KiwiSaver was initially created to help people save for their retirement, so the obvious answer for accessing your KiwiSaver funds is at age 65. But under the correct circumstances, funds can be accessed earlier.

There are four circumstances under which you can access your KiwiSaver early, they are:

1. purchasing your first home;
2. moving overseas permanently;
3. significant financial hardship; or
4. serious illness.

Remember that if you have received the $1,000.00 kickstart from the government, these funds are required to remain in your KiwiSaver until you reach retirement age.

For more information regarding the criteria which must be met to enable your KiwiSaver funds to be released early, visit the KiwiSaver.govt.nz website.