KiwiSaver Calculator NZ 2026

What changed for KiwiSaver in 2026

From 1 April 2026, the default employee contribution rate and the minimum compulsory employer contribution rose from 3% to 3.5%. Employees can choose 3.5%, 4%, 6%, 8% or 10%. A temporary reduction to 3% can be approved for 3 to 12 months, but this calculator models the standard published rates rather than a temporary certificate.

The scheduled minimum rises again to 4% from 1 April 2028. When you select today's 3.5% minimum, the projection applies that legislated increase automatically unless you switch it off for comparison.

Employer contributions are reduced by ESCT

A 3.5% employer contribution is not normally the amount that arrives in your KiwiSaver account. Employer superannuation contribution tax, or ESCT, is deducted first. The applicable 2026 rate is based on salary or wages plus gross employer superannuation contributions, generally using the previous tax year or a current-year estimate for a newer employee.

This calculator shows gross employer money, ESCT and the net employer amount separately. Payroll can differ where a contribution is treated as salary under PAYE, a total-remuneration agreement applies, or the employer uses information not captured here.

The government contribution is smaller than it used to be

For the member credit year beginning 1 July 2025, an eligible member receives 25 cents for each dollar of their own contribution, up to $260.72. Reaching the maximum requires at least $1,042.86 of eligible personal contributions. Employer contributions do not count.

Eligibility is generally limited to members aged 16 to 64 with annual taxable income of $180,000 or less who meet the residence and membership conditions. Partial eligibility years can be prorated. The projection assumes each modelled year is a complete eligible year; confirm the actual credit with your provider.

Why the fund choices use 1.5% to 5.5%

The Financial Markets Authority publishes standard long-term projection assumptions after fees and after tax at a 28% prescribed investor rate: 1.5% defensive, 2.5% conservative, 3.5% balanced, 4.5% growth and 5.5% aggressive. They are government-set assumptions for comparable projections, not promised returns.

The projection also uses 3.5% annual pay growth and 2% inflation, matching the standard assumptions described by the FMA. Results are shown in both future dollars and today's purchasing power.

How the weekly retirement estimate works

The weekly figure spreads the inflation-adjusted age-65 balance over 25 years, to age 90, while the remaining balance earns the FMA's 2.5% post-65 annual return assumption after fees and tax. New Zealand Superannuation and other assets or income are not included.

This is an educational scenario, not financial advice or a provider statement. Actual balances depend on fund performance, fees, tax rate, contribution history, withdrawals, savings suspensions, employment terms and future law.

What is deliberately outside this calculator

The tool does not model first-home or hardship withdrawals, savings suspensions, partial member-credit years, historic employer contributions, exact payday rounding, a member-specific prescribed investor rate, or every total-remuneration arrangement.

It asks for no IRD number, provider login or account identity. Calculations run in your browser. Use your payslip and provider statement as the authoritative record and check unusual employment arrangements with Inland Revenue, your employer or a licensed financial adviser.