Benefits are locked in until age 65 or after a minimum five years of membership, whichever is the later.
Earlier withdrawals are permissible in cases of significant financial hardship, permanent emigration, serious illness, death, or for a first home deposit.
Members are not able to make an early withdrawal of member tax credits if they permanently emigrate, suffer serious illness or wish to make a deposit on a first home. In addition, the member tax credit was not able to be withdrawn under mortgage diversion. The mortgage diversion facility was removed from KiwiSaver on 1 June 2009.