Changes to KiwiSaver coming up in April 2026

As announced in the Budget 2025, changes have been made to KiwiSaver that will affect you and your employees.

From 01 April 2026

The default rate of the employee and employer contribution rate will be INCREASED from 3 % to 3.5 %. This will be automatically updated for those at 3 % in the first pay day on or after 01 April 2026.

The age for employer contributions will be extended from 18 years old to include those employees aged 16 and 17 years old already enrolled in KiwiSaver.

In preparation for this, you need to review Date of Birth and KiwiSaver statuses. If your employee is 16 or 17 and in KiwiSaver you will need to update their KiwiSaver information and contribute 3.5 % to their KiwiSaver from the first pay on or after 01 April 2026.

Employee's can apply for a Temporary rate reduction from 01 February to keep the employee deduction at 3 %.

For more information about Temporary rate reduction

For more information Temporary rate reduction (Inland Revenue)

For more information IRD KiwiSaver changes

You should always record the age of anyone you employ under 20 years of age - Employment NZ Personal Information

Review the Date of Birth and KiwiSaver information for your people

Reports > HR > Staff Birthday

Short list with the age and Date of Birth for your current employees. Print or Download to excel.

Reports > HR > Staff - Detailed Table

Download to excel to get all the details for your current employees
Review the Columns that relate to KiwiSaver
KSE Rate - percentage of Employee contribution
KSR Rate - percentage of Employer contribution
KiwiSaver Status - the status you have selected on the Personal Details page
Date of Birth
Age
KiwiSaver Age Range - if Date of Birth is not completed on the Personal Details page

Updating the Date of Birth

People > View People > Select the person's name
In the Personal Details - Date of Birth field enter the date
Scroll to the bottom of the page
Save - Success message will display
Review the details