KiwiSaver in 2026: the facts

1. The KiwiSaver government contribution is 25 cents for each dollar you contribute, up to $260.72 a year, from 1 July 2025.

   Source: Inland Revenue

2. To get the maximum government contribution you need to contribute $1,042.86 of your own money between 1 July and 30 June.

   Source: Inland Revenue

3. From 1 July 2025, members with taxable income over $180,000 get no government contribution, with no phase-out.

   Source: Inland Revenue, Taxation (Budget Measures) Act 2025 commentary

4. Before 1 July 2025 the government contribution was 50 cents per dollar, up to $521.43 a year.

   Source: Inland Revenue, Taxation (Budget Measures) Act 2025 commentary

5. Since 1 July 2025, 16 and 17 year olds can get the government contribution.

   Source: Inland Revenue, Taxation (Budget Measures) Act 2025 commentary

6. The default KiwiSaver contribution rate rose from 3% to 3.5% on 1 April 2026 and rises to 4% on 1 April 2028, as does the employer minimum.

   Source: Inland Revenue, KiwiSaver changes

7. Employer contributions for 16 and 17 year olds began on 1 April 2026.

   Source: Inland Revenue, KiwiSaver changes

8. Annual statement projections assume yearly returns after fees and tax of 1.5% (defensive), 2.5% (conservative), 3.5% (balanced), 4.5% (growth) and 5.5% (aggressive), set on 13 June 2019.

   Source: Financial Markets Conduct Regulations 2014, Schedule 7A

9. Annual statement projections assume 2% inflation, 3.5% pay growth, a 2.5% return after 65 and payments until age 90.

   Source: Financial Markets Conduct Regulations 2014, Schedule 7A

10. KiwiSaver had 3,440,473 members at 31 March 2026.

    Source: FMA KiwiSaver Annual Report 2026

11. KiwiSaver funds under management were $138.8 billion at 31 March 2026.

    Source: FMA KiwiSaver Annual Report 2026

12. The average KiwiSaver balance was $40,340 at 31 March 2026, up from $36,349 a year earlier.

    Source: FMA KiwiSaver Annual Report 2026

13. KiwiSaver members paid $978.2 million in fees in the year to 31 March 2026, about 0.7% of funds under management.

    Source: FMA KiwiSaver Annual Report 2026

14. Contributions totalled $13.2 billion in the year to 31 March 2026: $8.7 billion from members, $3.5 billion from employers and about $1 billion from the government.

    Source: FMA KiwiSaver Annual Report 2026

15. 1.42 million KiwiSaver members were not contributing at 31 March 2026.

    Source: FMA KiwiSaver Annual Report 2026

16. First home withdrawals reached $2.2 billion in the year to 31 March 2026, by more than 50,000 members.

    Source: FMA KiwiSaver Annual Report 2026

17. Hardship withdrawals were $531.5 million across 51,609 withdrawals in the year to 31 March 2026.

    Source: FMA KiwiSaver Annual Report 2026

18. 117,384 members were on a savings suspension at 31 March 2026.

    Source: FMA KiwiSaver Annual Report 2026

19. Six default funds, all balanced, held $4.1 billion for 337,230 members at 31 March 2026.

    Source: FMA KiwiSaver Annual Report 2026

20. You can make a first home withdrawal after 3 years of membership, and must leave $1,000 in your account.

    Source: KiwiSaver Act 2006, Schedule 1 clause 8

21. A savings suspension is available for any reason after 12 months of membership and lasts from 92 days to 1 year.

    Source: KiwiSaver Act 2006, sections 102 to 104

22. If you move permanently to Australia you can transfer your whole balance to an Australian super scheme, but you cannot take it as cash.

    Source: KiwiSaver Act 2006, Schedule 1 clause 14B

23. You can withdraw your KiwiSaver savings from the NZ Super age, currently 65.

    Source: KiwiSaver Act 2006, Schedule 1 clause 4

24. NZ Super for a single person living alone is $1,294.74 a fortnight before tax from 1 April 2026.

    Source: Work and Income

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