# The KiwiSaver government contribution

> If you contribute enough to your KiwiSaver, the government adds up to $260.72 each year. Find out how much you could get, how to get the full amount and who isn't eligible.

By Jason Dark, last checked 2026-11-05. Part of [Contributions](https://kiwisaverproviders.co.nz/contributions) on Minder.

## The short version

- The government adds 25 cents for every dollar you put in, up to $260.72 a year.
- To get the full amount, put in at least $1,042.86 between 1 July and 30 June.
- Employer contributions don't count, and if you earn over $180,000 you don't get a government contribution.
- The default employer contribution went up to 3.5% on 1 April 2026 and is due to rise to 4% in April 2028.

## How much you get

The KiwiSaver year runs from 1 July to 30 June. Each year, the government adds 25 cents for every dollar you put in, up to $260.72. You get the full amount if you put in $1,042.86 or more during the year.

The rate was halved from 1 July 2025. Before that, the government paid 50 cents for every dollar, up to $521.43.

## Who gets it

You qualify if you mainly live in New Zealand and are between 16 and 64. People aged 16 and 17 have been eligible since 1 July 2025, and you stop being eligible at 65, when NZ Super starts. If you earn over $180,000 in taxable income in a year, you won't get a government contribution.

Only the money you put in yourself counts. Your employer's contributions don't, so if you're on a low income or work part time, check how much you've put in on your own.

## If you're self-employed or not working

Nothing comes out of your pay, so you'll only get the contribution if you pay in yourself. You can make a voluntary payment to your provider or to IRD at any time. Pay before 30 June for it to count for that year. $1,042.86 over a year is about $20 a week.

## When it's paid

After 30 June each year, your KiwiSaver provider claims the contribution for you. The money is added to your account once the claim is processed. You don't need to do anything to apply.

## Employer contributions

If you're an employee contributing to KiwiSaver, your employer has to contribute too. The default rate went from 3% to 3.5% of your pay on 1 April 2026 and is due to rise to 4% on 1 April 2028. [Employer superannuation contribution tax](https://kiwisaverproviders.co.nz/glossary/esct) (ESCT) comes out of your employer's contribution, so a little less than 3.5% reaches your account.

You can apply to keep your contribution rate at 3% for 3 to 12 months, and renew it when the period ends. If you do this, your employer may also lower their contribution to 3%. From 1 April 2026, employers must also contribute for employees aged 16 or 17.

## Sources

- [Inland Revenue: Getting the KiwiSaver government contribution](https://www.ird.govt.nz/kiwisaver/kiwisaver-individuals/growing-my-kiwisaver-account/getting-the-kiwisaver-government-contribution)
- [Inland Revenue: KiwiSaver changes](https://www.ird.govt.nz/kiwisaver-changes)