There are a range of membership benefits to encourage you KiwiSaver is a voluntary, work-based savings initiative
to help you with your long-term saving for retirement. It's designed to be hassle-free so it's easy to maintain a
regular savings pattern. Some people may also be eligible for help with the deposit on their first home.
KiwiSaver schemes are managed by private sector companies called KiwiSaver providers. You can choose which
KiwiSaver provider to invest your money with.
KiwiSaver is not guaranteed by the Government. This means you make your investment choices in a KiwiSaver
scheme at your own risk. Here at Insure New Zealand we can assist you with information on Kiwisaver schemes
and also look after the administration for you, making this an easy process that will benefit you and your family in
the future.
How you make KiwiSaver contributions
For many people, KiwiSaver will be work-based. This means you'll receive information about KiwiSaver from your
employer, and your KiwiSaver contributions will come straight out of your pay.
If you are employed and choose to join, contributions are deducted from your pay at the rate of 3%, 4% ,6%, 8%
or 10% (you choose the rate) and invested for you in a KiwiSaver scheme.
If you're self-employed or not working, you agree with your KiwiSaver provider how much you want to contribute,
and make payments directly to them. You DO NOT have to contribute if you do not wish. If you do contribute, the
government will put in 50 cents for every dollar you contribute up to a maximum of $521. (So if you put in $1,043,
the government will give you $521)
Children can also join. No other contributions need to be made if you do not wish to. They will start to contribute
when they start to work, but are NOT entitled to the Government tax credit ($521) till age 18.
When you can get your money
Your KiwiSaver savings will generally by locked in until:
You're eligible for NZ Super (currently 65), or
You may be able to make an early withdrawal of part (or all) of your savings if you're:
Buying your first home
Moving overseas permanently
Suffering significant financial hardship
Seriously ill
What you will get from KiwiSaver when you retire
NZ Super provides for a basic standard of living in retirement, but it may not be enough for the kind of retirement
you want. Having a KiwiSaver account doesn't affect your eligibility for NZ Super or reduce the amount of NZ Super
you would be eligible for.
KiwiSaver savings will complement NZ Super to provide you with a better standard of living for your retirement.
How does KiwiSaver work?
Your KiwiSaver savings are made up of contributions to your account, plus or minus investment returns, minus
any withdrawals, fees and taxes.
KiwiSaver Benefits
KiwiSaver has a range of membership benefits including contributions from your employer and the Government,
as well as help buying your first home.
To help you save, the Government will make an annual contribution towards your KiwiSaver account as
long as you are a contributing member aged 18 or over -Member tax credit – For every $1 you
contribute, the Government will contribute 50 cents (Up to $521 per year)
Compulsory employer contributions - If you're eligible, your employer will also contribute an amount
equal to 3% of your pay to your KiwiSaver savings
You may be able to withdraw some of your KiwiSaver savings to put towards buying your first home.
After 3 years of contributing to KiwiSaver, you may be entitled to a first home deposit subsidy. The subsidy is
administered by Housing New Zealand and will be paid to your solicitor on the day the purchase of the property
is settled.
