• If you're currently employed, talk to your boss — you could have signed on to KiwiSaver without even realising it.
• If you're freelancing, contracting or self-employed, you might have to set it up yourself.
• Check My KiwiSaver to find your provider if you don't know who they are.

• Your provider will send out KiwiSaver statements — make sure to take an interest in these reports.
• Check for the following; your balance (overall savings), any difference (the change between opening and closing balance for the year) and withdrawals you've made.
• Note what gets taken up in tax and fees (yep, your provider takes a slice out of your KiwiSaver interest!)

Tip 5: Only withdraw if you can meet the following…

• Severe illness (you or a dependant family member).
• Declaring bankruptcy.
• Needing a suspension due to financial hardship.
• Looking to buy a home.
• Retiring.

• First home buyers can get between $5-10,000 through the First Home Grant, depending on whether they're buying an existing home or planning a build.
• You can also get $1,000 a year in subsidies from when you first open KiwiSaver.
• Don't rely on any scheme, though. There are caps on income, house price, existing debt and other factors that could count you out of the running.
• But that doesn't mean you can't take a sneak peek to see if you can't get some free money. So check your eligibility first.
• If you can, factor it into your budget. If not, you've still got a KiwiSaver that's building up interest.