07/04/2026
1. Default contribution rate increased
• Minimum contribution rate increased from 3% → 3.5%
• Applies to both employee and employer
• Applies to all paydays from 1 April 2026
👉 Example:
If you earn $70,000:
• Old: $2,100/year (3%)
• New: $2,450/year (3.5%)
2. Automatic change (no action needed)
• If you were on 3%, it automatically increases to 3.5%
• Payroll systems will update this automatically
3. Option to stay at 3% (temporary)
• You can apply to Inland Revenue for a temporary rate reduction to 3%
• Valid for 3 to 12 months
• Can be renewed multiple times
👉 Important:
• Employer may match your reduced 3% (not necessarily 3.5%)
4. 16–17-year-olds now eligible for employer contributions
• From April 2026, employers must contribute for eligible 16 & 17-year-olds
5. Future change already planned
• Default rate will increase again:
• 3.5% → 4% from 1 April 2028
Temporary Rate Reduction
Employees can apply for a temporary rate reduction if they want to lower their KiwiSaver contribution rate to 3% for 3 months to a year. If employees have more than 1 employer, employees can choose which of them to give notice of the rate reduction to.
Employees cannot apply for a temporary rate reduction if they have a savings suspension.
Employees need show an acceptance letter to employer that shows the start and end dates of temporary rate reduction. Employees need to show it to their employer to get them to reduce teir rate.
N.B: Employer can’t apply for reduction rate for employee. Employee can apply for reduction rate & need to show acceptance letter to employer.