If you opted out of KiwiSaver, or never joined, you can join (again) at any time, and starting a new job may enrol you automatically. If you were already a member and just stopped contributing, you don’t need to re-enrol at all. This page covers each case and what happens to any earlier balance.
Who Needs to Re-Enrol?
- You opted out. Opting out is normally possible only early in a job: Inland Revenue’s window is “on or after day 14, and on or before day 56” of starting work, with late opt-outs accepted only in specific cases (IRD: Opting out of KiwiSaver). Your contributions were refunded, so to be in KiwiSaver now you join again.
- You never joined. The same routes apply as for a first-time member; see how to join KiwiSaver.
You don’t need to re-enrol if you were a member and:
- changed jobs or stopped working (membership doesn’t end when employment does, and your balance stays with your provider)
- took a savings suspension (you’re still a member; see below)
- joined directly with a provider (IRD says you then can’t opt out, but you might be able to take a savings suspension)
Whether joining again is worthwhile is a trade-off between the employer and government contributions on one side and locking money away until 65 or a first home on the other; is KiwiSaver worth it? sets out both sides.
Automatic Re-Enrolment at Each New Job
If you’re not a KiwiSaver member when you start new employment, your employer automatically enrols you if you’re eligible (for example, aged 18 to 65), even if you opted out at an earlier job. IRD says: “Every time you start new employment, you’ll need to opt out again.” So:
- to stay in this time, do nothing: deductions start from your pay and your employer contributes
- to stay out, opt out again between day 14 and day 56 of the new job
The opt-out steps and refunds are in the KiwiSaver opt-out guide, and how automatic enrolment works for new employees is in how to join KiwiSaver.
Rejoining Without a New Job
To rejoin while staying in your current job, or if you’re self-employed or not working, you join directly with a KiwiSaver provider:
- Choose a provider. KiwiSaver providers lists the schemes, and KiwiSaver fees compared sets out their fees.
- Apply with the provider, giving your IRD number and personal details.
- If you’re employed, tell your employer you’ve joined, so they can start deductions from your pay.
- Choose your contribution rate: 3.5%, 4%, 6%, 8% or 10% of pay (3.5% is the default since 1 April 2026, up from 3%). If you’re self-employed, you pay contributions directly instead; see KiwiSaver for self employed people.
Does Earlier Membership Count?
First-home withdrawal: the first-home withdrawal needs at least 3 years in KiwiSaver. Changing jobs or taking a break doesn’t end your membership. If you opted out and later rejoin, ask your provider how your membership period is counted before relying on a date. First home withdrawal eligibility has the full criteria.
Government contribution: it’s worked out on what you contribute between 1 July and 30 June. In the year you join, it’s pro-rated: IRD lists “you join part-way through the year” among the reasons you won’t get the full contribution, and bases it on the days you were an eligible member (IRD: Getting the government contribution). From the next full year, contributing $1,042.86 earns the maximum $260.72.
Restarting After a Savings Suspension
A savings suspension pauses contributions from your pay without ending your membership, so there’s nothing to re-enrol in: deductions restart when the suspension ends. How long a suspension lasts, whether you can end one early and whether you can apply for another are covered on the KiwiSaver savings suspension page.
An Old Balance With a Previous Provider
If you’ve been a member before and still have a balance, it stays with your current provider until you move it, and new contributions go to that account. You can transfer to another provider at any time; the new provider arranges it. If you’ve lost track of an old account, see finding a lost KiwiSaver account.
Common Re-Enrolment Scenarios
“I opted out at 18 and I’m now 28. How do I rejoin?” Join directly with a provider, or stay in when you’re automatically enrolled at your next new job. If you’re thinking about a first-home withdrawal later, ask your provider how your membership period will be counted, since you opted out before.
“I changed jobs and was automatically enrolled again, but I opted out before. Do I need to opt out again?” Yes, if you still don’t want to be in KiwiSaver: opt out between day 14 and day 56 of the new job. If you do nothing, you stay in.
“My savings suspension ended and contributions are coming out of my pay again.” That’s expected: deductions restart when a suspension ends. The savings suspension page covers applying again.
“I’m self-employed. How do I rejoin?” Join directly with a provider and pay contributions to the provider or through Inland Revenue. There’s no employer contribution, but the government contribution applies to what you contribute.
After Re-Enrolling
- Check which fund you’re in (a default fund if you didn’t choose one); KiwiSaver fund types explained describes each type
- Check your contribution rate on your payslip
- Check your prescribed investor rate (PIR) with your provider; see KiwiSaver PIR rate explained
- Check that your employer’s contributions are arriving, in myIR or with your provider
- Note 30 June, the end of the KiwiSaver year for the government contribution