NZ Retirement Calculator
Project what your KiwiSaver and savings could be worth by retirement, add NZ Super, and see whether your money is likely to last. Every figure is an estimate built on the assumptions shown below.
Your details
NZ Super starts at 65.
Used to estimate your ongoing KiwiSaver contributions.
For example, a term deposit or extra contributions to a managed fund.
Your retirement projection
In today's dollars, assuming your contributions stay the same and returns are steady at 4% after inflation.
Contributed by 65
$164,950
Investment growth
$207,723
Projected balance
$372,673
Your income in retirement
NZ Super (gross, single)
$1,110
per fortnight · about $24,396 a year after tax
Sustainable from savings
$20,723
per year, designed to last ~30 years
Estimated total retirement income
$45,119
a year (today's dollars) from savings plus NZ Super after tax — about $868 a week.
How long your savings last
~30 years
taking out the sustainable amount each year
Investment style
Balanced
real return 4% after inflation
Retirement, in plain English
- Today's dollars vs future dollars
- We adjust for inflation by using "real" returns, so a projected $372,673 at 65 is roughly what that amount would buy today. In nominal dollars the actual figure will likely be higher, but it will buy less.
- NZ Super is not means-tested
- Unlike some overseas pensions, NZ Super is paid to eligible Kiwis from 65 regardless of their savings. It is taxable, so we show both the gross fortnightly rate and an after-tax estimate using the M code.
- A sustainable withdrawal
- The "sustainable from savings" figure is the amount you could take out each year so your pot lasts about 30 years, assuming returns continue. Taking more than that increases the risk of running out — a common rule of thumb is about 4% of your balance a year.
- What isn't included
- Fund fees, taxes on investment earnings, the annual Government KiwiSaver contribution, inflation on NZ Super, and any changes to your salary or contribution rates. Those all change the real outcome, which is why this is a planning estimate, not a promise.
Retirement calculator FAQs
Is this financial advice?
No. This calculator is an educational estimate model, not personalised financial advice. It uses stated assumptions about returns, inflation and NZ Super, and its output is a rough guide only. For advice tailored to your situation, speak to a licensed financial adviser.
What is NZ Super and will I get it?
NZ Superannuation is the state pension paid from age 65 to people who meet NZ residence requirements. It is not means-tested, so it is paid regardless of your savings. The residence rule is rising from 10 to 20 years of NZ residence after age 20, so check your eligibility with Work and Income.
Are these figures in today's dollars or future dollars?
Everything is shown in today's dollars. We use real (after-inflation) returns and hold NZ Super at its current rate, so the projected balance and income are comparable to what those amounts buy today.
What return should I assume for KiwiSaver?
Returns vary hugely year to year. Conservative funds might earn less with less volatility, growth funds more over the long run with bigger swings. Our default of 4% real (after inflation) is a deliberately conservative planning number — actual results will differ, and fees and fund taxes reduce what you keep.
Should I include the Government's KiwiSaver contribution?
The annual Government contribution is not included in this projection because it depends on your contributions and eligibility. It can add to your balance — see the KiwiSaver contribution rates guide for how it works.
What is a sustainable withdrawal rate?
We model how much you could take out each year so your savings last roughly 30 years from age 65, assuming returns continue after retirement. A common rule of thumb is around 4% of your balance per year. Taking out more than the sustainable amount increases the risk your money runs out.
How we calculate this
This page projects what your KiwiSaver and other savings could be worth at retirement and whether that income is likely to last, combining NZ Super with a sustainable withdrawal from your pot. Every figure on this page is worked out in your browser from the rates listed below — nothing you type is sent anywhere or stored.
- 1Work out your annual KiwiSaver contributions: your chosen employee rate plus the employer contribution reduced by the applicable ESCT tier.
- 2Project the balance to your retirement age using a constant real (after-inflation) return chosen by investment style.
- 3Estimate NZ Super at its current gross fortnightly rate for a single or couple, then convert to an after-tax figure with the M tax code.
- 4Model how much you could withdraw each year so your savings last roughly 30 years, and add NZ Super to find total estimated income.
- 5Show every figure in today's dollars so the balance and income are comparable to what they buy now.
Rates and thresholds in use
- Income tax bands: $0–$15,600 at 10.50%; $15,600–$53,500 at 17.50%; $53,500–$78,100 at 30.00%; $78,100–$180,000 at 33.00%; over $180,000 at 39.00%.
- ACC earners' levy: 1.75% of liable earnings.
- Student loan: 12% of every dollar earned above $24,128 a year.
- KiwiSaver employee rates: 3.5% by default, or 4%, 6%, 8% or 10% of gross pay; a temporary reduction to 3% is available.
Last reviewed August 2026 by the Payrise NZ team. We re-check these settings whenever Inland Revenue, MBIE or ACC announce a change, and update this page the same week.
Sources: Work and Income — NZ Super rates, Work and Income — benefit rates, Inland Revenue — KiwiSaver.
Related NZ pay and tax calculators
Keep going with the rest of the toolkit — each one uses the same up-to-date New Zealand tax settings.
- KiwiSaver CalculatorCompare 3–10% contribution rates and project your balance.
- After-Tax Pay CalculatorTurn a gross salary into weekly, fortnightly and monthly take-home pay.
- PAYE Calculator NZ 2026Band-by-band PAYE on your income, plus ACC and student loan.
- Average Salary NZMedian pay from Stats NZ and how your salary compares.