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Answer a few quick questions
We ask about your timeframe, how you’d feel about your balance going up and down, and any preferences around how your money is invested. The aim is to find a scheme that fits you, not just your age.
Getting started
Joining KiwiSaver starts with choosing a scheme.
If you haven’t joined KiwiSaver yet, you’re not alone - but the sooner you do, the sooner employer contributions and government top-ups start working for you.
The catch: if you don’t choose a provider yourself, one gets chosen for you. BetterSaver helps you find a scheme that actually fits your situation, then guides you through joining online.
Eligibility
Who can join KiwiSaver.
KiwiSaver is open to you if you are:
A New Zealand citizen, or entitled to live in New Zealand indefinitely
Living in New Zealand, or normally resident here.
Any age — there’s no upper age limit, though the government contribution and compulsory employer contributions stop at 65.
You’re generally not eligible if you’re an undischarged bankrupt or don’t meet the residency criteria. Inland Revenue publishes the full KiwiSaver eligibility rules.
Why join
Should I join KiwiSaver?
For most people in New Zealand, yes. KiwiSaver isn’t just a savings account - it comes with contributions from your employer and from the government that you don’t get anywhere else.Employer contributions.
If you’re employed, your employer must contribute a minimum of 3.5% of your before-tax pay on top of your own contributions. That’s money you don’t get if you save elsewhere.
Government contributions.
The government adds 25 cents for every dollar you contribute, up to $260.72 a year. To get the full amount you need to contribute at least $1,042.86 between 1 July and 30 June, and earn $180,000 or less.
First home withdrawal.
After three years in KiwiSaver, you may be able to withdraw most of your savings to put toward buying your first home. There are eligibility conditions - but for many first-home buyers, it’s a meaningful contribution to a deposit.
If you’re self-employed.
You don’t get employer contributions, but you still get the government contribution, and you can contribute at whatever rate works for you. Joining is still worth considering, especially if you’re thinking about a first home or long-term retirement savings.
How it works
How to join KiwiSaver through BetterSaver.
You don’t need to know which provider you want before you start. That’s what BetterSaver is for.
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See your recommended options
We show you a scheme that matches your profile and meets our analysis criteria. You can compare it against others side by side, in plain English.
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Apply online
Complete an application on the BetterSaver website. We pass it to your chosen provider to finalise. Most people are done in under 5 minutes.
Before you start
What you’ll need to join KiwiSaver.
Having these handy keeps things moving.
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.
Automatic enrolment
What if I’m automatically enrolled through work?
When you start a new job, your employer is required to automatically enrol you in KiwiSaver unless you opt out within the first few weeks. If you don’t choose a provider, you’re assigned to one of six government-selected default schemes.
You can opt out - but for most people, staying in makes financial sense given the employer contributions and government top-up. What you don’t have to accept is the default scheme. You can choose your own provider from day one, or switch after the fact.
Ready to join
Ready to choose your KiwiSaver scheme?
We’ll ask a few quick questions and recommend a scheme from our shortlist based on your situation. You stay in control the whole time.
BetterSaver assesses every KiwiSaver scheme in New Zealand using data from Morningstar and fund providers, and we publish our reasoning in full — including the schemes that don’t make the cut and why.
Want to see the method first? Read how we analyse KiwiSaver schemes.
BetterSaver is a licensed Financial Advice Provider (FSP 600609). Our advice is based on the information you provide and the information available about each scheme at the time. All investing involves risk — KiwiSaver values can go up and down, and past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.
Frequently asked questions.
The questions that come up most often. Can’t see yours? Talk to us.
Who can join KiwiSaver?
KiwiSaver is open to New Zealand citizens, and to anyone entitled to live in New Zealand indefinitely, who lives or normally lives here. There’s no upper age limit, so you can join at 65 or older. From 65, you won’t get the government contribution, and your employer doesn’t have to contribute, but you can still make your own contributions.
If you’re self-employed, between jobs or returning from overseas, you can still join. You just won’t get employer contributions unless you’re employed.
Should I join KiwiSaver?
For most people in New Zealand, yes. If you’re employed, your employer has to contribute at least 3.5% of your gross pay on top of your own contributions. The government also adds 25 cents for every $1 you contribute, up to $260.72 a year, as long as you earn $180,000 or less.
You won’t get these extra contributions anywhere else. If money gets tight later, you can apply for a savings suspension to pause your contributions for a while.
How do I apply for KiwiSaver?
Through BetterSaver, you can apply online in three steps:
- Answer a few quick questions about your situation.
- Review your recommended scheme.
- Complete an application - we pass it to the provider to finalise.
Can I join KiwiSaver if I’m self-employed?
Yes. If you’re self-employed, you can join KiwiSaver and pay in whatever amount suits you, as often as you like. You won’t get employer contributions, but you can still get the government contribution of up to $260.72 a year.
To get the full amount, you need to contribute at least $1,042.86 between 1 July and 30 June, and earn $180,000 or less.
How do I open a KiwiSaver account without an employer?
What is the difference between joining and being automatically enrolled?
How long does it take to join KiwiSaver?
Start your KiwiSaver the right way
Tell us a bit about yourself and we’ll recommend a KiwiSaver scheme that fits your situation — then guide you through joining online.
Get my KiwiSaver recommendationTakes 2–5 minutes & It’s free