How Much Will You Have at Retirement? KiwiSaver Projection Guide

Ever wondered if your KiwiSaver balance will stretch to a comfortable retirement? With contribution rates rising to 4% by 2028 and markets shifting, it's time to crunch the numbers using a KiwiSaver r...

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Jan 31, 2026

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Whether you're 25 and just starting out or 55 and eyeing the finish line, projecting your nest egg helps you make smart tweaks today. We'll walk you through how these tools work, key assumptions behind them, and steps to boost your savings—all tailored for Kiwis planning ahead in 2026.

Why Use a KiwiSaver Retirement Calculator?

KiwiSaver calculators give you a personalised snapshot of your future balance based on your age, income, contributions, and fund choice. They're free, quick, and powered by industry-standard assumptions set by the Financial Markets Authority (FMA). No more guessing—see if you're on track for New Zealand Super plus extras, or if you need to ramp up contributions.^{^[1]}^{^[2]}

For example, a 30-year-old earning $70,000 might project $500,000 by 65 in a growth fund, but switching to aggressive could push it over $700,000. These tools factor in real KiwiSaver rules like employer matches and government top-ups, making them essential for retirement planning.^{^[1]}^{^[3]}

Top KiwiSaver Calculators for Kiwis

Sorted.org.nz KiwiSaver Calculator: Government-backed, simple inputs for age, income, and retirement age (65+). Great for beginners.^{^[5]}
Booster KiwiSaver Calculator: Detailed with fund types and salary growth at 3.5% p.a. Shows weekly retirement income post-65.^{^[1]}
Fisher Funds Retirement Projector: Compares against Retirement Expenditure Guidelines for surplus/shortfall. Includes NZ Super at $538.42 weekly (2025 rates).^{^[2]}
Milford and Generate Calculators: Assume 4% contributions from 2028, perfect for seeing post-change impacts.^{^[3]}^{^[4]}

Pro tip: Try a few calculators side-by-side. Differences come from fund return assumptions—growth funds often project 3.5-4.5% after fees/tax.^{^[1]}

How KiwiSaver Retirement Calculators Work

These tools use your inputs plus fixed assumptions to forecast your balance in today's dollars (adjusted for 2% inflation). Enter your age, salary, contribution rate, current balance, and retirement age—out pops your projected lump sum and weekly income.^{^[1]}^{^[2]}

Key Inputs You'll Need

Current Age and Retirement Age: Most assume 65, but you can pick later. Savings draw down to age 90 at 2.5% returns.^{^[2]}
Annual Income: Before tax. Calculators add 3.5% salary growth if employed.^{^[1]}^{^[2]}
Contribution Rate: Employee (3-10%), employer match (3% rising to 4%), plus voluntary. Government adds 50c per $1 up to $521.43/year (double from July 2024).^{^[2]}
Current Balance and Fund Type: Conservative (2.5%) to growth (4.5%) returns after 28% tax/fees.^{^[1]}
Other Assets: Some let you add property or savings for full picture.^{^[2]}

Outputs show lump sum at retirement, then weekly income over 25 years, blending KiwiSaver with NZ Super.

Standard Assumptions in 2026

Calculators follow FMA rules for consistency:^{^[1]}^{^[2]}

Inflation: 2% p.a.—projections in today's buying power.
Salary Growth: 3.5% for employees; voluntary contributions rise 2% for self-employed.
Returns: Glidepath 3.5% (under 50), 2.5% (50+ and retirement). No suspensions/withdrawals.
Govt Contributions: Up to $260.72/year (pre-2024; check IRD for 2026 updates) if income under $180,000.
Contribution Changes: Defaults rising—3.5% from April 2026, 4% from 2028. Employers match; opt out possible via IRD.^{^[1]}^{^[3]}
NZ Super: $538.42/week single (2025 'M' code, inflation-adjusted).^{^[2]}

"Projections assume fees, tax, and contributions stay unchanged—real life varies, so review annually." – Financial Markets Authority guidelines^{^[1]}

2026 KiwiSaver Changes and Projections

The 2025 Budget locked in minimum contributions: 3.5% employee/employer from 1 April 2026, 4% from 1 April 2028. Calculators like Milford's bake this in, showing bigger balances—e.g., $100k salary at 4% could add $50,000+ by 65 vs 3%.^{^[3]}^{^[4]}

NZ Super rates adjust quarterly via Work and Income. For couples, it's ~$414 each (2025), but live-alone rates apply for singles. Add KiwiSaver for 'comfortable' retirement per Commission for Financial Capability guidelines: $1,000+/week couple.^{^[2]}

Example Projections for Kiwis

Let's run scenarios using 2026 defaults (4% contributions, 3.5% growth fund, $60k salary):

Age Now	Current Balance	Projected at 65 (Today's $)	Weekly Income (w/ NZ Super)
25	$10,000	$650,000	$950
35	$50,000	$520,000	$850
45	$150,000	$380,000	$700
55	$250,000	$220,000	$550

Boost it: Increase to 8% contributions? Add $150k+ for the 25-year-old.^{^[1]}^{^[2]}

Practical Tips to Maximise Your KiwiSaver

Calculators highlight levers—pull them for better projections:

Choose Growth Funds Early: Higher returns (4%+) for under-50s outweigh volatility long-term.^{^[1]}
Increase Contributions: Bump to 6-8% or add $50/month voluntary—compounds hugely.
Catch Govt Match: Contribute $1,043/year for max $521 top-up (IRD.govt.nz).
Review Annually: Switch providers if fees high (aim <0.5%). Use Sorted Fund Finder.
Self-Employed?: Pay yourself minimums for employer/govt contributions.
First Home?: Calculators often dual-purpose—pause retirement view for home deposit.

Avoid pitfalls: Don't suspend contributions or withdraw early—reduces compounding. If income tops $180k, no govt match.^{^[2]}

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Many Kiwis stick with default 3%—now rising, but still low vs Australia's 11.5%. Balances average $150k at 65; aim $400k+ for comfort.^{^[7]} Wrong fund? Conservative suits risk-averse over 50, but growth wins for most. Forget inflation? Projections are adjusted, but check real returns via MoneyHub.^{^[7]}

FAQ

What’s the best KiwiSaver retirement calculator?
Sorted.org.nz for simplicity, Booster or Fisher for depth. All use FMA standards.^{^[1]}^{^[5]}

Are projections guaranteed?
No—they're estimates. Past returns (e.g., 7% long-term) don't predict future; review yearly.^{^[1]}

Does NZ Super count in calculations?
Yes, added to KiwiSaver income to age 90. 2025 single rate: $538.42/week.^{^[2]}

What if I change jobs or go self-employed?
Funds transfer seamlessly. Self-employed: Opt into contributions via IRD for matches.^{^[2]}

Can I use calculators for first home savings?
Yes—most toggle between home and retirement views.^{^[5]}^{^[6]}

2026 changes: Do I need to act?
Defaults rise automatically to 3.5% then 4%. Opt down via IRD if needed; employers match.^{^[3]}

Take Control of Your Retirement Today

Grab a KiwiSaver retirement calculator, plug in your details, and tweak for the best outcome. Small changes now—like upping contributions or picking a growth fund—can add hundreds of thousands by 65. Head to Sorted.org.nz or your provider's tool, then chat with a financial adviser for personalised advice. You're building security for our Kiwi lifestyle—start projecting and adjusting today.