$2k a year KiwiSaver govt subsidy proposed to help self-employed save

Tom Hartmann, managing editor of the Sorted website, says a higher government subsidy could encourage more self-employed people to save in KiwiSaver. Photo / Supplied

Boosting the Government's annual contribution to KiwiSaver from up to $521 a year to up to $2000 could encourage more self-employed people to save, says a personal finance expert.

At the moment KiwiSaver members get 50c for every dollar they put in up to a maximum of $521 from the Government for every year they are a member of KiwiSaver.

But Tom Hartmann, managing editor of the Sorted website which is part of the Commission for Financial Capability, believes boosting the contribution to $2 from the government for every $1 savers put in could entice more self employed people to put away money towards their retirement.

At the moment research has shown that while 73 per cent of full-time employed workers contribute to KiwiSaver, just 40 per cent of self-employed/contractors or business owners do.

Employees have a much greater incentive to save in KiwiSaver because it is compulsory for employers to contribute 3 per cent.

But around 5 per cent of New Zealand's workers are self-employed, 10 per cent work for more than one company and there is talk about a growing number of Kiwis doing different "gigs" for their work.

Hartmann said it had been wondering for some time how to get more self-employed people to contribute to KiwiSaver.

The extra cost to Government could be contained by limiting the incentive to the first 10 years of membership. That would cost the Government $20k - similar to paying the $521 over 40 years.

Hartmann he hoped that by 10 years a savings habit would be established. Putting the money in earlier would also make the most of compounding interest for the remainder of the member's term.

"Dialling up the Government contribution would add extra incentive for members to put in enough to gain the Government matcher each year."

The proposal is just one being considered by the interim Retirement Commissioner Peter Cordtz as part of the three-yearly review of retirement policy.

Cordtz said the idea was worthy of discussion.

"We're keen to find ways to make the KiwiSaver structure as fair and attractive as possible to all New Zealanders, whether they're in paid employment, self-employed or taking time out of the workforce," he said.

"This suggestion could encourage a wider range of people to save more towards their retirement."

Cordtz will consider the proposal along with public feedback and submissions before deciding on which recommendations to include in his report to Government in December.

Public submissions on the review are open until this Thursday, October 31, and can be made through the CFFC website.