Nicola Willis speaks to Ryan Bridge about changes to KiwiSaver. Video / Herald Now
THE FACTS
From April 2026, KiwiSaver minimum contribution rates will rise to 3.5% for both employees and employers.
The change aims to boost long-term savings, though it may slightly reduce take-home pay.
Sixteen and 17-year-olds will become eligible for employer contributions, promoting early saving habits.
When your pay lands in April it may be slightly smaller than usual. Not by much – perhaps the price of a couple of coffees a week – but enough to prompt a double-take. The reason won’t be tax. It will most likely be KiwiSaver.
From April 1,2026, minimum KiwiSaver contribution rates will rise for both employees and employers. For many New Zealanders, this will mean a modest reduction in take-home pay, offset by more money flowing into long-term savings. At the same time, earlier changes to the Government contribution are now fully in effect, quietly reshaping the incentives underpinning the scheme.
For a system that already holds more than $100 billion and supports the retirements of over three million New Zealanders, these shifts matter. Understanding what is changing, and why, is important for anyone contributing to KiwiSaver, or planning to rely on it in retirement.
The most immediate change is the increase in minimum contribution rates. From April 2026, both employees and employers will be required to contribute at least 3.5% of an employee’s before-tax income, up from the current 3%. This increase was announced in the 2025 Budget and forms part of a longer-term plan to strengthen retirement savings. A further increase to 4% is already scheduled for April 2028.
While a half-percentage-point rise may sound modest, the impact over time can be meaningful. Higher regular contributions mean more money invested earlier, giving compound returns more time to work.
For someone earning $70,000 a year, the move from 3% to 3.5% means roughly $7 more a week going into KiwiSaver. It’s not a life-changing sum day to day, but over a working lifetime, invested and compounded, it can add tens of thousands of dollars (if not more) to retirement savings.
The shift to 3.5% will apply automatically to anyone contributing at the default rate, but KiwiSaver remains a flexible scheme. Members can still choose a higher contribution rate (4%, 6%, 8% or 10%) if the higher minimum does not suit their circumstances, and there is also an option to apply for a temporary reduction to remain at 3%.
In theory, KiwiSaver offers plenty of choice. In practice, most people stay exactly where they are. Defaults matter, because once something happens automatically, it tends to stay that way. The shift to a higher minimum contribution will affect millions of New Zealanders who never fill out a form – and that is precisely the point.
From February 2026, members can apply to Inland Revenue to temporarily stay on the lower rate for a period of between three and 12 months. This is not a hardship application and does not require proof of financial difficulty. However, there is an important catch. If an employee remains at 3%, their employer may also choose to contribute only 3%, meaning less total money goes into the KiwiSaver account. When the approved period ends, contributions automatically revert to the higher default rate unless another application is made or the member actively chooses a different rate.
The changes will be felt differently across the workforce. Employees contributing at the minimum are likely to notice a small dip in take-home pay from April 2026. For most, the impact should be manageable, though it may require some adjustment. Employers, meanwhile, will need to factor higher compulsory contributions into their costs – something that may be more noticeable for small businesses.
One of the more significant shifts affects younger New Zealanders, and it is a change that we welcome. From April 2026, 16 and 17-year-olds who are employed will become eligible for employer KiwiSaver contributions. While young workers are at the opposite end of the retirement journey, extending KiwiSaver access earlier helps normalise saving from the outset of working life. Even small contributions, made consistently over long periods, have far more time to compound and can materially improve retirement outcomes over time.
For a 57-year-old realising retirement is no longer abstract, higher contributions may feel overdue. The same rule change lands very differently, depending on where you sit in working life.
Alongside contribution rates, changes to the Government KiwiSaver contribution are now fully in place. From July 2025, the maximum annual Government contribution was halved to $260.72. To receive the full amount, members must still contribute at least $1042.86 per year. Eligibility has also been tightened, with those earning more than $180,000 a year no longer qualifying for the payment.
KiwiSaver changes driven by Finance Minister Nicola Willis include phasing in higher default contribution rates. Photo / Mark Mitchell
The message from Wellington has also shifted. The Government is still nudging people to save, but the incentive is smaller and more targeted. KiwiSaver is moving closer to being a system people are expected to rely on, and fund primarily through their own contributions, alongside support from their employers.
At the same time, the Government contribution has been extended to include 16 and 17-year-olds, provided they meet the usual eligibility requirements. While the incentive is smaller than it once was, it is still worth capturing for those who qualify.
Taken together, these changes are occurring against the backdrop of a broader set of challenges facing New Zealand. People are living longer, but many are not financially prepared for retirement. Surveys consistently show a large proportion of New Zealanders do not feel confident about their financial position later in life, and New Zealand Superannuation alone is unlikely to provide a comfortable standard of living for most retirees.
Gradually lifting KiwiSaver contribution rates is one way policymakers are attempting to narrow that gap without making the scheme compulsory (a topic which also needs addressing). The changes already locked in are a step in the right direction, strengthening retirement preparedness over time. However, New Zealand still lags behind overseas systems (particularly Australia) where compulsory superannuation and materially higher contribution rates have helped build one of the world’s largest and most robust retirement savings pools.
For individuals, the start of a new year is a useful time to review KiwiSaver settings. With the minimum contribution rate rising, it is worth checking whether your current rate still suits your income and lifestyle. It is also an opportunity to review your fund choice and ensure it aligns with how long you expect to be invested and how comfortable you are with market ups and downs.
KiwiSaver is designed to be a long-term savings vehicle, not something to react to month by month. Small improvements made early (whether through higher contributions or a more appropriate fund) can make a substantial difference over time. For those unsure about their settings, seeking guidance can help provide clarity and confidence.
The increase to a 3.5% minimum contribution rate from April 2026 represents a meaningful shift in how New Zealand approaches retirement savings. While it may slightly reduce take-home pay in the short term, the intent is clear: to help future retirees build stronger, more resilient financial foundations. For most New Zealanders, the real opportunity lies in taking a few minutes to understand the changes and ensure their KiwiSaver is working as effectively as possible for the years ahead.
Generate is a New Zealand-owned KiwiSaver and Managed Fund provider managing over $8 billion on behalf of more than 180,000 New Zealanders.
This article is intended for general information only and should not be considered financial advice. The views expressed are those of the author. All investments carry risk, and past performance is not indicative of future results.
To see Generate’s Financial Advice Provider Disclosure Statement or Product Disclosure Statement, go to www.generatewealth.co.nz/advertising-disclosures/. The issuer is Generate Investment Management Limited.
