusavu has described FNPF as the safest and best financial institution to invest with.
“They have a very good interest rate and now that they’ve opened up to members as young as six years of age, I believe this is the way to go and parents should make good use of this opportunity.”
“Even though we are residents of another country, I remain a Fijian citizen and I only wish, hope and pray that FNPF allows us, Fijians living overseas to continue with FNPF.
“This is in terms of allowing us to continue to invest and hold accounts with them as we can deposit from where we live around the world.”
Lusia believes the FNPF has helped many Fijians get educated, purchase their houses and assisted many affected by natural disasters.
“We Fijians are blessed to have FNPF because it secures our future.”
Early Withdrawal Benefits
FNPF’s early withdrawal benefits allows members to access their general account to fund higher education tuition, stationery and accommodation for members, their parents or children and even their siblings.
It can be used for local and overseas studies, similar to Lusia’s case.
What members’ can access will depend on their general account balance.
The Education Withdrawal form is available on the FNPF website www. myfnpf.com.fj or can be requested via email on information@fnpf.com.fj or at any FNPF branch and agency.
The requirements are listed on the form.
For more information, members can chat with our team through our website or call 5857.
Source: Fiji National Provident Fund