FAQ | Fisher Funds

What will happen if the FMA does not approve the transfer?

If the FMA does not approve the transfer, the Fisher Funds KiwiSaver Scheme will still exist and continue to operate in the same way it does today. You will continue to be a member of the Fisher Funds KiwiSaver Scheme on the existing terms and conditions.

Should I move over to Fisher Funds KiwiSaver Plan before the transfer is initiated?

You can choose to transfer to the Fisher Funds KiwiSaver Plan before 24 September 2026, but we recommend you wait until the migration, so that your historical records from your current Fisher Funds KiwiSaver Scheme will be available to view in your online account.

Will there be any costs for me in transferring?

There will be no costs for you in transferring to the Fisher Funds KiwiSaver Plan. There are no transfer fees paid by individual members, and Fisher Funds will cover any costs related to transferring underlying investments when your balance transfers to the Fisher Funds KiwiSaver Plan.

Will my tax rate change?

The transfer will not cause your tax rate to change. Both the Fisher Funds KiwiSaver Scheme and the Fisher Funds KiwiSaver Plan are portfolio investment entities (PIEs) and under either KiwiSaver scheme, the amount of investment income tax paid on your behalf will be based on your prescribed investor rate (PIR). Your PIR is 10.5%, 17.5% or 28% depending on your taxable income and income from any PIE in either of the previous two tax years. The PIR you have given to the Fisher Funds KiwiSaver Scheme will be transferred to the Fisher Funds KiwiSaver Plan.

Will I have to pay any tax when my KiwiSaver account is transferred to the Fisher Funds KiwiSaver Plan?

The transfer will be a taxable event, so any tax payable (or refundable) from the period 1 April 2026 to the date of transfer will be deducted from (or added to in the case of a refund) your transfer amount. Don’t worry, you’re just paying the tax now instead of paying it all at the end of the tax year.

How will contributions be paid to the Fisher Funds KiwiSaver Plan after the transfer?

We will get in touch with you when the transfer to the Fisher Funds KiwiSaver Plan has been completed with more details. But here is the general overview:

Contributions from salary or wages

If you are employed, then your own and your employer's contributions will continue in the same way, and at the same rates. They will be automatically redirected by Inland Revenue to the Fisher Funds KiwiSaver Plan, as will all future government contributions for your account.

Direct debits, automatic or recurring payments

If you are contributing to the Fisher Funds KiwiSaver Scheme by direct debit, automatic or recurring payment, you don't need to do anything as it will be transferred to your new Fisher Funds KiwiSaver Plan account. You can cancel or change your Direct Debit Authority at any time.

If you do not wish to have your Direct Debit Authority transferred, you should advise Fisher Funds by emailing enquiries@fisherfunds.co.nz.

Direct payments via internet banking

If you are contributing to the Fisher Funds KiwiSaver Scheme by making one-off or ad-hoc payments, such as by internet banking, then you will need to redirect those payments to the Fisher Funds KiwiSaver Plan trust account when the transfer completes. Delete the old payee details and create a new direct payment by searching ‘Fisher Funds KiwiSaver Plan’ as the payee. Don’t worry, we will advise you closer to the time so your contributions can continue seamlessly.

Contributions through Inland Revenue

If you are contributing to Fisher Funds KiwiSaver Scheme through Inland Revenue by internet banking, then you can continue making those contributions without any changes. After the transfer takes effect, the contributions will be automatically payable to the Fisher Funds KiwiSaver Plan.

General

If you have any questions about how contributions will be paid to the Fisher Funds KiwiSaver Plan, you can contact us by emailing enquiries@fisherfunds.co.nz or by calling 0508 347 437.

Any payments made to your Fisher Funds KiwiSaver Scheme account after the transfer has been completed will be manually credited to your Fisher Funds KiwiSaver Plan account (please allow for 5 working days for this to be completed).

Will the transfer affect any government contributions I may be entitled to for the year?

No, the transfer does not affect this. Any government contributions you are entitled to will be paid into your KiwiSaver account in the usual way.

I am on a savings suspension and not contributing to KiwiSaver, will this continue?

If you are on a savings suspension, this will continue until the date you have agreed with Inland Revenue.

The Supervisor is changing, how will this affect me?

The Supervisor of the Fisher Funds KiwiSaver Scheme is Trustees Executors Limited and the Supervisor of the Fisher Funds KiwiSaver Plan is the Public Trust. Even though the Supervisor responsible for your KiwiSaver scheme will change following the transfer, the role and responsibilities of the Supervisor will remain the same. The Supervisor is responsible for overseeing how we manage your KiwiSaver account and the new Supervisor will continue to do this in materially the same way as the old Supervisor.

How can I be sure that Fisher Funds is looking after my best interests?

We take our role of safeguarding your rights and protecting the interests of all members of the Fisher Funds KiwiSaver Scheme very seriously. We have obtained legal advice regarding the transfer proposal and we are satisfied that:

the terms and conditions of the Fisher Funds KiwiSaver Plan are no less favourable than those of the Fisher Funds KiwiSaver Scheme; and
the proposed changes will operate in the collective best interests of the members of the Fisher Funds KiwiSaver Scheme.

We are under a legal obligation to act always in your best interests. Additionally, both the Supervisor of the Fisher Funds KiwiSaver Scheme (Trustee Executors Limited) and the Supervisor of the Fisher Funds KiwiSaver Plan (Public Trust) will oversee the transfer to ensure that your best interests are protected.

Will my contribution rates be affected?

The contribution rate that you have selected for your KiwiSaver will remain the same on transfer, as will your employer contributions and any other contributions you have elected to make. Contribution rate options are set through legislation and a change in your KiwiSaver will not change these.

Will my benefit entitlements be affected?

The scenarios in which you are eligible to withdraw your benefit entitlements are also set through legislation, and the change in your KiwiSaver scheme will not affect your eligibility to withdraw.

How will transferred amounts and future contributions be invested?

As described in the Lets Compare section, your investments will be managed by the same team at Fisher Funds that manages your investments under the Fisher Funds KiwiSaver Scheme. While some of the fund names are different, the strategic asset allocation of equivalent funds in the Fisher Funds KiwiSaver Plan is the same as, or very similar to, the funds in the Fisher Funds KiwiSaver Scheme. Your transferred amount will be invested in the equivalent funds, in the same proportions, as you had invested immediately prior to transfer.

Following the transfer, your future contributions, your employer contributions and any government contributions will be invested using the same investment mix.

Can I change my investment strategy?

Up until 24 September 2026, you can opt out of GlidePath and choose your own investment strategy by logging in to Fisher Funds Online or via the Fisher Funds Mobile App.

During the transfer period, 24 September - 5 October, any requests or instructions to change your investment mix will be processed on your Fisher Funds KiwiSaver Plan account on 6 October 2026.

Following the completion of the transfer after 6 October 2026, you may alter your Fisher Funds KiwiSaver Plan investment mix at any time by logging in to Fisher Funds Online or via the Fisher Funds Mobile App.

How will the returns on my investments be determined?

The Fisher Funds KiwiSaver Plan uses the same method of valuing your savings as the Fisher Funds KiwiSaver Scheme, at the same regularity.

Does Fisher Funds KiwiSaver Plan offer Glidepath?

Yes it does. The Fisher Funds KiwiSaver Plan Glidepath feature works in much the same way as the Fisher Funds KiwiSaver Scheme Glidepath, automatically decreasing your exposure to growth assets each year as you get older. Details of the Fisher Funds KiwiSaver Plan Glidepath feature, including the fees, can be found in the Lets Compare section.

Can I withdraw between now and the transfer?

If you are eligible to make a withdrawal, you can withdraw some or all of your entitlement (depending on your eligibility) by instructing us prior to 24 September 2026. That withdrawal will be shown as being debited from your Fisher Funds KiwiSaver Scheme account.

If you instruct us to make a withdrawal from your account between 24 September - 5 October 2026, your instructions will be processed on 6 October 2026:

Regular retirement withdrawals scheduled during the transfer period will be paid early in the week prior to the transfer.
All other withdrawal instructions (i.e., withdrawal on reaching the age of 65, purchase of a first home, significant financial hardship, serious illness, life-shortening congenital condition, moving overseas, or death) will be processed on 6 October 2026.
Note that first home purchase withdrawals will not be possible in the period 24 September - 5 October 2026. If you are considering a first home withdrawal to settle a home, please contact us as soon as possible on 0508 347 437 so we can manage this process for you.

Can I choose to transfer to another KiwiSaver provider during this transfer notice period?

Yes. As always, the choice to change KiwiSaver provider is yours.

You can find and compare all available KiwiSaver schemes on the Government's Sorted website at sorted.org.nz.

Can I still see my KiwiSaver balance in the Fisher Funds app or online portal?

Yes, you can still see the balance. There will be a small blackout period between 3 - 5 October 2026 when your account will be transferred over to the Fisher Funds KiwiSaver Plan.

What transactions will be affected during the funds transfer period?

If approved by the FMA, the funds transfer period will be between 24 September - 5 October 2026. During this period, we will be managing client requests and instructions to minimise impact and ensure a smooth transfer of your KiwiSaver account. If approved, the proposed changes will be actioned during 24 September – 5 October 2026. Your new Fisher Funds KiwiSaver Plan account will be operational on 6 October.

Up until 24 September, all requests and instructions received will be processed on your Fisher Funds KiwiSaver Scheme account.

Between 24 September - 5 October 2026, requests and instructions we receive will be processed on your Fisher Funds KiwiSaver Plan account on 6 October.

Regular retirement withdrawals scheduled during the transfer period will be paid in the week prior to the transfer.
Regular contributions to your Fisher Funds KiwiSaver Scheme account will continue as normal and then be automatically transferred to your Fisher Funds KiwiSaver Plan account after the transfer period.
Note that first home purchase withdrawals will not be possible in the period 24 September - 5 October. If you are considering a first home withdrawal to settle a home, please contact us as soon as possible on 0508 347 437 so we can manage this process for you.

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