How to join KiwiSaver if you are:
- Self-employed
- Under 18
- Not working
Self-employed
Just because you’re self-employed doesn’t mean you have to miss out on KiwiSaver and some of the great benefits it has to offer. To join KiwiSaver, you’ll need to select a scheme provider and apply directly. You’ll need to check the minimum contribution amount and the conditions of your membership with your scheme provider (you can do this by requesting a copy of their investment statement).
As a KiwiSaver member, you’ll receive a one-off kick-start of $1,000. If you’re regularly contributing to KiwiSaver (and over 18), you’ll also receive an annual member tax credit to your KiwiSaver account of up to $20 per week. Conditions apply.
If you’ve been a member of KiwiSaver for three years you may be able to withdraw your savings (excluding the $1,000 kick-start and member tax credits) to put towards buying your first home. Conditions apply. If you qualify, you may be entitled to a first home deposit subsidy of up to $5,000. For more information and eligibility criteria visit www.hnzc.govt.nz.
After 12 months of contributing to KiwiSaver, you may also be able to divert part of your savings towards paying off the mortgage on your home (‘mortgage diversion’). Conditions apply. Not all KiwiSaver providers offer mortgage diversion; so if you’re interested in this option, Contact Us to find out more.
Under 18
Joining KiwiSaver early can be a great way to get a head start on your retirement savings and take advantage of the help offered to first homebuyers when you get older. If you’re under 18 years of age (or a parent wishing to enrol their child in KiwiSaver), you can simply select a KiwiSaver scheme provider and apply directly.
Under 18s are entitled to the one-off kick-start of $1,000 (but are not entitled to member tax credits). You’ll need to check the minimum contribution amount and the conditions of your membership with your chosen scheme provider (you can do this by requesting a copy of their investment statement).
Contact Us to find out more.
Not working
If you’re not working and wish to join KiwiSaver, you can simply select a scheme provider and apply directly. You’ll need to check the minimum contribution amount and the conditions of your membership with your scheme provider (you can do this by requesting a copy of their investment statement). You can make contributions directly to your scheme provider, or via Inland Revenue.
As a KiwiSaver member, you’ll receive a one-off kick-start of $1,000. If you’re regularly contributing to KiwiSaver (and over 18), you’ll also receive an annual member tax credit to your KiwiSaver account of up to $20 per week. Conditions apply. If you qualify, you may be entitled to a first home deposit subsidy of up to $5,000 (for more information and eligibility criteria visit www.hnzc.govt.nz).
If you decide to join KiwiSaver and later become an employee, contributions will be deducted from your salary or wages, unless you take a contributions holiday.
Contact Us to find out more.
The information on this web page is a summary of KiwiSaver only and is believed to be accurate at the time of release (April 2009). Please refer to www.kiwisaver.govt.nz or www.amp.co.nz for more information. AMP Services (NZ) Ltd, The New Zealand Guardian Trust Company Limited and related companies do not accept liability for, or consequence, of any error or omission.
A disclosure statement is available on request and free of charge.