01
We confirm what matters to you
A few quick questions about your timeframe, how you feel about market ups and downs, and any investment preferences. The aim is to match you to the right scheme — not just a default based on your age.
Why switch
Most people didn’t pick their own KiwiSaver scheme.
If you didn’t choose a provider yourself, you were likely placed into a default fund — one of six government-selected options.
BetterSaver helps you check whether your current scheme still fits, recommends a better option if it doesn’t, and guides you through switching online. You can change your KiwiSaver provider at any time — there’s no lock-in, and the process is simpler than most people expect.
Get my KiwiSaver recommendationHow it works
Switch in three simple steps.
Most people are done in under five minutes. We guide you the whole way.
02
We show your recommended options
You’ll see a fund that matches your profile and meets our analysis criteria. Compare it against others in plain English, side by side. No jargon, no noise.
03
We guide you through the switch
Complete an application on the BetterSaver website. We capture what’s needed and pass it to your chosen provider to finalise. Most people are done in under 5 minutes.
Before you start
What you’ll need.
Having these handy speeds things up.
Your email address and mobile number.
Your IRD number (helpful, though not always required straight away).
A form of ID for online verification — usually a driver licence or passport.
During the switch
What happens when you switch KiwiSaver providers.
Your KiwiSaver account stays in your name throughout. You’re moving your balance to a new provider and a new scheme — nothing is lost in the process.
Employer contributions keep going as normal. In most cases, you don’t need to tell your employer.
Government contributions still apply. Switching doesn’t reset your member tax credit eligibility.
Your current provider transfers the value of your account to the new provider, which invests it into the scheme you chose.
Timing
How long does switching take?
Switching usually takes a few business days, though it can sometimes take a little longer depending on the providers involved. We’ll show you what to expect and keep things clear throughout.
Out of market
Is my money out of the market during the switch?
There’s usually a short processing period when your balance is transferred between providers. This is normal for KiwiSaver switches and is typically brief.
Two paths
Switching through BetterSaver.
Some providers connect directly with our platform. Others don’t. Either way, we can help.
If your chosen provider supports switching through BetterSaver
This is the smoothest path. You complete everything in one online flow — we guide you through each step and make it clear what happens next and when.
Guided through the join and switch steps online.
Complete it in one flow, from start to finish.
Clear updates on what happens next, and when.
If your chosen provider doesn’t support switching through BetterSaver
We can still recommend a scheme from a provider that isn’t on our direct-switch platform, as long as it meets our analysis criteria. In most cases, you can still complete the application on the BetterSaver website — we then pass it to the provider to finalise.
You can view the scheme and why it’s recommended.
You complete the application on our site, and we pass it on to the provider.
The provider may contact you if they need anything further.
Our ongoing service may be more limited once you’re with a non-participating provider.
Different from switching
Changing your KiwiSaver contribution rate.
Switching providers and changing your contribution rate are two different things. If you want to adjust how much of your pay goes into KiwiSaver — rather than which provider holds it — that’s done through your employer.
Available rates: 3.5%, 4%, 6%, 8%, or 10%
KiwiSaver contribution rates are set as a percentage of your before-tax pay. You can request a change at any time by giving your employer written notice.
Joining for the first time
Not in KiwiSaver yet?
Most people in New Zealand are already in KiwiSaver through automatic enrolment when they start employment. If you’re self-employed, have opted out previously, or are a new resident who hasn’t joined, you can still use BetterSaver to choose a scheme and join online.
The process is the same: a few quick questions, a scheme recommendation, then an application with your chosen provider.
Transparency
What it costs and how we’re paid.
No extra cost to you
Using BetterSaver doesn’t cost you anything extra.
You pay the same scheme fees you’d pay going directly to the provider.
Commissions & independence
Commissions don’t influence our recommendations.
BetterSaver may receive a commission from some KiwiSaver providers when you join or switch through our platform.
You don’t pay this commission directly, and it doesn’t increase your fees.
Our recommended list can include both schemes that pay us and schemes that don’t — as long as they meet our analysis criteria.
Frequently asked questions.
The questions that come up most often. Can’t see yours? Talk to us.
Can I change my KiwiSaver provider?
What is a default KiwiSaver scheme?
How do I change my KiwiSaver provider?
Through BetterSaver, the process has three steps:
- Answer a few quick questions about your situation and preferences.
- Review your recommended scheme and compare options.
- Complete an application online — we pass it to the provider to finalise.
How long does switching KiwiSaver providers take?
Is my money out of the market when I switch KiwiSaver providers?
Can I change my KiwiSaver contribution rate?
Your information stays yours — used only to recommend, help you switch, and support you as a member, with secure online identity verification.
Ready to check your KiwiSaver?
We’ll ask a few quick questions and recommend a fund from our recommended list based on your situation and preferences. You stay in control the whole time.