How much will you have at retirement? Enter your details below to project your savings in both nominal (future) dollars and today’s dollars (inflation-adjusted).
To retire comfortably in NZ, most financial planners suggest a target of 10–12x your final salary in savings, plus NZ Super (~$534/week single, ~$436/week each for couples, 2026 rates). Use this calculator to see your projected balance and whether you're on track. Adjust contribution rates and return assumptions to see the impact of different strategies.
Retirement Calculator
How to Use This Calculator
- Current age: Enter your age today
- Retirement age: When you plan to retire (NZ Super eligibility starts at 65)
- Current savings: Total KiwiSaver + other retirement savings today
- Monthly contribution: Total monthly saving (KiwiSaver employee + employer + voluntary = combined)
- Annual return: Expected return rate. Growth KiwiSaver funds have averaged 8–10% historically. Use 7% for a conservative estimate, 8–9% for a base case.
- Inflation rate: Use 2.5% for NZ base case (RBNZ target midpoint 2%)
NZ KiwiSaver Benchmarks by Age
Average KiwiSaver balance data from MBIE / Financial Markets Authority (approximate):
| Age bracket | Average KiwiSaver balance (2024) |
|---|---|
| Under 25 | ~$4,000–8,000 |
| 25–34 | ~$18,000–35,000 |
| 35–44 | ~$55,000–90,000 |
| 45–54 | ~$95,000–150,000 |
| 55–64 | ~$130,000–220,000 |
| 65+ | ~$150,000–270,000 |
These are averages — many accounts are lower due to low contribution rates, career gaps, or late enrolment. Maximising contributions in your 30s and 40s has the greatest compounding impact.
Return Rate Guidance
| Asset type / fund type | Approximate historical return (long run) |
|---|---|
| Conservative KiwiSaver fund | 4–5% p.a. |
| Balanced KiwiSaver fund | 6–7% p.a. |
| Growth KiwiSaver fund | 8–10% p.a. |
| Aggressive / high-growth fund | 9–12% p.a. |
| NZ 10-year government bond | 4–5% p.a. |
| Cash / term deposit | 3–5% p.a. (cycle-dependent) |
For someone aged 25–50 with 15+ years to retirement, a growth fund is typically appropriate — the extra 2–3% annual return compounding over decades is worth substantially more than the reduced volatility of a conservative fund.
Interpreting the Results
Nominal value: The dollar amount your account will show at retirement. This is the headline number, but not what it buys.
Today’s dollars (real value): What that nominal amount is worth in today’s purchasing power, after inflation erodes its value. This is the number that matters for planning retirement income.
4% withdrawal rule: A widely used retirement planning guideline suggesting you can withdraw 4% of your portfolio annually (inflation-adjusted) without running out of money over a 30-year retirement. Divide your real value by 25 to get the sustainable annual income.