KiwiSaver Calculator
See what your KiwiSaver savings could look like by the time you retire. Enter your details to estimate your future balance and explore how your contributions, fund type and retirement age may affect the result.
- Fund type
- Growth
- Balance at 65
- $397,690
- Weekly amount
- $413
KiwiSaver fund type
Assumptions
This calculator provides an estimate based on the information you enter and the assumptions outlined below. These assumptions are based on current standard KiwiSaver retirement projection guidance and may be updated when KiwiSaver settings or projection requirements change.
Contributions and income
- Your current KiwiSaver balance is assumed to remain invested until your selected retirement age.
- If you are employed, your salary is assumed to increase by 3.5% each year.
- Employee contributions are assumed to increase in line with your salary.
- Regular voluntary contributions are assumed to continue at the amount entered.
- If you are self-employed or not working, regular contributions are assumed to increase in line with inflation.
- Contributions are assumed to continue without a savings suspension.
- Employer contributions are included at the rate entered and are reduced by the applicable employer superannuation contribution tax.
- Employer contributions are assumed to stop when you turn 65.
- Any government contribution included in the result is based on the eligibility rules and maximum contribution applying at the time of calculation.
Investment returns
- The calculator applies an assumed annual return based on the selected KiwiSaver fund type. These returns are estimates after fees and tax and are not guaranteed.
- The calculator does not ask for your prescribed investor rate. It works the rate out from the income you enter, using the standard PIR thresholds. The returns below are the rates for a 28% PIR; a lower PIR earns slightly more.
| Fund type | Assumed annual return |
|---|---|
| Defensive | 1.5% |
| Conservative | 2.5% |
| Balanced | 3.5% |
| Growth | 4.5% |
| Aggressive | 5.5% |
Actual returns may be higher or lower, and your KiwiSaver balance can rise or fall.
Inflation
- Inflation is assumed to be 2% a year. When the result is shown in today's dollars, it reflects the estimated future buying power of your KiwiSaver savings after allowing for inflation.
- Your projected balance may therefore appear lower than the nominal dollar amount that could appear in your KiwiSaver account at retirement.
Withdrawals and savings suspensions
The calculator assumes:
- You do not make a first-home withdrawal.
- You do not make an early withdrawal for financial hardship, serious illness or another permitted reason.
- You do not take a KiwiSaver savings suspension.
- You do not make any additional lump-sum withdrawals before retirement.
Any withdrawal or period without contributions could reduce your projected retirement balance.
Estimated retirement income
The weekly retirement income figure assumes:
- Withdrawals begin at your selected retirement age.
- Your KiwiSaver savings remain invested during retirement.
- Regular withdrawals continue until age 90.
- The remaining balance continues to earn the stated after-tax and after-fee investment return.
- The income shown is in today's dollars.
- Your KiwiSaver balance is gradually used up over the retirement period.
- The estimated retirement income does not include New Zealand Superannuation, other investments, savings, property income or any other sources of retirement income.
Important information
- The results are estimates only and are not guaranteed. Actual outcomes will depend on factors including your contributions, salary, investment performance, fund choice, fees, tax, withdrawals, government policy and personal circumstances.
- This calculator provides general information and does not constitute personalised financial advice or a recommendation to join, leave or select a particular KiwiSaver scheme or fund.
What could your KiwiSaver be worth at retirement?
KiwiSaver is designed to help New Zealanders save for retirement. Your future balance can be affected by how much you and your employer contribute, your current balance, the time you have until retirement, your fund type, investment returns, fees and tax.
Our KiwiSaver retirement calculator can help you understand whether your current savings may be on track for the retirement you have in mind. You can also adjust the figures to see how making additional contributions or changing your retirement age could affect your projected balance.
The result is an estimate rather than a guarantee. KiwiSaver returns can rise or fall, and your actual balance will depend on your contributions, investment performance, fees, tax, withdrawals and personal circumstances.
Understanding your KiwiSaver projection
A KiwiSaver projection shows what may happen if the information entered and the calculator’s assumptions remain broadly accurate. It is intended to help with planning and should not be treated as a prediction of your actual investment performance.
Small changes made over a long period can have a significant effect on the final result. Increasing your contributions, making regular voluntary payments or retiring later may increase your projected balance. Withdrawing money, taking a savings suspension or experiencing lower investment returns may reduce it.
Your fund type can also affect the projection. Funds with a higher allocation to growth assets may have greater long-term return potential, but their value can also move up and down more significantly. The right fund will depend on factors including your investment timeframe, objectives and willingness to accept risk.
What can affect your KiwiSaver balance?
Your contribution rate
The amount you regularly contribute can make a substantial difference over time. If your circumstances allow, you can use the calculator to compare different contribution rates and see how they may affect your projected retirement savings.
Employer and government contributions
Eligible KiwiSaver members may receive employer and government contributions. The amounts and eligibility requirements can change, so the calculator should clearly state which contributions have been included in its projection.
Your investment fund
Different KiwiSaver funds invest in different combinations of assets. Defensive and conservative funds generally have lower expected volatility, while growth and aggressive funds may experience larger short-term movements in exchange for greater potential long-term returns.
Fees, tax and investment returns
Fees and tax can reduce the amount your investment earns. Actual investment returns will also vary from year to year and may be higher or lower than the assumptions used by the calculator.
Time until retirement
The longer your money remains invested, the more time your contributions and investment returns have to accumulate. Starting early can make a meaningful difference, even when the amount contributed regularly is relatively modest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most calculators assume no money is withdrawn before retirement. If you plan to use KiwiSaver for a first home, factor that in — a withdrawal could reduce your projected retirement balance.
Unless the calculator specifically shows NZ Super, treat the projection as a KiwiSaver estimate only. NZ Super eligibility and payment rates are separate and may change over time.
Increasing your contribution rate puts more into your account each pay cycle. Over time, those extra contributions and any returns they earn can meaningfully increase your projected retirement balance.
Different fund types carry different assumed returns. Growth and aggressive funds generally have higher long-term return potential but can move up and down more significantly. The right fund depends on your timeframe, goals, and comfort with risk.
Most members can withdraw at 65. Earlier withdrawals may be available for an eligible first-home purchase, significant financial hardship, serious illness, or qualifying permanent emigration.
No. Projections are estimates based on the information entered and the calculator's assumptions. Actual returns, fees, tax, contributions, and withdrawals may all differ.
Your future balance depends on how much you and your employer contribute, your current balance, your fund type, investment returns, fees, and tax. A KiwiSaver calculator can help estimate where you might end up, though the result is an estimate rather than a guarantee.
Take the next step with your KiwiSaver
Your KiwiSaver settings can have a meaningful effect on your long-term financial position. An Invicta Financial adviser can help you review your contribution rate, fund selection and retirement objectives.
