Guide
Average KiwiSaver balance by age
How does your KiwiSaver stack up against other New Zealanders your age? The Retirement Commission's annual demographic study covers about 98% of all KiwiSaver members, so it's the most complete picture available. Here are the latest average balances by age band — and what to do if you're behind.
Last checked October 2026
The headline numbers
The average KiwiSaver balance across all members is $41,286, based on data collected as at 31 December 2025 — up 11.3% on the year before. The scheme now holds over $138 billion in total, and balances have risen roughly 51% since 2022.
But averages hide a wide spread. About a third of all members still have less than $10,000 saved, while around 450,000 members — roughly 15% — have more than $80,000. Where you sit depends mostly on your age, your income, and how consistently you've contributed.
Average balance by age band
The table below shows the average (mean) balance for each age group, from the study covering about 3.35 million members.
Balances climb steadily through the working years and peak around ages 61–65, just before most people start drawing on their savings. The very high average for the 86+ group is skewed by a small number of members with large balances — treat that figure with caution.
| Age band | Average balance |
|---|---|
| 17 and under | $3,512 |
| 18–25 | $10,567 |
| 26–30 | $21,308 |
| 31–35 | $26,231 |
| 36–40 | $33,070 |
| 41–45 | $43,187 |
| 46–50 | $55,010 |
| 51–55 | $65,873 |
| 56–60 | $72,861 |
| 61–65 | $77,927 |
| 66–70 | $72,503 |
| 71–75 | $72,114 |
| 76–80 | $73,530 |
| 81–85 | $85,553 |
| 86 and over | $194,276 |
| All ages | $41,286 |
Why averages can mislead
These are mean averages, so a small number of very large balances pull each figure up. If you're a bit below the average for your age, you may still be in a typical position — the median member almost certainly holds less than the mean.
The biggest driver of the gap isn't investment returns — it's contributing at all. Members who are currently contributing hold an average balance of $50,727, compared with $19,553 for non-contributing members. That's a 2.6-times difference, and it compounds every year you stay out.
The gender gap
Men's average balance is $47,452 and women's is $38,212 — a gap of 24%, or about $9,240. The gap widens to 36% among members aged 56–65, just before retirement.
The research is clear on why: women are actually slightly more likely to contribute, and contribute the same percentage of pay. The gap reflects the gender pay gap and time out of paid work, not saving behaviour. Settings that reduce contribution interruptions — like continuing contributions during paid parental leave — matter more than fund choice here.
Behind the average? What actually moves the needle
- Restart contributions if you're on a savings suspension — even the minimum rate rebuilds the habit and unlocks employer and government money.
- Collect the full government contribution: contribute at least $1,042.86 a year to receive the maximum top-up.
- Check your fund type matches your timeframe. A 30-year-old in a conservative fund may end up tens of thousands behind a growth fund by 65, purely from lower long-run returns.
- Check your fees. A 1% higher fee on a $40,000 balance can cost well over $50,000 across a working life.
- Make sure you're on the right PIR so you're not overpaying tax on your returns.
Get the full government contributionSee what fees cost over a lifetimeCheck your PIR
What your balance could become
A balance is a snapshot — what matters is the trajectory. A 35-year-old with the average $26,231, contributing 3.5% plus a 3.5% employer match on a $70,000 salary, could plausibly reach a six-figure balance by 65 in a growth fund, before counting any pay rises.
Use the retirement income planner to see how your current balance, contributions and NZ Super combine into a weekly income — and the fund finder to check whether your fund's fees and risk level fit that plan.