A combination of Kiwis living longer and large numbers of baby boomers retiring in the next two decades means the country needs to consider a new retirement option, warns the Financial Services Council.

Metlifecare's $216m merger with two other retirement village operators has been approved in a report prepared by indepdendent assessors.

Study finds 45 per cent of respondents have done very little to prepare for retirement.

Ryman Healthcare may seek a listing on the ASX as it looks across the Tasman to extend a decade of profit growth.

Shares in Christchurch-based retirement village operator Ryman Healthcare have jumped by 5.2pc after it reported a record $84m profit.

Retirement village operator Ryman Healthcare has posted its 10th successive annual profit increase.

Mark Twain said: "It ain't what you don't know that gets you in trouble. It's what you know for sure that just ain't so."

One institution prepares to launch a KiwiSaver scheme, another admits defeat .

I'm not claiming any prescient powers but my blog last week postulating the need for a benchmark retirement cost survey was ahead of its time.