KiwiSaver Opt Out Form KS10: Download & Submit Guide

New Zealand’s KiwiSaver scheme auto-enrolls most employees from day one of a new job. If that isn’t the right fit, there’s a defined window to step back — and the official form that makes it happen is the KS10. This guide walks through exactly who can use it, when to act, and what switching out actually means for your pay packet.

Official Form Name: KS10 · Opt-Out Window for New Employees: Day 14 to 56 · Submission Methods: myIR online or PDF · Governing Body: Inland Revenue (IRD)

How do I opt out of KiwiSaver?

The KS10 form is the official KiwiSaver opt-out request form, governed by the KiwiSaver Act 2006. Employees can submit it either directly to Inland Revenue or through their employer (Inland Revenue KS10 Form April 2020).

Opt out via myIR online

Employers can submit the KS10 form electronically through their Payroll returns account in myIR (Inland Revenue official guidance). Employees themselves cannot use myIR to initiate an opt-out, but they can download the PDF form from the Inland Revenue website.

Download and submit KS10 PDF

The April 2020 version of the KS10 form (81KB) requires the employee’s IRD number, the employer’s IRD number, and bank account details for refund purposes. The form is included in the KiwiSaver enrolment pack given to new employees (Inland Revenue official guidance).

Employer-assisted opt out

If submitted to the employer within the opt-out window (days 14–56), the employer can stop deductions immediately (Inland Revenue official guidance). Employers must then send the completed KS10 form to Inland Revenue — either electronically via myIR or with their next Employer schedule (IR348) if filing by paper (Inland Revenue official guidance).

The implication: short-term workers and job-hoppers face repeated administrative effort every time they change employers.

How long does it take to opt out of KiwiSaver?

Inland Revenue processes opt-out requests promptly, but the agency does not publicly commit to a specific number of business days for completion. The opt-out becomes effective from the submission date if the employee is within the eligible window (Inland Revenue official guidance).

Processing time after submission

Once Inland Revenue receives the KS10 form, deductions typically cease from the next pay cycle. If the employer submits the form directly, they can update their payroll accordingly immediately. The exact interval depends on when the next scheduled payday falls.

Opt-out effective date

For standard opt-outs submitted within days 14–56, the effective date aligns with the submission date recorded by Inland Revenue. Late opt-out requests — those made after day 57 — may be approved up to 3 months after the employee’s first contribution, provided a written reason for the delay is supplied (Inland Revenue official guidance).

Why do people opt out of KiwiSaver?

The reasons fall into a few predictable categories. Short-term employment is the most common trigger — if someone expects to leave within the first few months, losing a portion of contributions to exit fees or timing mismatches can feel like a net loss (Inland Revenue official guidance). Financial hardship is another legitimate driver, particularly when a new job comes with immediate cash-flow pressure and every dollar matters.

Common reasons for opting out

• Temporary or contract employment where the opt-out window aligns with an expected end date
• Immediate financial pressure that makes the 3% employee contribution a burden
• Already having alternative retirement savings in place
• Plans to leave New Zealand shortly

Financial considerations

A financial comparison from MoneyHub NZ notes that employer contributions (typically 3% of gross salary) are lost if an opt-out happens before those contributions vest or compound meaningfully. For short-term workers, the math of contributing for just a few weeks before opting out often does not justify the administrative effort.

Should I stop contributing to KiwiSaver?

This is where the decision gets personal. KiwiSaver is designed as a long-term savings vehicle, and early opt-outs come with trade-offs that are easy to overlook in the moment.

Pros and cons of opting out

Long-term impact

The KiwiSaver Act 2006 enables re-enrollment whenever the employee chooses, but the compounding time lost in the interim is real. According to MoneyHub NZ financial guide, re-entering the scheme later means missing years of employer-matched contributions — effectively leaving free money on the table.

Do I have to opt in to KiwiSaver?

Not in the traditional sense. New Zealand operates on automatic enrollment: most employees are enrolled from their first day of employment and must actively opt out if they wish to stop contributing.

Automatic enrollment rules

Employees under 16 years old require consent from a parent or legal guardian to opt out (Inland Revenue KS10 Form April 2020). Employees aged 16–18 can opt out without parental consent. The opt-out window for standard new employees runs from day 14 to day 56 — employees cannot opt out in the first 13 days of employment (Inland Revenue KS10 Form April 2020).

Opt-in for non-eligible groups

Employees over 65 and those on certain visa types must opt in manually — they are not automatically enrolled (Inland Revenue official guidance). For these groups, there is no opt-out form because they were never in the scheme by default.

“Use this form to opt out if automatically enrolled.” — Inland Revenue (New Zealand tax authority)

How to submit the KS10 form step by step

• Step 1 — Check eligibility: Confirm you are within days 14–56 of new employment. If you are under 16, obtain written parental or guardian consent.
• Step 2 — Download or obtain the form: Get the KS10 form (April 2020 version) from Inland Revenue or your employer’s KiwiSaver enrolment pack.
• Step 3 — Complete the form: Fill in your IRD number, your employer’s IRD number, your bank account details, and your employment start date. Sign and date the form.
• Step 4 — Submit: Give the completed form to your employer (who forwards it to IRD) or mail it directly to Inland Revenue. Employers can also submit via myIR.
• Step 5 — Confirm deductions stop: Check your next pay slip to confirm KiwiSaver contributions have ceased. If they continue, follow up with your employer or IRD directly.

“Consider the long-term retirement impact before opting out — employer contributions are a significant benefit that stops the moment you exit.” — MoneyHub NZ (New Zealand finance guide)

Related reading: ANZ Savings Interest Rates – Current Rates and Bonus Conditions · ANZ NZ Term Deposit Rates for Seniors – Current Rates and Comparisons

New employees considering the KiwiSaver opt-out form should note the upcoming KiwiSaver contribution minimum increase affecting pay from April 2026.

Frequently asked questions

For new employees weighing the decision, the calculation is straightforward: keep contributing and the employer match stacks up in your favour the longer you stay. Opt out only when the short-term cash flow genuinely matters more than the retirement savings building in the background.