In this episode of Money Made Simple, Liv and Jennie unpack a stubborn and confronting reality: the retirement savings gap between men and women. While the gender pay gap has narrowed in recent years, the KiwiSaver gender gap remains - and in some age groups, it’s even widening.

With International Women’s Day in mind, this episode dives into the data behind the gap, why it exists, and what it means for women’s financial security in retirement. Most importantly, Jennie and Liv share practical, realistic steps women (and their allies!) can take to help close it.

This episode covers:

• The latest Retirement Commission data showing a 25% average KiwiSaver gap between men and women
• How the gap widens with age - reaching up to 36–37% for those nearing retirement
• Why compounding makes early balance differences much bigger over time
• The key drivers of the gap: lower lifetime earnings, time out of the workforce, and system design
• How caregiving, part-time work, and parental leave affect long-term retirement savings
• What lower balances mean in later life - including higher reliance on NZ Super and greater risk of financial insecurity
• Policy changes that help, including KiwiSaver contributions during paid parental leave
• Practical actions: checking your fund type and fees, increasing contributions early, negotiating pay, and reviewing your KiwiSaver after major life events
• Why shared financial planning with partners can help reduce long-term inequality

Jennie and Liv explain in plain English why this gap isn’t a personal failing - it’s the result of income inequality, caregiving patterns, and structural settings that compound over time. But small, consistent steps can make a meaningful difference.

If, after listening to this episode, you decide to review your KiwiSaver settings, consider seeking personalised financial advice to make sure any decisions are right for your individual situation and goals. And if you’re navigating a separation or relationship change, you may want to seek independent legal advice about how KiwiSaver is treated as relationship property.

This episode is a timely reminder that equity matters in money as much as it does in opportunity, and that understanding your KiwiSaver today could shape your financial freedom tomorrow. 

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Disclaimer: This podcast contains personal opinions and is intended to provide educational information only. It doesn't relate to your particular financial situation or goals and is not financial advice or recommendations. Simplicity New Zealand Limited is the issuer of the Simplicity KiwiSaver scheme and investment funds. For product disclosure statements please visit Simplicity's website simplicity. kiwi.