Make the most of your KiwiSaver account in 2025

Whether you’re saving for your first home or planning for retirement, small changes today can make a big difference in the future. Here are four key steps to set yourself up for success in 2025.

Boost your contributions

Increasing your KiwiSaver contributions, even by a little, can have a significant impact over time. If you’re an employee you can choose to contribute at a rate of 3%, 4%, 6%, 8%, or 10% of your gross income. 

Take a look at your budget and see if there’s room to increase your contribution rate. According to Sorted NZ, the difference between contributing 3% versus 10% over a lifetime of working can be $229,000 for those on an average salary. That’s a major boost to your retirement savings! Read more about increasing your KiwiSaver contributions here.

Check your fund is the right fit

Not all funds are the same, and being in the right one can make a huge difference to your long-term savings. Your investment choice should align with your goals, risk tolerance, and timeframe. If you’re reviewing your fund, ask yourself: 

• Your goals  – Are you using KiwiSaver to buy your first home, or are you investing for retirement? 
• Your risk tolerance – How comfortable are you with market ups and downs? Conservative funds tend to be lower risk but offer slower growth, while growth funds have higher potential returns but more volatility.
• Your timeframe –  Are you planning to withdraw in the next few years, or is retirement decades away? The longer your timeframe, the more risk you may be able to take.

If you’re unsure whether your fund is the right fit, now is a great time to review it with an Enva adviser. 

Start now and stay consistent 

One of the biggest advantages of KiwiSaver is the power of regular contributions and compounding returns – the longer your money stays invested, the more it can grow. 

If you’ve been contributing regularly, keep it up! Even small, consistent contributions add up over time. If you’ve taken a break from contributing, consider restarting if your budget allows. 

It’s also important to maximise employer and government contributions where possible. If you’re employed and contribute at least 3% of your income, your employer is required to match that. Additionally, if you contribute at least $1,042.86 annually, you’ll receive a government contribution of up to $521.43, essentially free money towards your future. 

Get advice

One of the best things you can do for your KiwiSaver account is to get professional advice. Research from the Financial Services Council (FSC) shows that people who receive financial advice have, on average, 50% more in their KiwiSaver accounts.

If you’ve never had a KiwiSaver review, now’s the time to speak with an Enva adviser and make sure you’re on the right track.