Smart steps to success

Welcome to Mercer! We have been helping Kiwis save for their retirement for over 60 years and we're excited to have you onboard in our KiwiSaver scheme. If you have any questions please call us on 0508 637 237 and we offer free financial advice.  

To get you started we’ll guide you through a series of simple steps to help you maximise your KiwiSaver account. Remember you can access your KiwiSaver money once you reach the qualifying age for New Zealand Super, currently age 65 and you may also be eligible to withdraw your KiwiSaver savings (except for $1,000) to put towards buying your first home.  

1. Manage

Accessing your account online is an easy way to check your balance and update your details. It’s easy to activate your online account (if you haven’t already) by registering your email address and password by clicking ‘Login’ at the top of this webpage and then clicking the ‘Activate my email’ link. If you have any questions, please visit our FAQ’s or call us on 0508 637 237.

2. Choose

We can help you get ahead by choosing the right KiwiSaver investment option that best matches your attitude to risk, financial goals and timeframe. You can choose from seven different investment options with Mercer – from 100% Cash to 100% Shares – or you can split your savings across multiple options. We recommend you take our Fund Selector to check if your investment option is right for you.

3. Grow

One of the best ways to grow your KiwiSaver savings is to contribute (if you are financially able to). Contributions to your KiwiSaver account can come from you, your employer and the Government.

• You can choose to contribute 3%, 4%, 6%, 8% or 10% of your before-tax salary or wages into your KiwiSaver account. Your employer has to match your contributions by at least 3% (providing you are contributing at least 3% from your pay). 

• If you have any other savings you would like to invest, it’s easy to top up your KiwiSaver account using online banking

• The Government will contribute as much as $521.43 to your KiwiSaver account every year (eligibility criteria apply ). 

Not sure if you’re on track to achieve your savings goal? We recommend you visit our Retirement Income Simulator tool to see what your KiwiSaver account balance will look like at retirement.

4. Check

Use our online tool to see if your KiwiSaver tax rate is correct. Choosing the wrong tax rate can have significant consequences, so it's best to get it right. The tax rate applied to your KiwiSaver investment earnings, known as your Prescribed Investor Rate (PIR), could be 10.5%, 17.5% or 28%, depending on your income from the past two years. We pay tax to Inland Revenue on your behalf and if you do not provide your PIR, it will be set at 28%. To change your tax rate, sign into your online account or call us on 0508 637 237.

5. GET SERIOUS ABOUT INVESTING

You may like to consider other investment products to help achieve your savings goal. With Mercer FlexiSaver , your savings are not locked in to a time or age value. You choose how much to invest, when to invest and what to invest in. You are able to deposit or withdraw your savings at any time. It’s easy to join Mercer FlexiSaver online.