KiwiSaver and Emigration: What Happens if You Move Overseas?
Leaving New Zealand permanently raises important questions about your KiwiSaver. Whether you withdraw your balance or leave your funds invested, understanding the rules around KiwiSaver and emigration can save you time, money, and stress.
Understanding KiwiSaver and Emigration: The Basics
KiwiSaver is designed primarily for New Zealand residents, but emigrating doesn't automatically close your account or forfeit your savings. When you leave New Zealand permanently, you have two main options: withdraw your full balance after a qualifying period, or leave your funds invested with your provider and let them continue to grow through your chosen investment funds. For a broader overview, see our guide to KiwiSaver withdrawal conditions.
The Inland Revenue Department (IRD) administers the emigration withdrawal rules under the KiwiSaver Act. It's important to understand that permanent emigration is treated differently from temporary overseas travel — taking a holiday, going on an OE, or working overseas on a temporary visa does not qualify you for an emigration withdrawal. Permanent emigration means leaving New Zealand with no intention to return as a resident. NZ Superannuation is a separate entitlement — withdrawing your KiwiSaver for emigration does not affect your future Super eligibility should you return to New Zealand later in life.
Two Paths When You Leave NZ
Withdraw Your Balance
After 1 year overseas, apply through your provider to receive your full KiwiSaver balance as cash. Your membership is closed by the IRD.
Leave Funds Invested
Keep your account open and let your investment funds continue to grow. Useful if you may return to NZ or want to preserve your retirement planning flexibility.
Not the Same as Temporary Travel
OE trips, working holidays, and temporary visas overseas do not qualify for emigration withdrawal. You must have permanently left NZ.
Eligibility for Withdrawal When Moving Overseas
Not everyone who moves overseas qualifies for a KiwiSaver emigration withdrawal. The IRD has specific criteria you must meet before your provider can release your funds.
Eligibility Requirements
MandatoryYou must be permanently emigrating — leaving NZ with no intention to return as a resident
You must have lived outside NZ for at least 1 year continuously
A statutory declaration of permanent emigration is required
The IRD confirms your departure date and residency status
Apply through your KiwiSaver provider (not directly through IRD)
Who Does Not Qualify
IneligibleTravelling overseas temporarily (holiday, OE, working holiday)
Working overseas on a temporary visa with plans to return
Haven't yet been overseas for the full 1-year qualifying period
Not sure if you qualify? Financial advisers can help you determine whether an emigration withdrawal is right for your situation.
Moving to Australia? Special rules apply
Under the Trans-Tasman portability arrangement, you can transfer your KiwiSaver savings to a complying Australian superannuation scheme rather than withdrawing them as cash. This keeps your retirement planning on track in your new country. Financial advisers familiar with both systems can guide you through the transfer process.
portability arrangement
The Withdrawal Process After Emigration
Once you've been living overseas for at least one year and meet the eligibility criteria, the withdrawal process is straightforward. Your investment funds are liquidated by your provider and the balance is sent as cash to your nominated bank account — which can be an overseas account.
Processing time is typically 15–25 working days from when your provider receives a complete application. The IRD verifies your emigration status during this period, and once confirmed, your KiwiSaver membership is formally closed.
Timeline: Departure to Withdrawal
Leave NZ → wait 12 months overseas → apply to provider → IRD verification → funds transferred (15–25 working days). Total: approximately 13–14 months from your departure date.
Steps to Withdraw After Emigration
Complete Statutory Declaration
Sign a statutory declaration confirming you have permanently emigrated from New Zealand and do not intend to return as a resident.
Provide Evidence of Overseas Residence
Supply proof that you have been living outside NZ continuously for at least one year — such as foreign utility bills, tenancy agreements, or visa documentation.
Submit Application to Your Provider
Contact your KiwiSaver provider and submit the completed application along with your statutory declaration and supporting evidence.
Provider Verifies with IRD
Your provider forwards the application to the IRD for verification of your departure date and emigration status. This is the main processing step.
Funds Transferred to Your Account
Once approved, your investment funds are liquidated and the cash balance is transferred to your nominated bank account, which can be an overseas account. Allow 15–25 working days.
Should You Keep or Withdraw Your KiwiSaver?
This is the most important decision you'll face. Both options have significant implications for your retirement planning, so it's worth considering the trade-offs carefully before you decide.
Keep Your KiwiSaver
Long-termFunds continue to grow through your chosen investment funds
Maintains retirement planning flexibility if you return to NZ
Continuous membership clock — no restart if you come back
Can still make voluntary contributions (though no Member Tax Credit)
Withdraw Your KiwiSaver
ImmediateAccess your full balance for overseas settling costs
Lose future Member Tax Credits permanently
No more employer contributions from NZ employment
Consider exchange rate implications and tax in your new country
Get personalised advice before deciding
Financial advisers can model both scenarios for your specific balance, fund type, and destination country. Retirement planning in your new country may have different savings vehicles — an adviser can help you integrate your KiwiSaver decision into a broader strategy.
Impact on Contributions and Benefits
Emigrating from New Zealand affects several components of your KiwiSaver. Whether you withdraw or keep your account, certain benefits of KiwiSaver will change the moment you leave NZ employment and residency.
Employer contributions cease immediately when you leave NZ employment. The IRD stops tracking PAYE-based contributions once you are no longer on a New Zealand payroll. Member Tax Credits also stop for non-residents — you are no longer eligible for the government's annual top-up once you leave.
Employer contributions stop
No more 3% employer match once you leave NZ employment.
Member Tax Credits end
Non-residents are not eligible for the $521.43 annual government contribution.
First home withdrawal lost
The first home buyer withdrawal option is forfeited if you withdraw for emigration.
What Continues if You Keep Your Account
If you choose not to withdraw, your KiwiSaver account remains open and your investment funds continue to generate returns. You can still make voluntary contributions from overseas, although you won't receive the Member Tax Credit on them.
Investment returns continue to compound, and your account balance will fluctuate with market performance just as it did while you were in New Zealand. Management fees still apply.
If you keep your account open
Need to withdraw before 1 year?
In exceptional circumstances, a financial hardship withdrawal may be possible, but emigration alone does not qualify. Different rules and evidence apply.
Returning to New Zealand: Rejoining KiwiSaver
Life circumstances change, and many Kiwis who emigrate eventually return home. Whether you withdrew your KiwiSaver or kept it open, here's what happens when you come back.
If You Withdrew
You can rejoin KiwiSaver when you resume NZ employment. However, your 3-year membership clock restarts from scratch — meaning you won't be eligible for a first home buyer withdrawal or certain other time-based benefits until you've been a member for another three years.
You start fresh with a zero balance. Employer contributions and Member Tax Credits resume once you're back in NZ employment and contributing.
If You Kept Your Account
Your membership is continuous — no restart needed. You resume full access to all KiwiSaver benefits the moment you return to NZ employment. Your balance has continued to grow through your investment funds while you were away.
The retirement planning benefit of continuous membership is significant, particularly if you're approaching the age when you'll want to access your savings.
NZ Superannuation is separate
NZ Superannuation eligibility is based on residency from age 20, not on KiwiSaver membership. Withdrawing your KiwiSaver for emigration does not affect your future Super entitlement. If you return and meet the residency requirements by age 65, you remain eligible. Consult a financial adviser before deciding to keep or withdraw your KiwiSaver.
Key Numbers for Emigrating KiwiSaver Members
The essential figures you need to know when planning your KiwiSaver emigration withdrawal.
minimum overseas
Qualifying Period
You must live outside NZ continuously for at least one year before applying to withdraw.
working days
Processing Time
Typical timeframe from complete application to funds arriving in your bank account.
of your balance
Full Withdrawal
Unlike other withdrawal types, emigration entitles you to your entire KiwiSaver balance.
clock restarts
Rejoin Wait
If you withdrew and later return to NZ, your membership clock restarts from zero.
Planning to Move Overseas?
Get the right advice before you go. Compare your KiwiSaver fund options, understand your balance, and connect with a licensed adviser who can help you make the best decision.