Your KiwiSaver funds and bankruptcy
Your KiwiSaver funds are an asset. You may be able to use your KiwiSaver funds to pay off your debts if you become bankrupt. However in the case of a KiwiSaver scheme, the funds are protected from your creditors while they remain in the fund. Find out more at the New Zealand Insolvency and Trustee website.
New Zealand Insolvency and Trustee Service
Make sure you tell your provider your new IRD number if you’re assigned a new one after becoming bankrupt.
Relationship property and KiwiSaver funds
Your KiwiSaver funds may be relationship property.
Contact a lawyer for more information.
Paying a tax liability or student loan using a foreign superannuation transfer
If you transferred funds from a foreign superannuation fund into a KiwiSaver scheme, you may be able to withdraw from your savings. This can be used to pay tax due on your foreign superannuation scheme or foreign student loans.
This is managed by your KiwiSaver provider, so you should contact them for more information. However, you can also work out how much you can withdraw by using our Partial withdrawal for foreign superannuation tax liability calculation sheet - IR496.
Your KiwiSaver funds when you die
Your KiwiSaver funds will become part of your estate when you die. Make sure the person looking after your will knows who your provider is. They’ll need to contact your provider to get your funds.
