Estimate your employee, employer and government contributions, and project your KiwiSaver balance at retirement based on your fund type.
Your age today
Age you plan to access your KiwiSaver
Your existing balance, if any
Your gross salary or wages
Default minimum is 3.5% (from 1 April 2026)
Employer minimum is 3.5% — they aren't required to match higher employee rates
Affects the long-term average return used for your projection
ℹ️ Projections use 10-year average fund returns (net of fees, before tax) and assume constant income and contributions. Actual returns will vary year to year.
📋 2026 KiwiSaver Settings
Default rate: 3.5% (employee & employer) | Government contribution: 25c per $1, up to $260.72/year | Requires $1,042.86 of your own contributions | Not available above $180,000 income
Projected Balance at Retirement
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💰 Your Annual Contribution--
🏢 Employer Annual Contribution--
🏛️ Government Annual Contribution--
📈 Total Investment Growth--
📅 Annual Contribution Breakdown
Your Contribution (per pay period, weekly)
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Your Contribution (per pay period, fortnightly)
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Your Contribution (per pay period, monthly)
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📊 Retirement Projection Summary
Starting Balance
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Years to Retirement
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Fund Type & Return Used
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Total Contributions (You + Employer + Govt)
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Total Investment Growth
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Projected Balance at Retirement
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How KiwiSaver Works
KiwiSaver is New Zealand's voluntary workplace savings scheme, primarily used to save for retirement or a first home. Each payday, a percentage of your gross pay is deducted and invested, matched by an employer contribution, with the government topping up eligible members annually. From 1 April 2026, the default minimum contribution rate for both employees and employers rose from 3% to 3.5%, with a further rise to 4% scheduled for 1 April 2028.
📝 Contribution Rates (2026)
Contributor
Rate
Employee (default minimum)
3.5% (can choose 4%, 6%, 8%, or 10%)
Employer (statutory minimum)
3.5%
Government (Member Tax Credit)
25% of your contribution, up to $260.72/year
To receive the full government contribution, you need to personally contribute at least $1,042.86 between 1 July and 30 June each year. Members earning over $180,000 in taxable income do not qualify. Employer contributions are subject to Employer Superannuation Contribution Tax (ESCT) at rates from 10.5% to 39%, deducted before the contribution reaches your account.
📈 Long-Term Average Fund Returns (10-year, net of fees)
Fund Type
Avg. Annual Return
Conservative
4.1%
Balanced
6.4%
Growth
7.8%
Aggressive
8.6%
Growth and aggressive funds hold more shares and property, offering higher long-term returns but larger short-term swings. Conservative funds hold more cash and bonds, offering steadier but lower long-term returns. Past performance does not guarantee future returns.
💡 Example Calculation
Scenario: 30-year-old with a $15,000 balance, $70,000 income, contributing 3.5%, employer matching 3.5%, in a Growth fund (7.8% avg. return), retiring at 65.
1. Your annual contribution: $70,000 × 3.5% = $2,450
2. Employer annual contribution: $70,000 × 3.5% = $2,450
3. Government contribution: 25% × min($2,450, $1,042.86) = $260.72 (capped, since $2,450 exceeds the $1,042.86 threshold)
4. Total annual contribution: $2,450 + $2,450 + $260.72 = $5,160.72
5. Over 35 years at 7.8% average growth, this could compound to a projected balance in the hundreds of thousands — try the calculator above with your own numbers.
Note: This is a simplified projection. Real returns vary year to year and are never guaranteed.
⚠️ Important Notes
- This calculator provides estimates only and assumes constant income, contribution rates, and a fixed average annual return — real markets fluctuate year to year.
- It does not deduct ESCT from employer contributions or fund management fees from the projected balance.
- It does not model first-home withdrawals, contribution holidays, or changes in income over time.
- Past fund performance is not a guarantee of future returns.
- For official information and to check your actual balance, use Inland Revenue (IRD) – KiwiSaver or the Sorted KiwiSaver calculator.
- Contribution rates and government settings are reviewed periodically and may change.
Frequently Asked Questions
The default minimum contribution rate for both employees and employers is 3.5%, effective from 1 April 2026 (up from 3%). It's scheduled to rise again to 4% from 1 April 2028. Employees can choose to contribute more: 4%, 6%, 8%, or 10%.
From 1 July 2025, the government contributes 25 cents for every dollar you personally contribute, up to a maximum of $260.72 per year. To get the full amount, you need to contribute at least $1,042.86 yourself between 1 July and 30 June. Members earning over $180,000 in taxable income do not qualify.
Your employer is only required to contribute the statutory minimum rate (3.5% from 1 April 2026), regardless of how much more you choose to contribute yourself. If you contribute above the minimum, your employer's contribution doesn't automatically increase unless they choose to offer a higher match.
Conservative and moderate funds hold more cash and bonds, offering lower but steadier long-term returns. Growth and aggressive funds hold more shares and property, offering higher long-term returns with more short-term ups and downs. Most people saving for retirement decades away choose growth funds; those withdrawing sooner (like for a first home) often choose more conservative options.
You can withdraw your full KiwiSaver balance from age 65. After 3 years of membership, eligible first home buyers can withdraw most of their balance (leaving a $1,000 minimum) to put toward buying a home they intend to live in.
⚠️ Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates for informational purposes only, based on 2026 KiwiSaver contribution rates and 10-year historical average fund returns. It assumes constant income, contributions, and a fixed average annual return — actual investment returns vary year to year and are never guaranteed. It does not deduct ESCT, fund fees, or model first-home withdrawals. For official information, use Inland Revenue (IRD) or seek independent financial advice.