How much does the employer contribute to KiwiSaver?

Employers must contribute at least 3% of your gross salary if you contribute. This is the compulsory minimum on top of your own contribution, though some employers pay more or treat it as part of total remuneration.

What is the KiwiSaver member tax credit?

The government pays 50 cents for every dollar you contribute, up to a maximum of NZ$521.43 per year. You claim the full amount once your own contributions reach NZ$1,042.86 in the KiwiSaver year (1 July to 30 June).

When can I get NZ Super?

NZ Superannuation is paid from age 65 to most residents regardless of how much they have in KiwiSaver. The rate depends on your relationship status and living situation and is updated every April.

Is the 4% drawdown rule safe?

The 4% rule is a common starting estimate for sustainable withdrawals, not a guarantee. Your safe rate depends on market returns, inflation, fees and how long you live, so treat the drawdown figure as a rough guide.

Does this calculator store my data?

No. Every figure is calculated in your browser with JavaScript. Nothing you enter is uploaded or saved anywhere, so your salary and balance stay private.

New Zealand Pension & Retirement Calculator

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This New Zealand retirement calculator projects how much you will have at age 65 by combining your KiwiSaver contributions, the compulsory employer match, and the government member tax credit, then layering NZ Super on top. Everything runs in your browser.

How it works

Three streams flow into your KiwiSaver account each year:

Your contribution. A percentage of gross salary that you choose: 3% (the minimum), 4%, 6%, 8% or 10%.
Employer match. Employers must add at least 3% of your gross salary when you contribute.
Member tax credit. The government pays 50c per $1 you contribute, capped at NZ$521.43 per year (fully claimed once you contribute NZ$1,042.86 yourself).

The combined annual amount is compounded to age 65 using your expected return, with contributions growing each year by your salary-growth rate. The model uses a future-value loop: each year the balance grows by the return rate, then that year’s contribution is added.

At retirement the tool applies a 4% sustainable drawdown to the projected pot and adds NZ Super (shown here at the single, living-alone rate) for a combined first-year income.

Example

A 35-year-old on NZ$70,000 contributing 3% adds $2,100 of their own money. The employer adds $2,100, and the member tax credit adds $521. That is roughly $4,721 going in during year one, before salary growth and investment returns compound it over 30 years.

Notes

This is an estimate. NZ Super rates change every April and vary by relationship status. The member tax credit cap is fixed at NZ$521.43. Investment returns are never guaranteed, and the 4% drawdown is a planning rule of thumb, not advice. For personalised figures, check the official Sorted and Work and Income tools.