KiwiSaver for the self-employed

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If you are self-employed 1, and under age 65, you can join KiwiSaver and receive the government payments. While you don’t earn PAYE income, you save what you choose. The minimum employee savings rule does not apply.

 

KiwiSaver gives you

  • A one off kick-start payment from the government of $1,000
  • If you are 18 or older and under 65, a tax credit i.e. subsidy, from the government, of up to $521.43 every year.

These are all tax-free.

 

Look at the numbers grow

If you join and save $1,042.86 a year ($87 a month), you would get2:

                                                                                KiwiSaver green kiwi.bmpinvestment logo.JPG

 KS self employed.GIF

 

It’s easy to get the “free” money

1. Join today

Go to www.SuperLifeKiwiSaver.co.nz and enrol on line. It takes just a few minutes. All you need is your personal IRD number

or

Contact SuperLife on 0800 27 87 37 for a form. Once completed, return it in the free post envelope. We do the rest. 

2. Get the free $1,000 kick-start

The Government sends the $1,000 to KiwiSaver 3 months after you join.

3. Get the free $1 for $2 (up to $521.43) annual tax credit

Pay a single payment, by cheque, in June each year for $1,042.86 Note: in your first year, you should only save $87 times the number of months remaining to 30 June as a proportionate payment applies.

or

Save by direct debit, $87 a month (i.e. $20 per week).

You can save more than $87 a month, but you won’t get anything extra from the government. If you want to save more, it may be better to save the extra in SuperLife’s superannuation scheme (where it is not locked in) and not in KiwiSaver.

You can save less - you do not need to save anything.

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Savings

You choose the amount you save. SuperLife has no minimum – it’s up to you.

Investment options

You choose how your KiwiSaver Account is invested or leave it up to us. There is a range of options available, from cash to shares. The SuperLife investment guide and SuperLife investment options will help you with your decision.

Benefits from age 65

Unless you intend to buy your first home, your money is generally locked in until you get NZ Super, or for a minimum period of 5 years if you join after age 60.

Withdrawal for your first home deposit

If you have been in KiwiSaver for at least 3 years and you are buying your first home, you can withdraw all of your KiwiSaver Account balance (other than the government’s original $1,000 kick-start and tax credits).

First home subsidy

If you have never owned a home you may also be eligible for the government’s $5,000 subsidy. Go to the Housing NZ web site (www.hnz.govt.nz).

 


1For KiwiSaver purposes, a “self-employed” person is someone who earns no income that is subject to PAYE.

2This assumes a 6.5% p.a. return net of tax and investment costs and deducts the administration fees.