Government contributions
The government contribution (previously called the member tax credit) is a yearly contribution to KiwiSaver members. They contribute $0.50 for every $1.00 you contribute to your KiwiSaver account (your employee contributions from your pay and voluntary contributions) from 1 July to 30 June, up to $521.43 annually. To make sure you receive the maximum amount, you must contribute at least $1,042.86 during the year (approximately $20 a week).
If you don’t contribute the full amount you’ll still get some government contributions, e.g. if you contribute $500 for the period, you’ll receive $250 in government contributions.
You don’t need to do anything to claim this contribution (aside from making contributions). It’ll be paid directly into your KiwiSaver account automatically.
Eligibility
You’re eligible for the government contribution if you:
are aged 18 to 64 (or older if you're not eligible for a retirement withdrawal), and
contribute to your KiwiSaver account, and
mainly live in New Zealand or,
are a government employee serving outside New Zealand or,
are working overseas as a volunteer, for a token payment or,
are a charitable organisation named in the Student Loan Act regulations, and the work meets one or more of the requirements set out in the Student Loan Scheme Act 2011.
If you make a life-shortening congenital condition withdrawal, you won’t be eligible for future government contributions.
Part-way government contributions
If you’re only eligible for part of the year, you’ll still get part of the government contribution. The calculation of the amount paid to you will be based on the number of days in the year you were eligible.