Early access to KiwiSaver for people with life-shortening congenital conditions
The majority of New Zealanders are able to withdraw their KiwiSaver savings at the time they qualify for NZ Superannuation (65 years old). The Government has made it easier for people born with a condition that shortens their life expectancy below this age to withdraw their KiwiSaver balances.
On this page
In March 2021, the Government made an amendment to the KiwiSaver Act to allow a person who has a life-shortening congenital condition to withdraw their savings early in order to spend a reasonable portion of their adult life in retirement. Applicants who are able to show a medical certificate and other sufficient medical evidence for a set list of conditions are able to automatically withdraw their KiwiSaver balance.
The conditions are:
- Down syndrome (Down’s syndrome)
- Cerebral palsy
- Huntington’s disease (Huntington’s chorea)
- Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder
A person who has a (perhaps rare) congenital condition that is not on this list is still able to apply for a withdrawal if they are able to provide medical evidence that they have a congenital condition that shortens their life below the age of 65.
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Supplementary Order Paper - Taxation (KiwiSaver, Student Loans, and Remedial Matters) Bill [PDF 161KB]
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KiwiSaver and life shortening congenital conditions [PDF 426KB]
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Withdrawl of KiwiSaver due to life-shortening congenital conditions: Full impact summary [PDF 1.1MB]
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KiwiSaver and life shortening congenital conditions: Minute of Decision [PDF 190KB]
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Possible changes to KiwiSaver Act 2006 in relation to members with life-shortening congenital conditions [PDF 152KB]