KiwiSaver for Kids and Under 18s
Boost your child’s financial future with KiwiSaver. The earlier you join KiwiSaver, the earlier you invest in your future, and the more opportunity your savings have to grow. But different rules apply to under 18s, so here’s all that New Zealand parents need to know about their children joining KiwiSaver.
While Kiwis under the age of 18 are permitted to sign up to a KiwiSaver Scheme, they will be classified as ‘minors’ and will need help in doing so from their parents or legal guardians.
Joining is super simple, and there are no minimum amounts required – parents and kids are in control of the amount and the frequency of contributions. And with the AMP KiwiSaver Scheme, you also enjoy total control over exactly how KiwiSaver savings are invested.
Why should parents help their kids join KiwiSaver?
There are a number of reasons why parents might consider helping their children open a KiwiSaver account. A few of the most compelling include:
Start early, save more
KiwiSaver is an investment that aims to build over time, and ultimately allows you to live a more comfortable retirement. If you make regular contributions, the earlier you start, the more your account can grow.
Contributing to their future
Parents, grandparents, family and friends can contribute to a young person’s KiwiSaver account. There’s really no better present, as this is one that aims to grow and turn into something far larger over time!
Set good financial habits
Joining KiwiSaver can help a child establish good money habits. It gets them thinking about their financial future – what their goals are and how they’ll get there. Watching their money grow will also show them the power of long-term savings and investments.
Build a first home deposit
Under 18s who join KiwiSaver can enjoy a huge head start in saving for their first home, because KiwiSaver isn’t just a retirement scheme – savings can also be used for first home purchases. By starting now, parents can help their children grow their first home deposit.
How to join KiwiSaver before you're 18
The process of joining KiwiSaver is largely the same for under 18s as it is for adults, though there are a couple of key differences: minors cannot join through their employers and will need their legal guardian’s permission. The process is as follows:
1. Choose your provider
Access to KiwiSaver is offered by KiwiSaver providers like AMP. The AMP KiwiSaver Scheme is the ideal choice for under 18s, as it offers good fees and performance on sustainable investments. Read our product disclosure statements to learn more.
2. Fill in the application
The next step is to fill in a KiwiSaver application. Unlike adults, under 18s aren’t able to join KiwiSaver on their own (or through their employer).
- For 16 and 17 year olds, the application form must be signed by the applicant and one parent or legal guardian (Oranga Tamariki guardian) must sign.
- For under 16s, the application form must be signed by all of the legal guardian(s), if Mum and Dad are the legal guardians, then both parents must sign. If a person has an Oranga Tamariki guardian, then they must sign.
As part of the application, you’ll be asked to supply some basic personal details, your inland revenue IRD number and PIR rate. It should be approved, and your AMP KiwiSaver savings account set up, within a couple of weeks.
3. Choose your funds
All AMP KiwiSaver members can choose how their savings are managed. Under 18s and their parents or guardians can mix and match up to seven investment funds from dozens of options, based on their investment goals.
KiwiSaver contribution rules for under 18s
A number of KiwiSaver contribution rules are unique to under 18s, the main difference being that all contributions are voluntary.
- Under 18s are not eligible to receive compulsory employer contributions or government contributions.
- If you are under 18, registered with KiwiSaver and in PAYE employment (part-time or full-time), you can make employee contributions of 3%, 4%, 6%, 8% or 10% of your pay to your KiwiSaver account.
- Under 18s, and their friends and family, can make voluntary contributions to the minor’s KiwiSaver account at any time. The more regular, the better, such as weekly, fortnightly or monthly. You can contribute any amount.
- Because all contributions are voluntary for under 18s, you can pause any regular, automatic contributions at any time without the need for a savings suspension.
Looking for expert KiwiSaver advice?
Perhaps it’s your first time dealing with KiwiSaver. Perhaps you want more info on how you can get your KiwiSaver savings working for you. Our team of KiwiSaver experts is always on hand to offer guidance on how to secure your future – get in touch today.
We recommend speaking to a financial adviser when looking for financial advice. By speaking with a financial adviser, you can find out - how your plan is working (or not) for you, and they can provide guidance on some suggested changes if needed.
As an AMP KiwiSaver Scheme customer, you have access to financial advice whenever you need it which can be obtained either through AMP or an external Adviser. The financial advice that can be provided by an internal AMP Adviser is limited to AMP products, whereas an external Adviser may be able to advise you on a broader range of financial matters.
Getting started with KiwiSaver
Thinking of joining KiwiSaver? It’s a smart move at any age, and one that only gets wiser as time goes on. At AMP we’ve developed a number of resources to guide your next steps.
Choose KiwiSaver funds
How would you like your KiwiSaver savings to be invested? AMP offers funds from six of NZ’s leading investment managers. Choose from dozens of fund types, from conservative to growth funds, mixing and matching up to seven according to your savings goals and personal preferences.
Find your ideal funds
KiwiSaver funds quiz tool
What does your ideal fund or mix of funds look like? It can be a difficult question to answer, particularly for KiwiSaver newcomers, as you need to balance factors like risk vs reward and alignment with savings goals. But with the help of our quiz, you could find your perfect option in as little as three clicks!
Take our funds quiz
Look into your KiwiSaver future
What will your KiwiSaver savings look like as you approach retirement? How much of a deposit will you have when the time comes to purchase your first home? What contribution rate do you need to set to reach your savings goals? Our simple calculator is designed to tell you all that and more.