Whether you’re a permanent employee, run your own business, freelance, or not currently in paid employment, there’s a KiwiSaver contribution option to suit.
How to contribute if you are a wage or salary earner
If you’re employed, your employer will arrange for your contributions to be paid directly from your wages or salary. You can choose to contribute 3%, 4%, 6%, 8% or 10%. If you are contributing from your wages or salary your employer will also contribute at least 3%. If you’re self-employed or not in paid employment, you can set up an automatic payment into your KiwiSaver account.
On 1 April 2026, the minimum employee and employer contribution rate of 3% will increase to 3.5%, and then to 4% on 1 April 2028. However, you can apply for a temporary rate reduction and contribute at a rate of 3%. There is no limit on the number of temporary rate reductions you can apply for.
Your contributions are automatically deducted from your pay by your employer who sends them, along with their employer contributions, to Inland Revenue. Inland Revenue will then forward the money to your KiwiSaver provider.
How to change your contribution rate
If you want to change your contribution rate, the best way to do this is to complete a KiwiSaver deduction form (KS2) and give it to your employer.
You can also request this change via your myIR account. Once you're logged in, click on 'More' in the KiwiSaver section and then click on 'Change KiwiSaver contribution rate'. Once you've made your changes, click 'Submit'. Inland Revenue will then advise your employer of the change.
Want to make voluntary contributions?
You can also make additional contributions to your KiwiSaver account whenever you like to give your retirement savings a boost. You can learn more about how to make one-off or regular contributions to your KiwiSaver account here.
How to contribute if you're self-employed or not employed
If you’re self-employed or not currently working you’re not required to contribute to your KiwiSaver account, however you can make one off or regular contributions. If you contribute to your KiwiSaver account you may be eligible for the annual government contribution of $260.72, paid directly to your KiwiSaver account. To receive the maximum amount, you’ll need to be aged between 16 and 65 and contribute $20 a week or $1,042.86 each year (some other conditions apply).
You can learn more about how make one off or regular contributions to your KiwiSaver account here.
If need any further information about how to contribute to KiwiSaver, please contact us, and we’ll be happy to help you out.