How much you have to contribute to KiwiSaver

If you're employed, you can choose to contribute either 3%, 4% or 8% of your before-tax pay. Otherwise you can agree your contribution rate with your provider.

Employees

You can choose to contribute either 3%, 4% or 8% of your before-tax pay. If you don't choose an amount, the default rate of 3% will apply.

For KiwiSaver contributions your pay is your salary or wages.
 

This includes:

• allowances
• bonuses
• commission
• extra salary
• overtime
• gratuities
• any other remuneration of any kind before tax.

This doesn't include:

• redundancy payments
• the value of providing:
  • board or lodging, or
  • use of a house or part of a house, or
  • the payment of an allowance instead of the provision of this benefit
• the cost of accommodation overseas
• overseas living expenses and allowances
• some types of grants, pensions and benefits
• free or discounted shares received under an employee share scheme (also known as a share purchase agreement)
• payments under a Voluntary Bonding Scheme funded by the Ministry for Primary Industries, the Ministry of Health or the Ministry of Education.

Find out how to change your contribution rate.

Non-employees

If you're not an employee - for example, you're:

• self-employed
• a contractor
• not working
• receiving a benefit

then your contribution rate will be set out in the contract you have with your KiwiSaver provider. There may be:

• a minimum annual sum, or
• specific payment periods that apply, such as monthly or quarterly.