01
Buying your First Home
If you’re looking to buy your first home, your KiwiSaver savings could help. Learn how you can use KiwiSaver to buy your first home or if you’re ready to buy your first home, find out how to make a KiwiSaver first home withdrawal.
02
Financial Hardship
You might be eligible for an early withdrawal if you’re facing significant financial hardship. This includes being unable to meet your minimum living expenses. It also includes circumstances like modifying your home to meet the needs of a dependent family member with a disability.
If you're facing significant financial hardship, please go to our guide on accessing your savings for financial hardship to see if you could be eligible and for information on the withdrawal process.
03
Transfer to Australia
Permanently leaving for Australia? Once you're there, you can apply to transfer your KiwiSaver savings to an Australian complying superannuation fund.
The documents we will need from you include:
- Your completed KiwiSaver Permanent Emigration to Australia Transfer Application form and Statutory Declaration
- Certified passport (NZ and Australian passport holders) and accompanying NZ residency document (if you do not have a NZ or Australian passport)
- Certified evidence of departure e.g. certified copy of passport stamp, boarding pass, e-ticket (an e-ticket does not need to be certified), copy of passport showing entry stamps or visa, proof of shipment of possessions to an Australian address
- Certified evidence of your current overseas address e.g. banks statement, utility bill, tenancy agreement (digital/online PDF statements do not need to be certified)
- A letter from your complying Australian superannuation fund provider confirming they can accept KiwiSaver savings.
It takes around ten working days to process your application, if all the above information is provided correctly and we don't require further evidence.
04
Permanent Emigration
If you've permanently left New Zealand, you can apply to withdraw your KiwiSaver savings if you:
- Have resided outside of New Zealand for at least one year
- Live in a country other than Australia
The amount you get will include:
- Government kick-start
- Your contributions, your employer contributions and any investment returns
It won't include any annual Government contributions (which are returned to the Government) or any amount transferred from an Australian complying superannuation fund (which will stay in your KiwiSaver account).
The documents we will need from you include:
- Your completed KiwiSaver Permanent Emigration form and Statutory Declaration
- Certified passport (NZ and Australian passport holders) and accompanying NZ residency document (if you do not have a NZ or Australian passport)
- Certified evidence of departure e.g. passport stamp, boarding pass, e-ticket (an e-ticket does not need to be certified)
- Certified evidence of your current overseas address e.g. banks statement, utility bill, tenancy agreement (digital/online PDF statements do not need to be certified)
- Evidence of bank account for payment - if the payment is for an overseas account please see information you'll need here.
It takes around ten working days to process your application if all the above information is provided correctly and we don't require further evidence.
05
Serious Illness
If you’re seriously ill, are injured or become disabled and can no longer work, you can apply to withdraw all of your KiwiSaver savings. You’ll need to supply medical evidence to support your application.
Please call us on 0800 ASB RETIRE (0800 272 738) to talk to us about your circumstances and the withdrawal process.
06
Life-shortening Congenital Conditions
If you were born with a life-shortening condition, you may be able to elect an early retirement age and begin to withdraw your savings before you turn 65.
This withdrawal option is only available to KiwiSaver members who suffer from certain congenital conditions. Please call us on 0800 ASB RETIRE (0800 272 738) to talk through your circumstances and the withdrawal process.
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Frequently asked questions
Manage your ASB KiwiSaver Scheme account
Other helpful guides
Interests in the ASB KiwiSaver Scheme (Scheme) are issued by ASB Group Investments Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of ASB Bank Limited (ASB). ASB provides Scheme administration and distribution services. No person guarantees interests in the Scheme. Interests in the Scheme are not deposits or other liabilities of ASB. They are subject to investment risk, including possible loss of income and principal invested. For more information see the ASB KiwiSaver Scheme Product Disclosure Statement available from this website and the register of offers of financial products at www.disclose-register.companiesoffice.govt.nz (search for ASB KiwiSaver Scheme).
