UniSaver New Zealand is an employer-sponsored registered superannuation scheme. It was established on 1 March 1993. Membership of UniSaver is available to all permanent and eligible fixed-term employees of participating New Zealand universities. The current participants in UniSaver are:
- The University of Auckland
- Auckland UniServices Limited
- The University of Waikato
- Massey University
- Victoria University of Wellington
- Victoria Link Limited t/a Wellington UniVentures
- University of Canterbury
- Lincoln University
- Lincoln Hospitality Limited
- Lincoln Agritech Limited
- University of Otago
- Universities NZ
- Academic Quality Agency for New Zealand Universities
Trustee
UniSaver Limited is the trustee and manager of UniSaver New Zealand. UniSaver is the only scheme we manage. We do not carry out any other business other than acting as trustee of the scheme.
Our purpose
We help members provide for their long-term financial security. We deliver an attractive and competitive benefit that supports universities’ efforts to recruit and retain staff.
Our vision
UniSaver is the natural choice for university staff. Members are engaged and feel empowered to make choices that support their financial wellbeing.
Our mission
We provide a carefully designed, industry-leading retirement savings plan. We support universities to provide competitive benefits aiding staff wellbeing, retention, engagement and satisfaction.
We provide considered stewardship as kaitiaki of our members’ savings. We make prudent decisions based on expert advice and best practice. We leverage the scheme’s not-for-profit status to deliver value for money.
We offer educational opportunities, resources and tools that empower all university staff to set and achieve their financial goals.
Our values
- Inclusivity
- Integrity
- Excellence
Directors of the trustee
UniSaver Limited currently has six directors. Two directors are appointed by the universities, two are elected by the members of UniSaver in accordance with the procedures laid down in the trust deed [PDF, 773 KB] and two are independent professional trustees.
Ian Russon | Independent chair Professional director
Adrienne Cleland | Director (appointed by the universities) Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Operations) & Registrar, University of Auckland
Toby Daglish | Member-elected director Associate Professor, School of Economics and Finance, Victoria University of Wellington
Amanda Derry | Director (appointed by the universities) Director, People and Culture, University of Canterbury
Carolyn Dimond | Member-elected director Chief Financial Officer, Massey University
Sarah Graydon | Licensed independent trustee Professional director
Licensed independent trustee
The Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013 requires that at least one of our directors is a licensed independent trustee. Licences are granted by the Financial Markets Authority (FMA) and are subject to conditions, including regular reporting to the FMA. Sarah Graydon is the licensed independent trustee director for UniSaver.
Principal advisers
UniSaver Ltd has appointed Mercer (N.Z.) Limited as administration manager and as its secretary and Russell Investments Group Limited as investment consultant and investment manager.
How UniSaver works
UniSaver is a defined contribution superannuation scheme. This means that benefits from UniSaver are based on contributions made and investment returns received, after deduction of fees, expenses and tax.
UniSaver has a complying superannuation fund section (the locked section), which offers government contributions in the same way as KiwiSaver in return for stricter contribution and withdrawal requirements. If you are a fixed-term employee, you can only participate in the locked section.
Contributions
Depending on your membership category, you will usually need to contribute a minimum of either 3% or 4% of your salary.
Most members qualify for an employer subsidy provided their employer is not contributing to another superannuation scheme for them. If you qualify, your employer will generally contribute $1.35 (before tax) for every $1 you contribute. To achieve the maximum employer subsidy of 6.75% (before tax) of your salary, you need to contribute 5% of your salary.
If you don’t qualify for an employer subsidy, you can still join UniSaver and may qualify for compulsory employer contributions (currently 3%) if you join the locked section.
Investment options
Members are offered a choice of UniSteps, which is a 'glide path' structure where the allocation to growth assets reduces over time, or their own mix of four base options (Growth, Balanced, Conservative and Cash), each with a different, largely fixed split between growth and income assets. UniSteps uses three options - Growth, Balanced and Conservative - as 'building blocks' to transition members' savings from predominantly growth assets to predominantly income assets over time.
Fees and expenses
Fees are charged to UniSaver by UniSaver’s administration manager, secretary, investment consultant and investment manager, communications consultant, website provider and the independent directors of UniSaver Limited. Investment management fees are usually deducted from the assets invested on UniSaver’s behalf. Expenses associated with operating UniSaver are usually paid out of UniSaver or, in the case of investment expenses, from its investments. Some service fees apply.
These fees and expenses will affect your benefit from UniSaver.
Benefits
Because UniSaver is a superannuation scheme intended to help you save for your retirement, withdrawals are restricted. Different benefit rules apply to locked amounts held by locked members. Conditions apply to all benefits. Read more about benefits.
Risks
All investments involve risk. The principal risks applying to UniSaver that could affect your returns are investment risk, counter-party risk and risks relating to the performance of parties involved in UniSaver, risks relating to the collection and payment of contributions by employers and tax and regulatory risk.
Investments in UniSaver are not guaranteed.