7 December 2006
KiwiSaver on track with default providers selected
Finance Minister Michael Cullen and Commerce Minister Lianne Dalziel today named six default providers they intend to
appoint for KiwiSaver, the workplace-based retirement savings scheme which comes into operation in July next year.
Dr Cullen said the announcement of the default providers is an important step in the introduction of the scheme which
aims to help New Zealanders develop long-term savings habits and will give them more choices for securing their
financial futures.
The six providers selected will be ready to accept members when the scheme comes into operation on July 1, 2007. They
are:
ASB Group Investments Limited
AMP Services (NZ) Limited
ING (NZ) Limited
Mercer Human Resource Consulting Limited
National Mutual Corporate Superannuation Services Limited (trading as AXA New Zealand) and
TOWER Employee Benefits Limited.
"The default providers are required to meet stringent criteria so as to ensure they are able to offer the kinds of
retirement savings options New Zealanders want and need," said Dr Cullen.
"The appointments are subject to each company becoming a KiwiSaver provider and successfully implementing the necessary
systems and processes that will be required for it to begin operating on 1 July 2007."
People who join KiwiSaver without nominating a preferred savings scheme will be automatically allocated to one of the
selected default providers.
"We had a large number of applicants and our appointment of a number of default providers will ensure KiwiSavers who
don't choose their own provider will still be looked after by a provider of high quality.
"This is important to ensure employees can have confidence in KiwiSaver.
"I am heartened by the level of interest being shown by the savings industry which gives me confidence that employees
will have a good range of providers to choose from.
"KiwiSaver aims to make it easier for employees to save for their futures. It is essential New Zealanders develop better
long-term savings habits so they can look forward with more confidence to a retirement that meets their aspirations.
"Today's announcement shows we are on track for a successful launch of the scheme. A public information campaign will be
launched in the months before the 1 July start date together with forums to assist scheme providers," said Dr Cullen.
Lianne Dalziel said the selection of the companies to be appointed as default providers was an open competitive tender
process where ministers were assisted by advice from independent external experts who carried out detailed evaluation of
potential providers.
"In making our decision ministers followed a fair, consistent and transparent process which ensured all potential
default providers were assessed on an equal basis. Remember too that any provider, not just a default provider, will be
able to offer KiwiSaver schemes that meet the requirements of the KiwiSaver Act.
"New Zealanders will be able to actively choose a KiwiSaver scheme that best meets their specific savings needs. Members
are not confined to using one of the default providers and membership is easily transferable as people's needs change
over time," she said.
Background
KiwiSaver is a voluntary scheme where employees elect to contribute 4 or 8 per cent of their gross salary. They will be
automatically enrolled and will have eight weeks to opt out. To kick-start the scheme the government is providing a
$1000 contribution and paying some scheme fees in order to improve the returns for savers. Employer contributions to
KiwiSaver schemes will be exempt from tax, subject to a cap of the lesser of the employee's contribution or 4 per cent
of their gross salary or wages.
The official KiwiSaver website http://www.kiwisaver.govt.nz/ provides full information on the scheme.
Independent financial information about retirement saving is available on http://www.sorted.org.nz/
ENDS