Turning 65 is an important season in your life. It’s a time to reflect, plan, and steward what God has entrusted to you. For members of Christian KiwiSaver Scheme, it’s also when your KiwiSaver savings become fully accessible, offering new opportunities to use your resources with wisdom and faith.

You can continue investing, set up regular or occasional withdrawals, or access your funds in full.
Each choice can support a life of purpose, generosity, and ongoing financial wellbeing.

1. Keep your account open and stay invested

Reaching 65 doesn’t mean you need to close your KiwiSaver account. Many of our members choose to stay invested, allowing their savings to continue working while remaining within a framework guided by Christian values.

By keeping your account open, your savings remain actively managed in line with our Ethical Investment Policy, helping you balance long-term goals with your current needs. You can:

• Contribute voluntarily (employer and government contributions end at 65).
• Withdraw funds whenever you need them.
• Keep your savings invested for as long as you wish.

This reflects continued stewardship – growing the resources you’ve been blessed with so they can support you, your family, and your community. As you plan for this next stage, it’s a good time to check which fund you’re currently invested in to make sure it still fits your needs and goals. You can explore our Funds here.

2. Set up regular withdrawals

If you’d like a steady cash flow from your savings, you can set up regular withdrawals from your KiwiSaver account.

This option allows you to receive fortnightly or monthly payments while the rest of your balance stays invested. It can supplement your NZ Superannuation and provide greater certainty in your budgeting.

Regular withdrawals can help you:

• Count on predictable money for everyday needs.
• Maintain your investment in a professionally managed fund.
• Exercise stewardship through intentional, disciplined planning.

You can adjust or stop your regular withdrawals at any time.

3. Make occasional lump-sum withdrawals

If flexibility is important, you can choose to make one-off withdrawals whenever you need funds.

This approach works well if you prefer to keep your balance invested but occasionally draw on your savings for larger costs such as home maintenance, travel, or helping family.

It offers the freedom to access what you need while continuing to invest in line with Christian principles. Many members view this as a practical way to meet needs today while remaining faithful to their long-term stewardship goals.

4. Withdraw of all your savings

You may also decide to withdraw your full balance once you turn 65.

Some members use this option to:

• Pay off debt like a remaining mortgage.
• Gift to family or contribute to causes that reflect their faith.
• Put it in the bank.

Before withdrawing everything, consider how long your savings will need to last and whether keeping part invested could provide greater flexibility. Once your account is closed, you’ll no longer be a KiwiSaver member, though you can rejoin later if you wish.

Turning 65 is an important milestone for many, as it signals a ‘second life’ they can start living and most people want to enjoy this for 20 or 30 or more years. Your time horizon for your Christian KiwiSaver Scheme could still be decades, and more if you plan to leave money to family.

When we stop working, keeping ahead of inflation becomes a challenge. We no longer have our wages to at least keep pace with inflation, so now we rely on the growth of our investments to help.

Depending on your fund, one goal is long-term growth that beats inflation. Holding all your money in a bank account may feel safe, but it likely won’t deliver the returns needed to sustain your lifestyle.

Working after 65

Many people continue working beyond 65, either part-time, full-time, or through community service.

If you’re still earning, you can:

• Keep contributing to your Christian KiwiSaver Scheme account voluntarily.
• Pause contributions while your balance continues to grow.
• Check whether your employer will continue to contribute (they’re not required to after 65).

If you receive NZ Superannuation, remember it’s taxable income, so ensure your tax code is correct.

Continuing to work can be both practical and purposeful – a chance to use your gifts and experience to serve others while maintaining flexibility in your financial planning.

Reviewing your retirement strategy

Turning 65 is also the right time to review your investment approach to ensure it aligns with your goals and values.

1. Review your fund choice

Your investment needs may evolve as life changes.

• The Income Fund is designed for those seeking fewer changes in value and greater capital preservation.
• The Balanced Fund offers a chance for higher returns but not as many ups and downs in value as the Growth Fund.
• The Growth Fund may suit members investing for the long term, wanting higher returns in exchange for a few more short-term ups and downs in investment value.

Each fund is managed to reflect Christian values – with care, integrity, and ethical stewardship.

2. Plan for longevity

Your retirement could span several decades. Review your withdrawal plan and spending patterns regularly so your savings continue to support your lifestyle.

Use our Retirement Calculator to explore how different choices may affect your future income.

3. Balance risk and return

While it’s natural to seek stability, keeping all your savings in low-risk investments can limit growth. Find a balance between the money you need today (and keep that where you can access it), and allowing your other money to grow for the future.

4. Seek guidance

If you would like to know more about our funds, our Member Services team can help you understand the options, allowing you to choose how they best fit with the broader financial journey through Anglican Financial Care.

Living your faith in retirement

Retirement is a continuation of stewardship; a season to use your time, energy, and resources for good. The savings you’ve built through Christian KiwiSaver Scheme can continue to serve you and others, guided by faith and purpose.

Whether you stay invested, set up withdrawals, or support others through generosity, each decision can reflect your gratitude and trust in God’s provision.

If you’re approaching 65 or already there, we’re here to help you understand the options available for values-aligned decisions. Explore our website or contact us for personalised support.

The New Zealand Anglican Church Pension Board trading as Anglican Financial Care is the manager and issuer of Christian KiwiSaver Scheme, The Retire Fund and The New Zealand Anglican Church Pension Fund. Product Disclosure Statements and Fund Updates are available here: https://angfincare.nz/news-and-knowhow/forms-and-documents/