What would happen if people could choose automatically increasing KiwiSaver contributions?

Abstract

In this paper, we study a scheme that would make increasing KiwiSaver contributions easier. This scheme would give people the option to automatically increase their contributions each year until a maximum contribution rate is reached. We study the effect of offering this scheme with a survey experiment in which respondents are asked to fill in KiwiSaver deduction forms with and without the possibility of joining the scheme. We find that 29% of respondents would choose to join the scheme if offered. Offering the scheme has no detectable impact on current contribution rates and can substantially increase future contribution rates.