About deferred membership
You don't need to withdraw your money from UniSaver when you leave work. With our consent and the consent of your employer, you may elect to leave all or part of your benefit in UniSaver and become a deferred member. Your member contributions and employer contributions will cease. However, if you are a locked member, you will be able to make top-up contributions to your member locked account to qualify for the maximum member tax credit. Currently you need to contribute $1,042.86 a year to your member locked account to qualify for the maximum member tax credit of $521.43. For the purposes of the member tax credit, the year runs from 1 July to 31 June (whereas the scheme financial year is the same as the calendar year). Read more.
You will continue to earn interest on your savings in the usual way. You can also change your investment choice at any time.
You can remain a deferred member indefinitely so long as you maintain a balance of at least $5,000 in your accounts.
Making withdrawals
As a deferred member, you can make partial withdrawals once each quarter or set up a regular monthly payment. You are only eligible to make withdrawals from your locked in accounts if you have:
- reached the qualifying age for New Zealand Superannuation (currently age 65), and
- have completed five or more years' membership of the locked section (or another complying superannuation fund or KiwiSaver scheme).
Read more about making withdrawals.
Fees
Administration fee
A monthly administration fee (currently $4.36) will be deducted from your account.
Partial withdrawals
The first partial withdrawal you make in any 12-month period is free. A fee (currently $39.66) will be charged for the second and any subsequent withdrawal in that same period.
Regular withdrawals
There is a one-off establishment fee (currently $80.74) for setting up a regular monthly payment. You won't be charged a fee for each monthly payment or for changing the amount of the payment.
How to become a deferred member
Complete a Leaving service form and choose the 'deferred member' option.