Guide
KiwiSaver government contribution: how to get the full amount
Every year the government tops up eligible KiwiSaver members' accounts. It used to be up to $521.43, but from 1 July 2025 the rules changed: the rate halved, high earners were cut out, and 16 and 17 year olds were brought in. Here is how it works now, and the one number you need to hit before 30 June to get the full amount.
Last checked October 2026
How much you get now
For each KiwiSaver year (1 July to 30 June), the government pays 25 cents for every dollar you contribute yourself, up to a maximum of $260.72. To get the full $260.72 you need to contribute at least $1,042.86 during the year. That works out to about $20.06 a week.
Before 1 July 2025 the rate was 50 cents per dollar, up to $521.43. If you have read older articles or seen older calculators, that is why the numbers differ.
- Contribute $1,042.86 or more: you get $260.72 (the maximum).
- Contribute $600: you get $150.
- Contribute $0: you get nothing. Employer contributions do not count.
Who qualifies
If you joined or turned 65 partway through the year, the maximum is reduced in proportion to the time you were eligible.
- You are aged 16 or over and under NZ Super age (65). 16 and 17 year olds became eligible from 1 July 2025.
- You mainly live in New Zealand.
- Your taxable income for the year is $180,000 or less. Earn more than that and you get no government contribution for that year.
- You make member contributions yourself. Only your own contributions count, through pay deductions or voluntary payments.
Who should check their contributions before 30 June
Most full-time employees on 3% or more hit $1,042.86 automatically. The people who miss out tend to be in one of these groups:
- Self-employed people and contractors, who have no automatic pay deductions.
- Part-time workers, students and anyone on a low income, where 3–4% of pay adds up to less than $1,042.86.
- People on parental leave, between jobs, or on a savings suspension during the year.
- Non-earners, such as stay-at-home parents, who can still get the top-up if they pay in voluntarily.
How to top up in time
A regular automatic payment of about $20 a week, or $87 a month, covers it without a last-minute rush.
- 1. Check what you have contributed so far this year in myIR or your provider's app.
- 2. Work out the gap: $1,042.86 minus what you have paid in so far.
- 3. Pay the difference as a voluntary contribution, either straight to your provider or to IRD using your IRD number as the reference.
- 4. Pay well before 30 June. Payments through IRD can take a few days to process, and money must arrive within the KiwiSaver year to count.
When it is paid
You do not need to apply. After the year ends on 30 June, your provider tells IRD how much you contributed, and IRD pays the government contribution into your account, usually between July and September. It shows up on your statement as a government contribution.
The government contribution is tax-free, but it is locked in. It cannot be taken out for a hardship withdrawal, although it can be used for a first home and is yours at 65.
Is it still worth it?
Yes. A guaranteed 25% return on your first $1,042.86 is still one of the best deals in personal finance. Over 40 years, an extra $260 a year invested in a balanced fund could add up to well over $20,000 by retirement. Fees and fund choice affect that number, so it is worth checking both.