Membership definition
If you're under 18 years old, you will be considered a "minor" when you join KiwiSaver.
How under 18s join
If the applicant is 16 or 17, the applicant and one of the applicant's legal guardians* must sign the application form.
If the applicant is under 16, all of the applicant's legal guardians* must sign the application form on their behalf. Our application form is here.
If you are under the age of 18 in paid employment you cannot join KiwiSaver through your employer. You can only join through a KiwiSaver provider, as detailed above.
*Parents are legal guardians
Contribution rates for under 18s
If you are a KiwiSaver member who is under 18 and in paid employment (with income subject to PAYE) you must contribute 3%, 4%, 6%, 8% or 10% through your employer, unless you are on a Savings Suspension.
If you are a Kiwi Wealth KiwiSaver Scheme member under the age of 18 and not working, you are not required to make contributions, but you can choose to make voluntary payments. Note that some KiwiSaver providers require all members to make a minimum contribution, regardless of their age.
Exclusions and exemptions
If you are under 18 you will not receive:
- The Government Contribution of up to $10 per week ($521 per year), even if you are in paid employment.
- Employer contributions. Employers are not required to contribute to your KiwiSaver account if you are under 18, but they may choose to.
- If you are under 18 and in paid employment you can apply to Inland Revenue for a Savings Suspension after you have been contributing to KiwiSaver for 12 months.
Read more on our KiwiSaver for children page.