Making contributions

Automatic contributions

If you're in paid employment, you'll make contributions to your Booster KiwiSaver Scheme account directly from your salary or wages. The money comes out of your earnings before they're taxed – your 'gross' salary or wages.

You choose to contribute at one of the following rates:

• 3%
• 4%
• 6%
• 8%
• 10%

The default rate is 3% and this is the minimum you can contribute. To change your contribution rate, you'll need to let your employer know in writing by:

• a letter, telling them of your new contribution rate (either 3%, 4%, 6%, 8% or 10%) or
• completing a KiwiSaver deduction form (KS2) and giving it to your employer. You can find the form here. 

Extra contributions

You can also choose to top up your account through:

• online banking
• direct debit
• Inland Revenue.

This is a great way to add to your retirement savings – especially if you’re self-employed and don't pay yourself a salary or wages.

These voluntary contributions can also help ensure you receive a government contribution each year, if your employee contributions aren't quite enough.

Employer contributions

Your employer must contribute to your KiwiSaver, although there are some exceptions.

Your employer must pay in an amount that's equal to at least 3% of your 'gross' salary or wages – what you're paid before tax is taken off. Contributions can take up to 4-6 weeks to show in your KiwiSaver account.

Government contribution

Provided you're contributing, the government also contributes to your KiwiSaver. This takes the form of a government contribution each year.

You need to pay in a certain amount each year to make sure you get the full government contribution. It's not all or nothing though - you still get a portion of your government contribution if you put in less than the full amount.