Cream on top

Kia ora, Most of you will know me as Angus McConnell, the recently retired Assistant Secretary of the Dairy Workers Union (DWU). After leaving school and completing a panel beaters apprenticeship, I spent the rest of my working life – 45 years – as a DWU member working in the Dairy Industry.

I have worked at Te Poi, Hautapu and Morrinsville Dairy Factories before becoming a DWU Organiser and then Assistant Secretary. The Dairy Industry has provided me a great working life, good workmates and secure jobs with good wages and conditions. In my opinion, from my own experience and that of many other Dairy Workers, the single biggest and best benefit available to us is DISS (the Dairy Industry Superannuation Scheme).

I have not heard of any other Scheme in New Zealand (for ordinary workers) that is better than DISS, where if you put in 6% of your income, the employer puts in 9% and on top of that you get access to a Death and Disability Insurance of 3x your last years’ income. I, like most kiwis, would not have saved as much as I have done or got Life Insurance without access to DISS. It has provided my family and I peace of mind during my working life through access to Life Insurance. And, now in our retirement years we have a very healthy nest egg to pursue a few of our favourite pastimes like boating, fishing and travel; and to live out our retirement in relative comfort.

Believe me – the Government provided pension is a great thing, but DISS is the cream on top! If you have access to DISS – join! Check you are covered by DISS insurance and make a Will. It only seems like yesterday I was 20 – and today I’m 65 and enjoying retirement! Angus