KiwiSaver - "Missing Millions"?

Thu May 4th 2017

Are you missing out on your share of $300 million?

Last year, more than half of the New Zealanders signed up to KiwiSaver missed out on earning any of the contribution money matched by the government – effectively saying 'no' to their share of more than $300 million.

According to Inland Revenue, nearly 600 000 Kiwi adults didn't earn their full KiwiSaver government subsidy in the last year (to June 30 2016) and almost as many adults didn't receive any of the subsidy at all. This means fewer than fifty percent of New Zealanders are getting the full benefits available to them through saving for their retirement with KiwiSaver. Since 2012, more than $800 million in member tax credits has been skipped!

In case you're not sure how the KiwiSaver scheme works: for every dollar you contribute, the government matches it with 50c, up to a maximum of $521.43 a year. Over forty years, that extra $521 from the government adds up to more than $20,000 – it's essentially 'free' money for your retirement fund. All you have to do to earn it, is make sure you're contributing enough to qualify!

To get your full government contribution, you need to contribute $1 043 to KiwiSaver every year, which works out to be less than $3 per day. But remember, if that's not currently possible for you, every dollar you contribute will still earn you an extra 50c from the government. And in this case, something is definitely better than nothing!

What you need to know to earn your contributions:

It only takes about $2.80 a day, or $20 per week to earn your full government contribution. So make sure your contribution rate from your pay check at least matches this, or if you're self-employed, make sure your contributions match this.

If you earn under $35k per year, check to make sure your contribution rate is at least 4%.

You can make a one-off top up to ensure your total contribution is enough. Each year before June 30, check how much you've contributed (your provider can tell you this easily) and do a top up to reach $1 043 and make sure you get the full $521 subsidy.

Even if you can't afford to put in $1 043 it's worth putting in whatever you can, because every dollar you contribute is matched by 50c from the government, up to the maximum $521.

Earn the full contribution by saving the equivalent of:

- Half a large latte a day

- 1 fish and chip dinner a week

- A movie ticket and an ice cream a week

- A tuck-shop pie a day

- 2 sausage sizzle sausages a day

- A turn on a spacie machine a day

- A nice bottle of wine a week

Need extra help making sure you're making the right contributions and in the right fund? Get in touch with the experts at Cave Financial. Call them on 09 302 7310 or email cavefinancial@qbg.co.nz