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How KiwiSaver works and why it's worth joining

Reading time: 11 minutes

KiwiSaver is a voluntary savings scheme set up by the government to help New Zealanders to save for their retirement.

It's an easy and affordable way to save and invest for our retirement years. Most of us can benefit from joining KiwiSaver, if we haven’t already.

Employees can choose to contribute 3%, 4%, 6%, 8% or 10% of your gross (before tax) wage or salary to our KiwiSaver account.

Employers are required to contribute close to 3% of your gross salary if you contribute.

There’s an annual government contribution as well, even if you're not an employee – as much as $521 each year until you're 65.

Your savings are invested on your behalf by the KiwiSaver provider of your choice. If you don’t choose a provider, Inland Revenue will assign you to a default KiwiSaver fund that can be a good solution for you.

In this guide

How does KiwiSaver work?

KiwiSaver funds come in five basic types

How to move your KiwiSaver fund

When it’s time to withdraw your money

Why you want to take advantage of KiwiSaver

FAQs

How KiwiSaver works and why it's worth joining

KiwiSaver is a voluntary savings scheme set up by the government to help New Zealanders to save for their retirement.

It's an easy and affordable way to save and invest for our retirement years. Most of us can benefit from joining KiwiSaver, if we haven’t already.

Employees can choose to contribute 3%, 4%, 6%, 8% or 10% of your gross (before tax) wage or salary to our KiwiSaver account.

Employers are required to contribute close to 3% of your gross salary if you contribute.

There’s an annual government contribution as well, even if you're not an employee – as much as $521 each year until you're 65.

How does KiwiSaver work?

A KiwiSaver fund is more than just a savings account. It's similar to what we call a managed fund. Your fund manager invests your KiwiSaver savings on your behalf, which means your savings also earn returns over time.

Your KiwiSaver grows with:

Your automatic contributions
Employer contributions of close to 3% on top of your pay
Government contributions (up to $521 every year!)
Investment returns from all the contributions being invested for you by your KiwiSaver provider
Any additional money you choose to put in. You can make voluntary contributions – lump sums or regular automatic payments – at any time, either directly to your KiwiSaver provider or through Inland Revenue.

If you’re 18 or over and start a new job you’ll be automatically enrolled in KiwiSaver (with some exceptions). And that’s typically a good thing!

You can use KiwiSaver to save for a first home

When buying your first home you may be able to make a one-off withdrawal of most of your KiwiSaver savings – as long as you’ve been a KiwiSaver member for at least three years. You also may even qualify if you have owned property previously.

The KiwiSaver calculator can help you find out how much you're on track to save for your first home.

In addition to a KiwiSaver savings withdrawal, there’s also the First Home Grant. If eligible, the government may also give you up to $5,000 towards buying an older, existing home, or up to $10,000 towards buying a new home or land to build a new home on.

Visit the Kāinga Ora website for more information.

You can use KiwiSaver to save for retirement

If using KiwiSaver to save for retirement, you can’t touch your money until the age you get New Zealand Superannuation (NZ Super) which is currently 65. Note that KiwiSaver is open to those over 65 to join as well.

Find out how much you're on track to save for your retirement using the KiwiSaver calculator.

KiwiSaver funds come in five basic types

We’ve grouped the hundreds of KiwiSaver funds into five types to make things easier. Once you find which is right for you, it’s much simpler to find a fund of that type.

Each fund holds a mix of investments, and which type they fit into is based on how much of the more risky stuff, like shares and commercial property, is in the mix. The more risk you take on, the more potential you have for better results, but your balance will have more ups and downs along the way.

Depending on how long you are investing for, and your attitude towards the ups and downs that can happen with investing, one type of fund will work particularly well for your situation.

How to move your KiwiSaver fund

Find out your KiwiSaver provider

There are a number of private KiwiSaver providers, like big banks or smaller niche players, who manage the schemes.

Not sure who yours is? It's not hard to find out.

Contact Inland Revenue and if you’re a member, they will have your details on file. Call 0800 KIWISAVER or log in to My KiwiSaver to find out your provider.

Choose the right KiwiSaver fund

You can choose the KiwiSaver scheme your savings are invested with or let your employer or the government choose one for you.

KiwiSaver schemes are run by ‘providers’ like banks and investment companies and typically have a number of funds to choose from.

Each fund has a different mix of things it invests in – such as bank deposits, bonds, shares and property. Find out which type of fund is right for you in this guide on How to pick your KiwiSaver fund.

Make the switch when you're sure

It’s easy to change funds in KiwiSaver, but it’s not always the best idea. Before switching, compare fees, fund performance and the services offered by providers using the KiwiSaver fund finder. Your reasons for changing KiwiSaver funds should be based on building your long-term balance.

If you'd like some professional advice, speak to a financial adviser who specialises in KiwiSaver.

When you're ready to make the big switch, get in touch with your new KiwiSaver fund provider – they'll help you through the steps to move your savings over to the new fund.

Switching KiwiSaver funds is about as simple as switching mobile phone companies. But it’s not always a good idea – step 2 of the 6 steps will help you to make sure you’re in the fund that works best for you.

When it’s time to withdraw your money

After you reach 65, you become eligible to take all or some of your contributions, your employer’s contributions, the government's contributions, plus returns. In short, the whole thing.

How fast you open the tap is up to you: keep it off for now and leave your money invested in KiwiSaver, open it slightly to drip-feed some income, or open it right up to spend or invest the entire amount (although you may not be able to rejoin KiwiSaver if you draw it down entirely).

There’s no rush – you can leave your money where it is while you work through all the issues and decide. For example, if you want to make regular withdrawals, there may be a minimum amount required or some fees.

It may be worth talking with a financial adviser about your financial needs and risks, and work out the best course of action to reach your goals. Find out how to find a financial adviser in our guide.

Contact your KiwiSaver provider directly to find out what’s involved and to make arrangements.

What if I’m still working?

You can still keep your KiwiSaver account open and growing. Your employer can choose to keep contributing, although they don’t have to. The government will no longer pay its contribution though, since you're typically eligible for NZ Super.

Why you want to take advantage of KiwiSaver

The question of KiwiSaver is less ‘why’ and more ‘why not?’ – because of the benefits it offers.

KiwiSaver contributions come out of your pay before you see it. This makes saving easy.
If employed, your employer has to contribute at least 3% of your gross wage or salary into your KiwiSaver account. That’s on top of your own contributions.
The government pays into your KiwiSaver account as well – an annual government contribution (if you are a contributing member aged 18 or over) of up to $521.
As well as saving for retirement, you can also use KiwiSaver for buying your first home through a KiwiSaver HomeStart grant and home purchase withdrawal.
If you change jobs or leave the workforce your KiwiSaver account moves with you.
If you experience hardship it is possible to access the funds in your account early.
It is generally a lower-cost option to invest in managed funds.

Who can join KiwiSaver?

To be able to join KiwiSaver you don’t have to be employed, but you do have to be:

A New Zealand citizen, or entitled to live in New Zealand indefinitely.
Living or normally living in New Zealand.

Find out more about who can and can't join KiwiSaver on the Inland Revenue KiwiSaver website.

How can I join KiwiSaver?

There are three ways to join KiwiSaver:

Automatic enrolment when starting a new job
Opting in through your employer
Opting in through a KiwiSaver provider

Self-employed? Not currently working? Not a problem – just contact a KiwiSaver provider to sign up and arrange a regular contribution amount. For a list of KiwiSaver providers, see the Inland Revenue KiwiSaver website.

Also, find out more about how to join KiwiSaver on the Inland Revenue KiwiSaver website.

Is it bad to be in a KiwiSaver default fund?

No, not necessarily. In fact, from 1 December, there will be more advantages to staying in one than there were before: they'll exclude investments in fossil fuels and illegal weapons, cost significantly less than other funds, have a balanced investment mix (instead of conservative), and offer a high level of service to their members. But since balanced funds are not right for everyone, default funds won't be either. To make your choice of whether to be in a default fund, first find out which type of KiwiSaver fund will work best for you.

Are KiwiSaver funds guaranteed?

KiwiSaver is not guaranteed by the government. It is, however, administered by Inland Revenue, which helps make sure it works properly, and overseen by the Financial Markets Authority, which makes sure KiwiSaver companies behave themselves and do right by you. It's important to remember that KiwiSaver providers are private companies, like any bank we use. Here are more KiwiSaver facts.

Is it hard to switch my KiwiSaver?

No, it’s easy as – about the same as switching your mobile or power provider, actually. You let your new company know you want to move to them, and they do all the work behind the scenes. There are two ways of switching with KiwiSaver: staying with your provider but moving to one of their other funds, or moving to a new provider. There are good reasons to switch, such as when you're getting closer to the time you plan to start spending your KiwiSaver money, on a first home or in retirement. But there are also bad reasons to switch, such as because you heard about some other fund doing better than yours. Here's why.

Are KiwiSaver withdrawals taxed?

No. When you take out your KiwiSaver money, either for a first home, financial hardship, or to use to live on in retirement, that money is tax-free. Your KiwiSaver contributions are made after your income has been taxed, and the gains from your investments that you own in KiwiSaver are taxed as well. But when you withdraw for a first home or retirement at age 65, there is no tax to pay. It's your money to use. To withdraw your KiwiSaver money, contact your provider directly.

What is the tax rate on KiwiSaver?

There are three prescribed investor rates (PIR) in KiwiSaver: 10.5%, 17.5%, or 28%. It helps to make sure your rate is correct so you're not paying more tax than you should be. If your income is sometimes or always less than $48,000 each year, you may be paying too much tax in KiwiSaver. It's simple to correct this: just contact your KiwiSaver provider directly and let them know.

Who gets my KiwiSaver if I die?

Your KiwiSaver money is much like everything else you own – when you die it becomes part of your estate and is distributed according to the instructions you leave in your will. It's important to have a will drawn up just in case. Without a will the government will use a set formula to split up your assets – and this might not be what you would have wanted. To make sure your wishes are followed, particularly with your KiwiSaver, here's more about wills.

Where can I go for more help?

Inland Revenue KiwiSaver website: Everything there is to know about the KiwiSaver scheme
Housing New Zealand website: Using KiwiSaver to help buy a first home
Investment advice: Talk to a KiwiSaver provider or an authorised financial adviser about the investment options on offer.
Financial Markets Authority website: KiwiSaver regulations and international transfer information

Can I opt out of KiwiSaver?

If automatically enrolled, you can ‘opt out’ (leave KiwiSaver), but only between 2 and 8 weeks of starting a job. Once you join you have to contribute for at least 12 months. (If you’re 18 or younger and have been incorrectly enrolled, you can still opt out through Inland Revenue.)

You can choose to ‘opt in’ (join KiwiSaver) at any time – although once you do, you can't opt out –either through your employer or through a KiwiSaver provider.

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How KiwiSaver works and why it's worth joining

Reading time: 11 minutes

In this guide

How KiwiSaver works and why it's worth joining

How does KiwiSaver work?

If you’re 18 or over and start a new job you’ll be automatically enrolled in KiwiSaver (with some exceptions). And that’s typically a good thing!

You can use KiwiSaver to save for a first home

You can use KiwiSaver to save for retirement

KiwiSaver funds come in five basic types

How to move your KiwiSaver fund

Find out your KiwiSaver provider

Choose the right KiwiSaver fund

Make the switch when you're sure

Switching KiwiSaver funds is about as simple as switching mobile phone companies. But it’s not always a good idea – step 2 of the 6 steps will help you to make sure you’re in the fund that works best for you.

When it’s time to withdraw your money

What if I’m still working?

Why you want to take advantage of KiwiSaver

FAQs

Who can join KiwiSaver?

How can I join KiwiSaver?

Is it bad to be in a KiwiSaver default fund?

Are KiwiSaver funds guaranteed?

Is it hard to switch my KiwiSaver?

Are KiwiSaver withdrawals taxed?

What is the tax rate on KiwiSaver?

Who gets my KiwiSaver if I die?

Where can I go for more help?

Can I opt out of KiwiSaver?

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