KiwiSaver Essentials

Our expert guides cover everything you need to know about your contributions, your employer's contributions, how KiwiSaver is taxed, hardship applications, first-home benefits and must-know fund selection tips

• Retirement in a Nutshell (read this first)- Retiring without savings means certain struggle. Superannuation payments are like welfare - they don't pay for any kind of lifestyle. Our guide explains everything you need to know to avoid the all too real 'pensioner poverty' trap
• Choosing a KiwiSaver fund - Switching funds or joining KiwiSaver? We explain how to look for a fund based on your investing needs, fund performance and fees, as well as outlining why a default fund may not be suitable for your needs
• Switching KiwiSaver - Thinking about moving KiwiSaver funds? We explain what to consider and think about before making this important decision
• ​KiwiSaver Hardship - ​if you're a KiwiSaver member and struggling with your finances, our guide explains everything you need to do to ask for an early redemption
• Contributions holiday - if you're wanting to take a break from contributing, our guide explains your options
• Calculating your PIR - our guide covers everything you need to know to making sure you're paying the correct tax on investment fund earnings
• KiwiSaver First Home Withdrawal Guide - if you want to use your KiwiSaver balance for a house deposit, our guide explains everything you need to know
• KiwiSaver HomeStart Guide - get a grant of up to $20,000 and access to your KiwiSaver fund for your first house or apartment deposit
• Your contributions - You can choose how much to contribute. Find out what happens when you go on leave, receive a benefit or entitlement, or have a tax debt
• KiwiSaver Contributions - Gross or Net? - it’s a common question to ask if your contribution (and your employer’s 3% contribution) is calculated on your gross salary or salary after tax - in this guide, we explain everything you need to know

• Your employer's contributions - If you're a KiwiSaver member making contributions from your pay, your employer will also contribute to your KiwiSaver savings
• Government contributions - To help you save, the Government will make an annual contribution towards your KiwiSaver account as long as you meet certain conditions.​
• Voluntary contributions - make voluntary contributions (or lump sum payments) at any time, either directly to your KiwiSaver provider or through Inland Revenue​
• ​KiwiSaver and tax - KiwiSaver contributions are deducted from your before-tax pay, and our guide explains everything you need to know.
• How to check your KiwiSaver contributions - Keeping track of your KiwiSaver contributions is easy with 'My KiwiSaver'
• KiwiSaver Withdrawal - If you joined KiwiSaver on or after 1 July 2019, you can withdraw your savings when you qualify for NZ Super (currently 65)
• KiwiSaver Providers - ​You can choose which scheme to join, even if you're provisionally allocated to an employer-chosen/default scheme
• Opting out of KiwiSaver - If you're a new employee who's been automatically enrolled, you can choose to opt out of KiwiSaver
• KiwiSaver Fund Selection Guide - ​10 Must-Know Facts Revealing Everything You Need To Know About KiwiSaver
• KiwiSaver Calculator - our retirement calculator considers KiwiSaver contributions, how much you earn right now, how much you plan to spend during retirement, and how old you are, among other factors