"We wonder if a lower rate of 1 per cent or 2 per cent for a limited period would reduce the number of people taking contributions holidays and help more people get started."
About 125,000 people are sitting on a contribution holiday. People can put a hold on putting money into KiwiSaver for any reason after they have been in it for one year.
At present they can take a holiday for up to five years before they are asked to review the decision and more than 80 per cent of those on a break are on the five-year holiday.
Boyle said while some people may need an extended break, a five-year suspension could be too long.
Instead it is proposing a one-year maximum holiday with the ability to renew it a year at a time.
Another proposal is to let people over the age of 65 join KiwiSaver.
At present people cannot join the scheme once they hit 65 even if they are still working.
The commission wants feedback on its proposal before making any recommendations to the Government. It will report back before the end of the year.
But that does not mean the Government will actually make any of the changes. Past recommendations by the commission, including raising the age of eligibility for New Zealand Superannuation, have been rebuffed. The public can have their say on the options at cffc.org.nz
8 ways to improve
1. More flexible contribution rates - allowing people to contribute at 5, 6 or 7 per cent not just 3, 4 or 8 per cent.
2. Ability to choose annual rise of 0.5 per cent or 1 per cent up to a cap.
3. Reduce your rate to 1 or 2 per cent for a limited time.
4. Make providers show the annual fee on your statement in dollars.
5. Reduce the contribution holiday from five years to one year with the right to renew it yearly.
6. Let people over 65 join.
7. One-off auto-enrolment to sign up all those not already in KiwiSaver.
8. Allow people to join multiple KiwiSaver schemes.