Build your
retirement
plan
Turn your ideas into a retirement plan
A retirement plan helps turn "one day" into something you can start planning for today. Once you have a rough idea of the retirement you want and where your money could come from, you can start making decisions about what comes next.
Your retirement plan doesn't need to predict the future. It simply needs to give you direction and help you make choices with more confidence along the way. The most useful retirement plans help answer four key questions:
- When might I retire?
- How much could I need?
- Where could that income come from?
- What can I do now to help get there?
Once you have a goal in mind, you can start working backwards:
- Some may come from NZ Super
- Some may come from KiwiSaver
- Some may come from savings (like term deposits) and investments (like shares)
- You may also choose to keep earning income from work
Together, these sources can help build a picture of your retirement plan and how it could support your lifestyle. Understanding where your retirement income could come from is an important step towards building a retirement plan that works for you.
Your timeline
What matters most can depend on how far away retirement is.
10+ years to go
Time is one of the most valuable assets you have. You may not know exactly what you want retirement to look like yet, and that's okay.
For now, focus on giving yourself more options in the future. That might mean understanding how your KiwiSaver is invested, building your savings, or thinking about when you'd like your mortgage paid off.
The goal isn't to have everything figured out. It's to put yourself in a stronger position for the choices ahead.
Learn more about the AMP KiwiSaver Scheme
5–10 years to go
Retirement might be starting to feel a little more real. This can be a good time to think about the lifestyle you'd like and how your savings could support it. Consider:
• Your expected retirement spending
• KiwiSaver and other investments
• The role NZ Super might play
• Your mortgage position
• Stopping work completely, or reducing hours gradually
If there's a gap between what you'd like and what you expect to have, there's still time to make changes.
Use our Retirement Calculator to explore what retirement could look like for you
1–5 years to go
As retirement gets closer, your plans can become more specific. You may want to think about:
• When you expect to stop work or reduce hours
• How much income you'll need each week
• How and when you'll draw on KiwiSaver, savings, and investments
• Whether you have enough accessible money for unexpected expenses
• Whether you and your partner share the same goals and timeframe
It can also be a good time to seek guidance and make sure your plans align with the retirement you want.
Contact us
Retiring in the next 12 months
Start moving from planning for retirement to preparing for it. A few things to consider:
• Review your budget
• Confirm your retirement date
• Check your KiwiSaver settings and options
• Review your savings and investments
• Understand NZ Super eligibility and how to apply
But don't stop at the financial side. Retirement isn't just a change in income. It's also a change in how you spend your time, energy, and days.
Already retired?
Retirement planning doesn't stop when you leave work. Your retirement may last 20 years or more, and your plans can change along the way. What matters today might be different in five or ten years' time. This can be a good time to review:
• Whether your retirement income is supporting the lifestyle you want
• How you're using KiwiSaver, savings and investments
• Whether your spending is tracking as expected
• Any changes to your health, family or living situation
• Future plans such as travel, helping family, or moving home
A retirement plan isn't just about getting to retirement. It's about helping you make confident decisions during retirement.
Your retirement planning checklist
Use this checklist as a guide, not another list of things to worry about.
Your life
1. Talk about retirement with your partner or whānau2. Consider where you'd like to live
3. Think about whether you'd like to keep working in some capacity
4. Explore the travel, hobbies and activities that matter to you
5. Consider your health and any future support needs
Your money
1. Check your KiwiSaver balance
2. Review how your KiwiSaver is invested
3. Make a list of your savings and investments
4. Understand your mortgage and any other debt
5. Understand whether you're likely to qualify for NZ Super
6. Estimate your likely retirement spending
7. Work out where your retirement income could come from
Your plan
1. Calculate your retirement number
2. Compare what you might need with what you're on track to have
3. Identify any gaps
4. Consider what changes could make the biggest difference
5. Consider getting financial advice
6. Review your plan regularly
You don't need to tick everything off today. Start with one thing. That's often how retirement planning begins.
Know where you stand
The goal of retirement planning isn't to predict the future perfectly. It's about replacing some of the uncertainty with a little more clarity.
Maybe you're closer than you thought. Maybe there's an area you'd like to work on. Maybe you need to work a little longer, save a little more, or adjust your plans. Or maybe you have more choices than you realised.
Whatever the answer, knowing where you stand gives you the confidence to decide what comes next.
Important information
The information on this page is general only and isn't financial advice. Before making any decisions, consider getting advice that takes your personal circumstances into account. If you'd like to talk to someone, contact us on 0800 267 005.