Smart steps to success

Welcome to Mercer! We have been helping Kiwis save for their retirement for over 65 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.

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 your account

Accessing your account online at www.mercerfinancialservices.co.nz 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.

2. Choose your investment option

We can help you choose the KiwiSaver investment option which may best match 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 your retirement savings

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. Currently, if you are 18 years old or older, your employer must match your contributions by at least 3% as long as you are contributing at least 3% of your pay. For those under 18, employer contribution requirements do not apply. However, starting from 1 April 2026, employers will be required to contribute for 16- and 17-year-olds. In this case, employers must contribute a minimum of 3.5% if you are also contributing at least 3.5% from your pay. Please note that the default contribution rates for KiwiSaver will increase from 3% to 4% in two steps: to 3.5% on 1 April 2026 and to 4% on 1 April 2028. This phased increase allows time for both workers and employers to adjust. Members will be able to apply for a rate reduction from 1 February 2026, ahead of the contribution rate increases that will take effect later. You can temporarily choose to stay at the current 3% rate and still receive matching contributions from your employer, which may be beneficial for managing your finances. For more information, please visit IRD KiwiSaver changes.

• 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 $260.72 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 your tax rate

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.

5. Additional investments

You may like to consider other investment products to help achieve your savings goal. With Mercer FlexiSaver, your savings are not locked into 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.

If you have any questions, please call us on 0508 637 237

To receive financial advice, please complete this online form and one of the team will get in touch with you.