KiwiSaver Overview

We know that a large number of New Zealanders (around 70%) have had no proper advice when signing up, do not know who their provider is, or are not contributing enough or nothing at all. This means they are potentially missing out on thousands of dollars towards their first home deposits or hundreds of thousands towards their retirement. Many Kiwis don’t take the time to plan for their retirement and we think that it is important to start thinking about it earlier rather than closer to retirement age.

We believe a good retirement plan is essential, not just for the future, but as part of your life plan for now. Statistics tell us there is a good chance that you will live a lot longer than 65. Life expectancy in New Zealand is currently 88 years for women and 86 years for men*. This means there there are 20+ years you need to plan for and ensure your money works for you when you are no longer working.

At retirement age, a married couple who both qualify for NZ Super will receive $652 weekly, or around $34,000 per annum. Compared to what you might be capable of earning today, you will agree that this is not a lot of money to live on. You’ll need to think about your expected cost of living, plus any extras such as travel, upgrading the car or spending on the grandchildren.

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Do you currently have an active KiwiSaver fund?

Whether you are looking to set up a new fund, withdraw funds for a first home deposit, or you are ready to look at retirement options, we can advise you of your best options. The right KiwiSaver plan and provider could net you a lot more savings over time.

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First Home Buyers

A KiwiSaver first home grant may be just the key to open the door to your first home. If eligible, you may be able to withdraw most of your existing savings to put towards your deposit.

Retirement

Set yourself up for a dream retirement with a well thought out KiwiSaver retirement plan from our advisors. Regardless of your age, it’s never too early to start planning for life beyond the years you are earning.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you are living or normally live in New Zealand and are a New Zealand citizen (or entitled to permanent residence), you will be able to join KiwiSaver. This applies even if you are not currently working.
If you are employed, the minimum contribution is 3% of your gross salary or wages. If not employed, there is no minimum initial investment and the Scheme does not have a minimum ongoing contribution.
You can use what is known as the First Home Buyer Withdrawal. This allows you to apply to withdraw all or part of your KiwiSaver funds to use towards the purchase of your first home. If you have been a KiwiSaver member for at least three years, have not made a withdrawal for a home purchase before, and are purchasing a property you intend to live in, you can apply for this. You must however leave a minimum of $1,000 remaining in your KiwiSaver account. You may also qualify for a Housing NZ KiwiSaver HomeStart grant of up to $10,000. Talk to us about whether either of these options might be right for you.
Yes, you can. There are some good reasons to consider doing this and we can advise you accordingly if this is your situation. KiwiSaver provides an easy and cost-effective way to continue investing, and will ensure your retirement assets are diversified, as opposed to sitting in a bank account.
If you have an employer, they must contribute a minimum of 3% of your before-tax salary or wages into KiwiSaver. Their contribution must be in addition to your salary or wages, unless your remuneration package includes the employer contribution. You should always be able to access this information from your employer.
Your contributions to KiwiSaver are invested so they earn money for you. You will pay tax on the money your investment earns. When you withdraw funds from your KiwiSaver scheme, they are tax-free. We can help you identify what kind of scheme you are currently in e.g., widely-held superannuation schemes or portfolio investment entities (PIEs). This will determine the correct tax code to be used.
It is worthwhile to join if you haven’t already. The Government contributes $0.50 to your KiwiSaver account for every $1 you contribute (up to $521.43 each KiwiSaver year). This is provided you are 18+, not yet entitled to withdraw funds for your retirement, and mainly residing in New Zealand.
Yes. A large percentage of Kiwis are signed up to KiwiSaver, but might be able to obtain a much better return from a different provider. We have access to a number of leading providers and can help you to easily transition if you wish. We will liaise with the existing provider and the IRD. We can take care of this process on your behalf and there is no fee for the transfer service.
As you will probably be aware, under current legislation you will be able to access your KiwiSaver savings when you reach the age of 65. This sounds like a long way off for many people, however if you are about to reach this age, now is a good time to start thinking about what you will do with your funds and how you can make the most of them in retirement, along with your other assets.
Because KiwiSaver schemes are trusts, your money is locked in a trust and remains yours. If your provider were to go out of business, your investment would not be affected. All KiwiSaver providers are regulated by the Financial Markets Authority.
Yes. You could opt to increase the percentage amount from your salary or wages, or you can make regular or one-off contributions at any time. Please note that once these voluntary contributions have been made, they cannot be reversed.
Yes. If you were automatically enrolled but now do not want to be a member, you may opt out. You can opt out between the end of week 2 and week 8 of starting work.
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