If you previously opted out of KiwiSaver — or were auto-enrolled and then opted out — you can re-join at any time. In some cases, re-enrolment happens automatically. Here’s how it works.
Why Would You Need to Re-Enrol?
There are several reasons someone might need to re-enrol in KiwiSaver:
- You opted out during the initial 2–8 week window when you first started a job
- You were on a savings suspension that has expired
- You left a previous job and stopped contributing (note: KiwiSaver membership doesn’t end when you change jobs — your balance stays with your provider)
- You were never enrolled and want to join for the first time
Note: Changing jobs or taking a break from work does not cancel your KiwiSaver membership. Your balance remains with your provider regardless of employment changes.
The Real Cost of Opting Out
Before getting into the mechanics, it’s worth understanding what opting out actually costs — because this number is often larger than people expect.
If you opted out at 22 and re-joined at 30 on a $65,000 salary:
| Lost over 8 years | Approximate amount |
|---|---|
| Employee contributions (4%) | ~$20,800 |
| Employer contributions (3%) | ~$15,600 |
| Member Tax Credits (MTC × 8 years) | ~$4,170 |
| Investment returns on the above | ~$10,000–20,000 |
| Total forgone | ~$50,000–60,000 |
Illustrative. Based on $65k salary, 4% employee, 3% employer, 7% growth fund return, $521 MTC per year.
That is money which would have been sitting in your account, fully invested. Re-joining as early as possible is almost always the right call.
Automatic Re-Enrolment (Every New Job)
The KiwiSaver Act includes an automatic re-enrolment trigger: every time you start a new job with a new employer, you will be automatically enrolled in KiwiSaver again — even if you previously opted out.
This automatic re-enrolment happens every time you change employers. You then have another 2–8 week opt-out window from your start date.
Why this matters: If you opted out of KiwiSaver years ago, starting a new job will re-enrol you. If you still don’t want to be in KiwiSaver, you’ll need to opt out again within the 2–8 week window. If you’ve changed your mind about KiwiSaver, simply do nothing — let the automatic enrolment stand and contributions will begin from your first pay.
Voluntary Re-Enrolment (Without a New Job)
If you want to re-join KiwiSaver without starting a new job — for example, you’re self-employed, or you opted out and have since changed your mind — you can voluntarily enrol at any time:
- Choose a KiwiSaver provider — this is the most important step; don’t default to your bank automatically. Compare fees and fund types at best KiwiSaver providers NZ before deciding.
- Complete an enrolment form directly with the provider — most providers allow this online in under 10 minutes
- Provide your IRD number and personal details
- Notify your employer (if employed) so they can set up payroll deductions
- Set your contribution rate — you’ll nominate 3%, 4%, 6%, 8%, or 10% at enrolment
Once enrolled, you immediately have full KiwiSaver membership.
How to Choose a Provider When Re-Enrolling
If it’s been several years since you were in KiwiSaver, the provider landscape has changed substantially. Kernel, Simplicity, and Booster have grown significantly. Several bank-linked providers have had fee changes.
When choosing, focus on:
| Factor | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Annual fund charge | Under 0.5% for passive funds; under 1.1% for active |
| Fund type available | Growth or aggressive if you’re under 50 |
| Digital tools | Online balance, contribution changes, fund switching |
| Track record | At least 5 years of performance data |
The most common mistake when re-enrolling is defaulting to your bank’s KiwiSaver product out of convenience. Bank providers (ANZ, ASB, BNZ, Westpac, Kiwibank) are typically not the lowest-fee option — review the cheapest KiwiSaver funds NZ before making a decision.
Can Previous Membership Time Count?
It depends on what you need it for.
First home withdrawal: The 3-year minimum membership period is based on your original enrolment date — not a re-enrolment date. If you were a member for 2 years, opted out, and re-join now, your membership clock for first home purposes may already be ticking. Check your original enrolment date in myIR. IRD typically counts your total period of membership, not just continuous membership.
Member Tax Credit: Eligibility is based on contributions made in the current KiwiSaver year (1 July–30 June). There’s no minimum prior membership period. If you re-enrol in February and contribute $1,042.86 before 30 June, you’ll receive the full $521.43 MTC — even in your first partial year.
Re-Joining After a Savings Suspension
If you were on a savings suspension (contribution holiday) and it has expired, you don’t need to “re-enrol” — you’re still a KiwiSaver member. Payroll contributions automatically restart when your suspension ends.
If you want to start contributing again before your suspension period ends, you can cancel the suspension early by notifying IRD via myIR under the KiwiSaver section.
Note: you can apply for a new savings suspension after at least 12 months of active membership — you cannot chain suspensions back-to-back immediately.
Starting Fresh vs Continuing Membership
If you’re starting a new job and getting auto-enrolled fresh, you’ll be treated as a new member for payroll deduction purposes. However:
- Your existing KiwiSaver balance remains with your previous provider until you instruct a transfer
- Your employer contributions begin from your new job
- If you want to consolidate with a new provider, the new provider can arrange the transfer of your old balance — this takes 10–15 working days
Do not leave old KiwiSaver balances orphaned with a previous provider — use the lost KiwiSaver account finder via myIR if you’ve lost track of a previous account.
Common Re-Enrolment Scenarios
“I opted out at 18 and I’m now 28. How do I re-join?” Voluntarily enrol with a provider directly. Choose a growth fund — you have 37 years to retirement. Your original 2-year membership period from age 18 will count toward first home withdrawal if relevant.
“I changed jobs and was auto-enrolled again but I opted out before. Do I need to opt out again?” Yes — if you still don’t want to be in KiwiSaver, you must opt out within the 2–8 week window for each new employer. If you do nothing, you’re in.
“I was on a contribution holiday and it ended. Why are contributions coming out of my pay again?” Your savings suspension expired. If you want to pause again, you can apply for another suspension via myIR — but you must have been actively contributing for at least 12 months first.
“I’m self-employed. How do I re-join?” Enrol directly with a provider online. You won’t have payroll deductions — set up automatic payments from your bank account instead. You won’t receive employer contributions but can still get the MTC if you contribute $1,042.86 by 30 June.
Checklist After Re-Enrolling
- Confirm your fund type is appropriate for your age (growth or balanced for most under 50)
- Set your contribution rate (4–6% recommended as a minimum)
- Check your PIR rate in myIR — correct it if needed before the fund starts applying the wrong tax rate
- Verify your new employer is submitting contributions (check first payslip after 2–3 pays)
- Locate any previous KiwiSaver balance and arrange a transfer to your new provider if desired
- Set a reminder for 30 June to ensure you’ll hit the $1,042.86 MTC threshold