KiwiSaver is a voluntary, work-based retirement savings initiative of the New Zealand Government.
The National Bank KiwiSaver Scheme ("National Bank KiwiSaver") is designed to help you save for your
retirement now.
Key Features
-
A one-off $1,000 Government contribution to your
first KiwiSaver scheme.**
-
Member contributions will be matched by the
Government up to $20 per week (approximately $1,040 per annum) in
the form of a tax credit paid annually to the member’s
KiwiSaver account*.
-
You choose the contribution rate – an amount
equal to 2%, 4% or 8% of your gross salary or wages**.
-
You'll receive a matching compulsory employer contribution of 2% of gross
salary or wages*.
-
A first-home deposit subsidy for eligible
investors* - after three years of membership (up to $1,000 for each year of
membership to a maximum of $5,000).
-
‘Contributions holiday’ – you can take a
‘Contributions holiday’ twelve months after your first contribution is received.
Holidays can be for three months
to five years, after which contributions will resume unless a
further ‘Contributions holiday’ is applied for.
-
You don’t need to do anything once you’ve signed up
- your savings are automatically deducted from your salary or wages
each payday, or the date of your direct debit if you do not earn a salary or wage.
Note: if you don’t have a regular income, you can contribute via a direct debit, by lump
sum cheque contributions or to Inland Revenue directly. If you do earn a salary or wages
then at least 2% will be deducted from your gross earnings.
Other Features
-
Enrolment is generally automatic if you are aged
between 18 and 65 years and commence new employment*. If you are automatically enrolled you can choose to ‘opt-out’
between two and eight weeks after starting the new job. Any
contributions already deducted will be refunded. You can also choose
to ‘opt-in’ to a KiwiSaver scheme at any time.
-
A KiwiSaver scheme can be selected in one of three ways,
in this order:
- You can select a registered scheme that is available
- Your employer can select a ‘preferred’ KiwiSaver scheme for use by
staff. This means if you do not select a scheme yourself, you will
automatically be joined to the scheme selected by your employer.*
- If neither of the above happens, and you are automatically enrolled, you
are allocated to a default provider by Inland Revenue.
The default fund in a scheme is the Government mandated investment option that may over time produce lower
returns compared to self selected or preferred schemes that employ
more sophisticated investment strategies.
-
Your savings are ‘locked in’, taking away the urge
to dip in to your savings. Your funds are generally locked away
until you reach the age of eligibility for New Zealand
Superannuation (currently 65), or you’ve been in a KiwiSaver scheme
(or 'complying superannuation fund') for five years, whichever comes
later. In certain circumstances you can also withdraw your and your employer's contributions to put
towards the deposit on your first home.
- National Bank customers with Online Banking are able to review their National Bank KiwiSaver
balance online at their own convenience.
When you join the National Bank KiwiSaver Scheme ("National Bank KiwiSaver"), you have choices about how your money is invested.
To read about your options go to which fund is right for you.
If you're interested in understanding
investment risk there is also a section
covering this, which also describes what each of
the funds invest in.
Do you have a question about KiwiSaver? Check out the frequently
asked questions below. If your question isn't covered you can call us on
0800 156 020.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits of KiwiSaver?
KiwiSaver offers a number of benefits, including:
-
A one-off $1,000 contribution from the Government
when you join your first KiwiSaver scheme to get you started
-
A tax credit to your KiwiSaver scheme - this is
applicable to KiwiSaver members aged 18 years and over,
contributions will be matched by the Government up to $20 per week
(approximately $1,040 per year)* and are paid annually to the scheme
to the credit of your account
-
A first home deposit subsidy - up to $1,000 per
year of membership (up to a maximum of $5,000 for five years) after
three years of saving through KiwiSaver*
-
Tax free employer contributions – employer
contributions of up to the lesser of the employee’s contribution or
an amount equal to 2% of the value of the employee’s salary or wages
(excluding employer superannuation contributions) are exempt from employer
superannuation contribution tax.
Do I have any choices to make?
There are a few choices to make when you select National Bank
KiwiSaver:
-
Choose a contribution rate of either 2% (the default rate if no
choice is made) 4% or 8% of your gross salary or wages**.
-
Choose the fund you wish to invest in
-
Choose whether or not to pay additional lump sums, contribute via direct debit,
on top of any contributions directly from your salary or wages, or transfer current
superannuation investments to your National Bank KiwiSaver.
What is a contributions holiday and how does it work?
After 12 months in KiwiSaver, you can apply for a contributions holiday. A
contributions holiday can be for between three months and five years.
You can apply to Inland Revenue to take a contributions holiday if
either:
-
12 months have passed since your first contribution was received by
Inland Revenue or a KiwiSaver scheme; or
-
You are suffering, or likely to suffer, financial hardship and at
least one contribution has been received from you by Inland Revenue.
If you are not employed and make your contributions via direct debit, you must apply
to your provider to take a contributions holiday.
At the end of the period, contributions will resume unless a further
contributions holiday is applied for. You must reapply to Inland Revenue to
renew the contributions holiday.
What happens if I change jobs and already belong to a
KiwiSaver scheme?
You will remain part of your existing scheme, and your new employer will
deduct the relevant contribution amounts and pay to Inland Revenue, who
will then foward this amount to your KiwiSaver scheme.
You can choose to transfer between KiwiSaver schemes at any time subject to the payment
of applicable transfer fees. National Bank KiwiSaver does not charge such fees.
What is the Government 'kick-start' contribution and how is
it allocated?
The Government will contribute a one-off tax free payment of $1,000 to the first
KiwiSaver scheme you become a member of. This payment will be made about
three months after your first KiwiSaver contribution is received by Inland
Revenue or the scheme.
How will the housing deposit subsidy work?
After three years, you may be eligible for a one-off deposit subsidy for your
first home of up to $1,000 for every year you have been a member of a KiwiSaver Scheme –
up to a maximum of $5,000.
If you have a partner also saving through KiwiSaver, you can combine
your deposit subsidies. So, after five years’ saving, a couple could get up
to $10,000, provided you have a total household income below the income cap
and meet any other criteria. The Qualification criteria are still to be finalised.
How can I access my benefit?
Your funds will generally remain locked in until you reach New Zealand
superannuation qualification age (currently 65) or you’ve been in a
KiwiSaver scheme (or ‘complying superannuation fund’) for five years,
whichever is the later.
The exceptions to this restriction are:
-
You are suffering from or are likely to suffer significant financial
hardship (you can withdraw all but the $1,000 Government
contribution and member tax credits)
-
You are suffering from serious illness (you can withdraw the balance of your
account)
-
You emigrate permanently. The funds excluding member tax credits can be
paid out after 12 months have passed since you permanently emigrated
from New Zealand. You may at any time after you permanently emigrate
from New Zealand apply to have your KiwiSaver benefit transferred
into an overseas superannuation scheme authorised for that purpose
under KiwiSaver legislation
-
You are purchasing your first home and three years have passed since
Inland Revenue received your first KiwiSaver contribution, or you
have been a KiwiSaver member for three years or more. (A withdrawal
for this purpose cannot include the $1,000 Government contribution
and member tax credits)
-
You pass away, in which case the balance of your KiwiSaver account
will be paid to your estate when requested
-
If required under any Act of Parliament.
See the
Investment Statement for more details on accessing your benefit.
How do I change my KiwiSaver provider?
Transferring is easy. If you've been automatically enrolled in or joined another scheme
it's simple to change to National Bank KiwiSaver, all you need to do is read the
Investment Statement
and fill in an application form - and ING (NZ) Limited will do the rest.