In this episode of Money Made Simple, Jennie and Liv revisit one of the most important - and most overlooked - parts of your KiwiSaver: your contribution rate. With changes coming into effect in 2026, including a lift to the default minimum, now's the perfect time to check in and ask whether you're actually contributing enough. 

 From what's changed and what it means for your take-home pay, to how to think about contributions based on your income, life stage and goals, this episode breaks down how to make KiwiSaver work for you - not just what the default says. 

This episode covers:

• What's changing in 2026, including the rise in minimum contributions from 3% to 3.5% (with another increase planned)
• Updates to government contributions and new eligibility rules
  Why 3.5% is a useful baseline, but not necessarily the right number for everyone
• How to think about contributions based on your income, life stage and long-term goals
• The trade-off between contributing more to KiwiSaver vs investing outside it for flexibility
• Why small increases like 0.5% can make a big difference over time thanks to compounding
• What to do if cash flow is tight, and when it might make sense to temporarily reduce contributions
• How self-employed Kiwis can approach KiwiSaver, including voluntary contributions and government incentives
• Why fund choice and fees can matter just as much as your contribution rate

 Jennie and Liv explain in plain English why there's no one "perfect" contribution rate - only the one that works for you. The key is not leaving it on autopilot. A quick check-in now could make a meaningful difference to your future. 

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Disclaimer: This podcast contains personal opinions and is intended to provide educational information only. It doesn't relate to your particular financial situation or goals and is not financial advice or recommendations. Simplicity New Zealand Limited is the issuer of the Simplicity KiwiSaver scheme and investment funds. For product disclosure statements please visit Simplicity's website simplicity. kiwi.