Automatically enrolling people in KiwiSaver is off the table for now, but could be reviewed again if the Government's books allow, Finance Minister Bill English says.
Under such a change, all workers would be automatically signed up to the retirement scheme under the change, unless they asked to opt out.
English has previously said that mass enrolment had become more affordable in the wake of the Government's snap decision to drop the $1000 kickstart, announced as part of Budget 2015.
However, the move would still carry significant cost, and he has now said it will not be considered for some time.
"There is now such a significant proportion of the eligible population for KiwiSaver already in KiwiSaver, that it wouldn't cost a lot to do auto-enrolment but could be administratively quite complex," English told Radio New Zealand.
"So we'll keep it under review, and when there is more fiscal room we may have another look at it."
In 2015/16, the Government is forecast to spend $705 million on the KiwiSaver Member Tax Credit.
Before the last election National promised a one-off mass compulsory enrolment when the Government's books were back in surplus.
Labour and the Greens have attacked the decision to drop the kickstart payments, saying National has undermined KiwiSaver since it came to power.
Ditching kickstart was forecast to save the Government $500 million over four years.