Frequently Asked Questions

You may be able to make a withdrawal of some or all of your KiwiSaver funds if the Supervisor determines that you are suffering from a Serious Illness as defined in the KiwiSaver Act 2006.  

Serious Illness, as defined by the KiwiSaver Act 2006 and the Workplace Savings Guidelines, means an injury, illness, or disability that: 

• Results in you being totally and permanently unable to engage in work for which you are suited by reason of experience, education, or training (or a combination of these things); or 

• Poses a serious and imminent risk of death (within the next 12 months). 

We strongly encourage you to call us on 0800 855 322 to discuss your situation, or if you have a specific query related to a condition that does not clearly meet the criteria. This may assist you in further understanding the guidelines and the application process. In addition, the Workplace Savings Guidelines provide a good overview of the process, all Supervisors are required to refer to this when completing their assessment of such withdrawal. 

As outlined above, the criteria for withdrawal on the grounds of Serious Illness are explicit and high. If you do not clearly meet the above criteria, you are unlikely to qualify for a Serious Illness withdrawal and may wish to consider applying for a withdrawal on the grounds of Significant Financial Hardship instead. More information around Significant Financial Hardship withdrawal can be found here.

What do you need to do? 

1. Complete the latest application form in full. You can download a Serious Illness Withdrawal application from our website. 

1. Have your Medical Practitioner fill in the Declaration of Serious Illness, please make sure they include a detailed diagnosis as per the Workplace Savings Guidelines. 

1. Please request the medical practitioner to provide a detailed medical certificate in line with the criteria outlined above. This can further support your claim. Please note the Supervisor may still require further medical information as per the criteria set by the Guidelines. 

1. Take your application form to an authorised person under the Oaths and Declarations Act 1957 i.e. J.P, Notary of Court, solicitor etc. You will need to complete the Statutory Declaration in front of them and they will witness your signature. They will also be able to certify your photo ID. 

1. Enclose certified copy of your valid photo ID e.g. NZ Passport or NZ driver licence. 

1. Enclose recent copy of your proof of address e.g. bank statement, utility bill or letter from NZ Government agency. 

1. Provide recent proof of bank account showing your full legal name and account number e.g. bank statement. 

How much can I withdraw? 

You may be able to withdraw part of or all of your KiwiSaver, if the Supervisor determines that you are suffering from a serious illness, in accordance with the legislation and the guidelines.  

Where do I send my application to? 

Email: please scan your completed application form and all supporting documents to: info@generatekiwisaver.co.nz or 

Post: please post your completed application form and all supporting documents to: Generate KiwiSaver Scheme, PO Box 91609, Victoria Street West, Auckland 1142 

What happens once we receive your application?  

1. We check your application and supporting evidence (refer to the checklist on page 1 of the form)– we will contact to let you know if any further information is required for the Supervisor’s assessment.   

1. If sufficient information is provided, we will send your application (form and supporting documents) to the Supervisor.    

1. The Supervisor then makes the final decision. 
   (Please note: the Supervisor may request further information prior to that if necessary and in accordance with the KiwiSaver Act 2006).  

1. Once their decision has been made, we advise you of the outcome either by email, or letter.  

1. If your application is approved by the Supervisor, the payment is made to the personal bank account in your name.    

How long will my application process take?  

If you provide all the necessary information, we should be able to send your application to the Supervisor for their assessment and give you an outcome in approx. 15 business days. Please note, if the Supervisor requires additional information at any stage of your application, this may cause delays in the processing of your application.  

We encourage you to please contact us so we can assist you through the application process.