You may have noticed your UniSaver account balance has fallen in recent weeks, especially if you are invested in an option with a significant allocation to growth assets like shares. The S&P500 index, which tracks the performance of the 500 largest U.S. companies, has continued to slide since reaching an all-time high on 19 February. All eyes are on the U.S. and President Trump’s on-again-off-again approach to implementing tariffs against its three largest trading partners: Canada, Mexico and China.

Mercer, our administration manager, is moving to a new sign in system that uses a combination of an email address and password. The first time you sign in to your account from Wednesday 12 March, you’ll be required to follow a once-only authentication process. First, you’ll be required to enter your membership number, date of birth and email address. Then, you’ll be prompted to set up your security methods: email, password and mobile phone number. This allows for multi-factor authentication, which provides an additional layer of security. For example, if you attempt to sign in from a new device, we’ll send a verification code by email or SMS just to make sure it’s you. Check our question and answer page or contact the helpline if you have trouble with the authentication process. 

Posted 21 February 2025

We have received a number of requests from members asking us to divest in Israeli companies as well as international companies listed by the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement led by the Palestinian BDS National Committee (BNC).

UniSaver invests in securities selected by its investment consultant and manager Russell Investments under broad guidance set out in our statement of investment policy and objectives [external link]. We require Russell Investments to comply with New Zealand government sanctions when making investment decisions. As New Zealand is a United Nations (UN) member state, this includes sanctions imposed by the UN Security Council. There are currently no New Zealand sanctions against Israel.

UniSaver investment options already have a reduced exposure to carbon and an increased exposure to renewables relative to benchmark due to an allocation to the Russell Investments Sustainable Global Shares Fund (read more here [external link]). We are introducing a new investment option on 30 April 2025 that takes this a step further. The new option – called Growth (Lower Carbon) – will be invested 80% in an equity fund that, relative to the fund index, targets a reduction in carbon exposure, an increase in exposure to renewable energy and the exclusion of companies with fossil fuel reserves or a significant involvement in fossil fuel activities. The remaining 20% will be invested in global bonds. Pānui ētahi / read more

Russell Investments' 10th Annual ESG Manager Survey offers a deep dive into the global trends shaping sustainable investing. By gathering insights from investment managers across the globe, this survey has become a critical tool for understanding the evolving landscape of ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) investing. Pānui ētahi anō / read more

Employer superannuation contribution tax (ESCT) is deducted from employer contributions before they are paid to UniSaver. The tax rate depends on your personal income. ESCT is not applied in the same tiered way as personal income tax rates and only one rate applies to the total amount of the employer contribution. Income thresholds for the various ESCT rates will change on 1 April 2025. See the tax and fees page for the new thresholds.

Continuing on the theme of the previous year, 2024 delivered solid investment returns for members, especially for those invested in options with a higher exposure to growth assets like shares.

Commentary on the 2024 investment year by Russell Investments, UniSaver’s investment consultant and manager.

Despite the tightest U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed) policy since the early 2000s and a deeply inverted Treasury yield curve, the U.S. economy defied expectations in 2024 with above-trend GDP growth, robust job creation, a 25% surge in the S&P 500 Index, and double-digit earnings growth. Pānui ētahi / read more

It's been widely reported in the New Zealand media that cost of living pressures have seen a rise in the number of significant financial hardship applications from KiwiSaver members. We’ve noticed a similar trend.

From age 65, you can withdraw some or all of your savings in the standard and locked sections of UniSaver. Here are your options.

We will pay your benefit to your legal personal representative(s) if you die while you are an active member of UniSaver or while you are entitled to a deferred benefit from the scheme.

Your benefit is not paid automatically when you leave work. You need to fill in form12 leaving form [PDF, 121 KB] in order to access your savings.