How to Join KiwiSaver: Enrolment, Auto-Enrolment and Opting Out

There are two ways into KiwiSaver: automatic enrolment by an employer when you start a new job, or joining directly with a KiwiSaver scheme provider. This page covers both, the opt-out window for new employees, and what to sort out in your first weeks in a new job.

Is KiwiSaver Compulsory?

No, but it can feel that way when you start a job. If you’re eligible, your employer automatically enrols you, and you stay in unless you opt out within the window Inland Revenue sets: “You cannot opt out in the first 13 days. You can opt out between the end of week 2 and week 8 of starting work. That is, on or after day 14, and on or before day 56” (IRD: Opting out of KiwiSaver). Every time you start new employment, you need to opt out again.

If you join directly with a provider, or opt in through your employer, you can’t opt out at all, though you might be able to take a savings suspension. Once you’re a member and contributing from your pay, your employer also has to make compulsory contributions, unless it already contributes to another superannuation fund for you.

Who Can Join KiwiSaver?

Inland Revenue describes KiwiSaver as open to “New Zealand residents, of any age, whether they are working or not” (IRD: Joining KiwiSaver).

Eligibility	Requirement
Citizenship/residency	A New Zealand citizen, or entitled to live in New Zealand indefinitely, and you live or normally live in New Zealand
Visa	You can’t join on a temporary, visitor, work or student visa (see KiwiSaver on a work visa)
Age	Any age; under-18s can only join through a scheme provider, not an employer
Employment	Not required: self-employed people and people who aren’t working can join
IRD number	Required for enrolment

Method 1: Automatic Enrolment When You Start a New Job

When you start a new job, your employer automatically enrols you in KiwiSaver if you’re eligible and all of these apply (IRD: Joining KiwiSaver as an employee):

you’re between the ages of 18 and 65
your job is full time or permanent part-time
you’re on a contract of more than 28 days (a temporary contract extended beyond 28 days enrols you on day 29)
you’re not already a KiwiSaver member.

Casual agricultural workers are enrolled after more than 3 months. IRD lists other cases where you won’t be automatically enrolled, such as election day workers, casual employees who receive holiday pay with their wages, and people only getting schedular payments (see KiwiSaver for contractors). If you aren’t automatically enrolled, you can join by asking your employer or directly with a provider.

How automatic enrolment works

You start a new job and your employer gives you the KiwiSaver information pack (KS3).
Deductions begin from your first pay at the default rate of 3.5% of your gross pay (raised from 3% on 1 April 2026), unless you choose another rate.
Inland Revenue puts you into your employer’s chosen scheme if it has one, otherwise a default provider’s scheme.
Inland Revenue holds your contributions for 2 months (62 days) from the date it’s told you’re a new member, then passes them on to your scheme provider.
From day 14 to day 56 you can opt out (see below). If you don’t, you stay in KiwiSaver.

Default providers

If you don’t choose a scheme and your employer has none, IRD allocates you to a default provider, whose default fund is a balanced fund. The KiwiSaver default fund guide explains how default providers are appointed and how to move out of a default fund; you can change scheme at any time.

Choosing your own provider at enrolment

You don’t have to wait for an allocation. Before you start a new job, or in your first few weeks, you can:

choose a provider
complete its membership application
tell your employer which scheme you’ve joined, so deductions go to it.

Starting a New Job: Checklist

Opt-out decision. If you don’t want to be in KiwiSaver, opt out on or after day 14 and on or before day 56 of starting work.
Contribution rate. Accept the 3.5% default or choose another rate by telling your employer in writing (a KS2 form works) (contribution rates explained).
Scheme. Accept the allocation or join a provider of your choice and tell your employer.
Fund type. Check which fund you’re in; the default fund of a government-appointed default provider is a balanced fund (KiwiSaver fund types explained).
Employer contributions. Check that your payslip shows your employer contributing at least 3.5% (employer KiwiSaver contributions).
PIR. Give your provider your prescribed investor rate (KiwiSaver PIR explained).
Government contribution. If you start mid-year, check whether your own contributions will reach $1,042.86 by 30 June (the KiwiSaver government contribution).

If you already have a KiwiSaver account from a previous job, it stays with your current provider: you don’t need to join again, but give your new employer a KS2 deduction form so they start deductions into the same account (re-enrolling in KiwiSaver covers people who opted out earlier).

Opting Out

The opt-out window runs from day 14 to day 56 after you start work; you can’t opt out in the first 13 days. You opt out with a KS10 form or through myIR. IRD may accept a late opt-out after 8 weeks and up to 3 months after it gets your first contribution in limited cases, for example if your employer didn’t give you the KS3 pack within 7 days of you starting, or you should not have been automatically enrolled.

Opting out also means no employer contributions while you’re out of KiwiSaver. The KiwiSaver opt-out guide covers the forms, refunds of contributions already made, and what happens if you miss the window.

Method 2: Join Directly With a Provider

If you’re not automatically enrolled (an existing employee, self-employed, contracting, or not working), you can join at any time by applying to a KiwiSaver scheme provider.

Step 1: Pick a provider and fund. Providers differ in fees, fund types, investment approach and online tools. The KiwiSaver fees comparison, KiwiSaver providers compared and KiwiSaver fund types explained set out the facts for each.

Step 2: Complete the membership application. Apply on the provider’s website. You’ll usually need:

your full name and date of birth
your IRD number (find it in myIR at ird.govt.nz)
contact details and NZ address
bank account details (for voluntary contributions)
your fund choice.

Step 3: Tell your employer (if you have one). An existing employee can ask their employer for the KS3 information pack and give them a completed KS2 deduction form; deductions start from your next pay at the rate you choose (3.5%, 4%, 6%, 8% or 10%). You can change the rate later by telling your employer in writing (a KS2 form works), in myIR or through your provider, or apply to IRD for a temporary reduction to 3%.

Step 4: Voluntary contributions (optional). You can pay into your account directly at any time (voluntary KiwiSaver contributions). Contributing $1,042.86 of your own money in a KiwiSaver year (1 July to 30 June) gets the maximum government contribution.

Self-employed people

Self-employed people join directly with a provider and pay contributions themselves, with no employer contribution. The KiwiSaver for self-employed guide covers paying in, the government contribution and setting your own contribution amount.

Children

A child can only join through a scheme provider, not an employer: under 16, a legal guardian consents and contacts the provider on the child’s behalf; at 16 or 17, a guardian co-signs. The KiwiSaver for kids guide covers enrolling a newborn or child and what changes at 16 and 18.

What Happens After You Enrol

Your contributions. For employees, deductions are taken from each pay and sent to Inland Revenue, which passes them on to your provider. Your employer contributes as well, less employer superannuation contribution tax (ESCT); see employer KiwiSaver contributions.

Your membership details. Your provider gives you a member number, and your IRD number links your KiwiSaver record; how to find your KiwiSaver number explains where each appears.

The government contribution. From age 16, the government adds up to $260.72 a year when you contribute enough of your own money; the government contribution guide covers the threshold and eligibility.

Your balance. You can see your balance through your provider’s website or app (myIR shows the contributions paid to IRD, not your balance); how to check your KiwiSaver balance covers each method.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is KiwiSaver compulsory? No. Automatic enrolment applies when you start a new job, but you can opt out from day 14 to day 56. If you joined directly or opted in, you can’t opt out, though you might be able to take a savings suspension.

Can I join KiwiSaver if I’m not working? Yes. KiwiSaver membership isn’t tied to employment. You join directly with a provider and contribute at your own pace. Employer contributions only apply to employees.

What IRD number do I need? Your own New Zealand IRD number. If you don’t have one and you’re in New Zealand, you can apply through myIR at ird.govt.nz (you then verify your identity with an AA Driver Licensing agent) or with an IR595 paper form. IRD numbers are issued free of charge.

Can I choose any provider I want? Yes. You can join any KiwiSaver scheme that’s open to new members. You don’t have to use your bank, a default provider or your employer’s chosen scheme, and you can change scheme at any time.

What if I already have a KiwiSaver account from a previous job? Your existing account follows you: KiwiSaver isn’t tied to an employer. Your balance, contribution history and membership date continue. Fill in a KiwiSaver deduction form (KS2) and give it to your new employer so deductions go to the same account. If you’re not sure which provider you’re with, myIR shows it.

Can I be in more than one KiwiSaver scheme? No. You can only be a member of one KiwiSaver scheme at a time. If you end up with savings in two schemes, the provider you want to keep arranges the transfer from the other.