Managed Fund vs KiwiSaver Calculator NZ
This calculator compares putting extra money into a managed fund against contributing more to KiwiSaver, so you can weigh the KiwiSaver boost from employer and government contributions against having your money locked away until 65 or a first home. You enter your monthly contribution, the expected annual return, the number of years you plan to invest, how much your employer adds to KiwiSaver each month, and the government contribution you receive each year. The calculator grows both options at the same rate of return, adding the employer amount every month and the government amount every year to the KiwiSaver side only, since a managed fund receives neither. It returns the projected balance each option reaches, shown side by side as your KiwiSaver balance and your managed fund balance, along with the KiwiSaver boost, the extra amount those top-ups add beyond your own contributions alone. A short verdict line shows which option builds the larger balance over your chosen period. Use it to weigh a real decision: KiwiSaver usually grows faster once employer and government contributions are added, but that money is inaccessible until retirement age or a first home purchase, while a managed fund stays available whenever you need it. Your actual employer match and government contribution depend on your income, employment status and KiwiSaver eligibility, so treat the results as an indicative estimate rather than financial advice.
KiwiSaver adds the employer and government contributions you enter, but is locked until 65 or a first home. A managed fund has no such additions but stays accessible. Employer and government amounts depend on your pay and eligibility. Estimate only, not financial advice.
How it works
The calculator grows your monthly contribution at your expected return for both options. For KiwiSaver it also adds the employer contribution each month and the government contribution each year, all compounding. For the managed fund it grows only your own contribution. The KiwiSaver boost is the difference, the value of the contributions you only get inside KiwiSaver, set against the fact that KiwiSaver is locked away.
Worked example
Contributing $400 a month at 6% for 20 years grows a managed fund to around $185,000. Inside KiwiSaver, with a $240 monthly employer contribution and a $260.72 yearly government contribution added, the balance could reach roughly $300,000, a large boost, but you cannot access it until 65 or a first home.
Related calculators
- KiwiSaver Calculator: Project KiwiSaver.
- KiwiSaver vs Mortgage Calculator: KiwiSaver or mortgage.
- Investment Calculator: project a fund.
- Fund Fee Drag Calculator: the cost of fees.
- Understanding Managed Fund Fees: background on this topic.