KiwiSaver Provider Comparison: Your Complete Checklist

KiwiSaver Provider Comparison Checklist: What to Evaluate Before You Switch

If you signed up for KiwiSaver years ago and haven't looked at it since, you're not alone. Most of us set and forget, which is kind of the point of a retirement savings scheme.

But not all KiwiSaver providers are created equal, and the one you landed in might not be the best fit anymore.

Maybe you were auto-enrolled into a default fund or you went with a bank scheme because it was convenient. Whatever the situation, your KiwiSaver could be in need of a closer look. 

We've put together a practical checklist to help you compare KiwiSaver providers and figure out if it might be a good idea to switch. 

Fee Transparency: What Are You Actually Paying?

Fees can quietly eat away at your KiwiSaver balance over time. The difference between paying 0.5% and 1.5% annually might sound small, but over 30 years, it could add up to tens of thousands of dollars.

Not all providers make their fee structures easy to understand. Some bundle everything into one number, while others break it out across management, admin and potentially performance & membership fees. 

Questions to Ask About Fees

☐ What's the total annual fee as a percentage of my balance?

☐ Are there separate admin fees, fund management fees or performance fees?

☐ How do fees compare across their different fund types?

☐ Are there any transaction or switching fees?

☐ Is the fee information easy to find on their website?

Providers like Sharesies publish their complete fee structure openly on their website, making it straightforward to calculate what you'd pay. If you have to dig through fine print to understand a provider’s pricing, It’s probably worth a deeper think.

You can also check the Smart Investor tool on the Sorted website to compare KiwiSaver providers in a standardised way.

Fund Options: How Much Control Do You Want?

Traditional KiwiSaver schemes give you a few fund choices, usually ranging from conservative to growth, and that's about it. You pick one, your money goes in and someone else manages where it gets invested.

For some people, that's exactly what they want. Set it and forget it really does work for retirement savings. But if you’d like more say in where your money goes, some providers now offer significantly more flexibility.

A thorough KiwiSaver fund comparison should cover more than just performance numbers.

Questions to Ask About Fund Flexibility

☐ How many fund options does the provider offer?

☐ Can you split your contributions across multiple funds?

☐ Is there a self-select option for choosing individual investments?

☐ Can you access international markets, including US shares?

☐ How easy is it to switch between funds?

☐ Are there ethical or sustainable fund options?

Self-select schemes are worth knowing about if you want more hands-on involvement. The Sharesies KiwiSaver Scheme, for example, lets members choose from over 150 NZ and US-listed companies and ETFs to add alongside their base funds. Their US500 Fund gives exposure to the S&P 500 through a PIE (Portfolio Investment Entity) structure, which can offer tax advantages for NZ investors.

That said, more choice isn't automatically better. If you're not interested in managing your own picks, a straightforward scheme with well-managed funds might suit you better. 

Platform Experience: Can You Actually Use It?

You shouldn't need a finance degree to check your KiwiSaver balance. A good platform makes it easy to see where your money is, track contributions and make changes without getting lost.

Questions to Ask About the Platform

☐ Is there a mobile app, and is it well-reviewed?

☐ Can you easily see your balance, contributions and returns?

☐ Are there tools to help you understand your investment plan?

☐ How quickly can you get help if something goes wrong?

☐ Does the provider offer educational resources to help you learn?

Some providers have invested heavily in making their platforms intuitive. Sharesies built their KiwiSaver experience around an investment plan builder that lets you experiment with different fund combinations before committing.

If you've ever logged into your current provider's website and felt confused about what you were looking at, it might be time to do a proper KiwiSaver provider comparison and see what else is out there.

Recent KiwiSaver Changes Worth Knowing About

The Government has rolled out several KiwiSaver changes over the past year, with more still being phased in. These affect everyone, but how your provider communicates and adapts to them is important. 

The Contribution Rate Has Increased 

The default contribution rate is rising from 3% to 3.5% in April 2026, then to 4% in April 2028. Both employee and employer contributions follow this schedule. You can apply to Inland Revenue for a temporary reduction back to 3% if you need it.

The Government Has Halved Its Contribution 

The Government contribution dropped from 50 cents to 25 cents for each  dollar you contribute, reducing the maximum from $521.43 to $260.72 per year. You need to make sure you contribute $1042.86 to get the full government contribution. 

An Income Cap Now Applies to the Government Contribution

If you earn over $180,000, you're no longer eligible for the Government contribution.

Younger Members Have Been Included

16 and 17-year-olds now qualify for Government contributions provided they have contributed, with employer contributions also kicking in from April 2026.

Questions to Ask About the Recent Changes

☐ Has my provider clearly communicated how these changes affect me? 

☐ Does their calculator reflect the new contribution rates and Government contribution?

 ☐ Do I understand whether the higher contribution rates work for my budget? 

☐ If I earn over $180,000, have I factored in losing the Government contribution?

For most people, the increased employer and employee contributions should outweigh the reduction in Government contribution over time. 

The Retirement Commission's analysis suggests KiwiSaver balances could grow more quickly under the new settings for around 80% of contributing members.

The Complete KiwiSaver Provider Comparison Checklist

Here's everything in one place. Print it out, save it or work through it online. 

Fees 

☐ Total annual fees clearly stated 

☐ No hiddenfees 

☐ Fee information easy to find and understand

Fund Options 

☐ Range of risk levels (conservative to growth) 

☐ Ability to split investment across multiple funds 

☐ Self-select options if you want them 

☐ International market access 

☐ Ethical/sustainable fund choices

Platform & Support 

☐ Mobile app available and user-friendly 

☐ Clear reporting on balance and returns 

☐ Educational resources provided 

☐ Responsive customer support

Adapting to Changes 

☐ Clear communication about recent changes 

☐ Updated calculators and tools 

☐ Guidance on how changes affect your situation

Ready to Compare KiwiSaver Providers?

Wondering how to change KiwiSaver providers? It’s pretty simple. You can switch for free and it usually involves just a bit of paperwork, plus about 10 business days for the transfer. The harder part is deciding whether switching makes sense for you.

Use the checklists to evaluate your current provider against the alternatives. Finding the best KiwiSaver providers NZ has to offer really comes down to what matters most to you, whether that's low fees, fund flexibility, platform experience or a combination of all three.

You can use Glimp's KiwiSaver comparison tool to see how different providers stack up on fees and fund options. And if you're curious about a self-select approach with access to NZ and US markets, Sharesies' KiwiSaver Scheme is worth exploring.

Whatever you decide, the important thing is that you've actually looked. Your future self will thank you for it.

Disclaimer: This article is general information only and doesn't constitute financial advice. KiwiSaver involves investment risk, meaning you might lose some of the money you put in. Consider seeking independent financial advice before making decisions about your KiwiSaver investment.

Sharesies Investment Management Limited is the issuer of the Sharesies KiwiSaver Scheme. The product disclosure statement (PDS) for the Sharesies KiwiSaver Scheme has been lodged, and may be viewed on the Disclose Register or on our documents page.