*Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future performance.
*List is of the highest 5-year returns A-rated funds as per our Investment Selection Process.
*All returns are after fees and tax as of quarter ended 30th September 2023.
*Source: National Capital Research November 2023
We’re here to help find the best KiwiSaver fund for you. Let’s start by providing you with a comparison report of your existing fund.
It's important to check the health of your KiwiSaver fund and understand its position within the market. Submit the form below to view a simple graphic report of your fund.
A KiwiSaver scheme is an entity that offers a collection of investment funds for you to choose from. That choice varies depending on your risk tolerance and interests. Naturally, the life stage you’re in will also play an important role in your choice too. For example, if you’re just starting work as a teenager or nearing you’re retirement.
A KiwiSaver scheme will invest your savings on your behalf should you decide to opt in. The government initially set up the KiwiSaver scheme idea as a way to boost Kiwi retirement savings. Notably, the government continues to play a key role in regulation to ensure that KiwiSaver scheme companies meet certain criteria. That criteria can be found in detail as written under the KiwiSaver Act 2006 legislation.
The government also has the power to set a list of default KiwiSaver Scheme companies. Joining members get automatically enrolled in one of the following (current) default providers if they don’t make their own choice:
The default providers must meet the following criteria to ensure that members’ best interests are looked after:
Although the goal is to get Kiwis to save more for their retirement, the KiwiSaver scheme is not guaranteed. You can lose money just like with any other investment. However, historically, there has been a growth trend in funds managed by a KiwiSaver scheme.
The right KiwiSaver scheme will make a big difference to your payout.
Spending 10 minutes to complete our HealthCheck form may be the most important thing you can do for your KiwiSaver account right now.
We track all KiwiSaver scheme performances in order to come up with a subjective answer to this frequently asked question. To find the best option in terms of financial returns, you can click through to our dedicated page here.
However, as previously mentioned, you’re choice will depend on more than just performance. A highly volatile fund that is performing well may not be a wise choice for someone looking to withdraw in the short term. On the other hand, a low-return KiwiSaver scheme may not be the best option for a teenager just starting work. For a tailored answer that is suited specifically to you, you can complete our Free KiwiSaver Recommendations form.
To find out more about a KiwiSaver scheme before investing you can read their product disclosure statements. They are legally bound to have one and you can find them through each of their individual websites. Their product disclosure statements will include information about:
Speaking to an authorised financial adviser, someone like National Capital for example can help in your decision. Although we discuss general scenarios here, going through your unique circumstances will point to the right KiwiSaver scheme for you. Even if you have been enrolled automatically or you aren’t sure you’ve made the right choice, switching is simple.
Below is a list of KiwiSaver scheme providers that we have done detailed extensive research on. On each specific page, you can find a general overview of the KiwiSaver scheme, the latest news, and more.
The right KiwiSaver scheme will make a big difference to your payout.
Spending 10 minutes to complete our HealthCheck form may be the most important thing you can do for your savings right now.
There are many benefits to partaking in the KiwiSaver scheme. From getting into the habit of saving a percentage of your salary, to employer and government contributions.
Firstly, the reason why the government created the KiwiSaver scheme was due to statistics showing Kiwis didn’t save enough money. According to Stats NZ, that mentality has slightly shifted with household income savings changing from under 1% of net disposable income in 2017 to upwards of 3% in 2022. Regularly investing in a KiwiSaver scheme can certainly be attributed to a shift in the mentality to save more.
The other benefit you get is the employer and government contributions that come as an added incentive to participate. Your employer is obligated by law to contribute 3% of your salary to your KiwiSaver scheme at their cost. The government will contribute up to $521.43 to your account each year you contribute at least $1042.86. Therefore, if you haven’t already joined, you are missing out on a significant sum of added savings each year.
There is also the benefit of supporting your financial goals. The KiwiSaver scheme savings you collect can be used as a deposit to purchase your first home or for retirement. Think of how difficult it can be to save for your first home deposit at the present time. The KiwiSaver scheme is a well-structured savings and investment system to help you achieve that goal. Also, financially relying solely on Superannuation is extremely difficult once you stop working and this long-term investment is important.
The rigidity that the KiwiSaver scheme provides in terms of savings and investment is extremely helpful for everyday Kiwis. It is a way of making investing completely hassle-free but also government-regulated to ensure best practices.
There are plenty of KiwiSaver scheme options available for you to choose from. In fact, there are so many, that you may feel overwhelmed by the abundance of choices you have. The first step to choosing the right KiwiSaver scheme is identifying what your goals are. Free advice on which option is the right one for you is available via our HealthCheck analysis and report.
Each KiwiSaver scheme offers a range of options they call ‘funds’ that you can pick from. These options will have different risk ratings based on the type of investments they are made up of. Cash and bonds are typically lower risk, while stocks, especially international are higher risk. However, the higher-risk stocks have shown a rate of higher return as a long-term investment. In the short term, these high-risk stocks have a track record of being volatile and exposed to market shocks.
There are also faith-based schemes such as the Christian and Amanah KiwiSaver schemes. They specialise in providing ethical investment solutions according to the Christian and Islamic religious faiths, respectively.
As you can see, there are options out there to suit everyone. It has also become the norm of every KiwiSaver scheme to invest ethically and consider environmental, societal, and governance issues.
You must identify what your goals and investment boundaries are. National Capital can help filter through all the KiwiSaver scheme options to find the one that best aligns with you. If you don’t make a choice, you will be automatically enrolled into a default KiwiSaver scheme. Regardless, you are free to switch to another KiwiSaver scheme anytime and as many times as you desire.
It is reasonable to feel overwhelmed with the KiwiSaver scheme choices readily available. With over 20 KiwiSaver scheme options, how do you know you’ve picked the right one?! Well, you can rest assured that these options do indeed serve a purpose and are tightly regulated. The good news is that you have advisers like National Capital that can help you pick the right KiwiSaver scheme. The answer to the abundance of options is linked to what also sets them apart. With that in mind, let’s dive deeper and discuss the differences between KiwiSaver scheme selections.
Banking and insurance providers make up a significant number of the KiwiSaver scheme selection readily available. Providers such as ANZ, ASB, BNZ, Westpac, and Aon are all established brands in the banking and insurance industries. From their perspective, they are leveraging their reputations and brand recognition by offering KiwiSaver scheme solutions as an additional product. On the other hand, you’re getting the convenience of consolidating your KiwiSaver scheme and banking or insurance in one platform.
Specialised investment firms such as Booster, Generate, and Milford Asset Management often have their roots in investing. They typically have a more hands-on approach and have a history as top performers when tracking returns on investment. If you are solely interested in returns, you may consider one of these options as the right one for you.
There are also KiwiSaver scheme solutions tailored for people investing based on cultural and ethical beliefs. Amanah and Christian KiwiSaver scheme are two examples of investment firms based on religious beliefs. Pathfinder is an example of a KiwiSaver scheme that avoids investing in companies or industries deemed harmful to the planet. Meanwhile, the Medical Assurance Society is the preferred KiwiSaver scheme for medical professionals.
The right KiwiSaver scheme will make a big difference to your payout.
Spending 10 minutes to complete our HealthCheck form may be the most important thing you can do for your savings right now.
Suite 4, Shed 24
Princes Wharf
Auckland 1010
