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kiwi83(Newbie)Newbie
9 Jan 2026

Hi there,


I am a NZ citizen that has an open Kiwisaver in NZ but also have been working in Australia for the last decade and have accumulated Australian Super.


I will soon be leaving Australia permanently and moving to the US so will not be returning to NZ in the foreseeable future.


I would like to withdraw or transfer my Super and ideally combine it with either my existing Kiwisaver or my US retirement savings (once I move and create one) but in my research it looks like I am not eligible to do anything but leave it in Australia which then opens up additional accounting and tax obligations in the US.


  • DASP - ineligible due to NZ citizenship (https://www.ato.gov.au/individuals-and-families/super-for-individuals-and-families/super/temporary-residents-and-superannuation/departing-australia-superannuation-payment-dasp#EligibilityforDASP)
  • Trans-tasman portability - ineligible due to not moving to NZ (https://www.ato.gov.au/individuals-and-families/super-for-individuals-and-families/super/foreign-super-funds/trans-tasman-retirement-savings-transfers#ato-TransferstoNewZealand)

Am I correct in that there is nothing I can do but leave the super balance in Australia? I'm hoping I've missed something or interpreted the information incorrectly but it seems like my scenario has fallen through the cracks of the available options.

226 views
1 replies
226 views
1 replies

All replies

JayATO(Community Support)Community Support
11 Jan 2026

Hi @kiwi83,


You're correct in your understanding.


As a New Zealand citizen who's leaving Australia permanently to move to the United States, you won't be eligible for a departing Australia superannuation payment (DASP) and you can't use the trans-Tasman portability scheme as you're not moving to New Zealand. This means you'll need to leave your super in Australia.


Your Australian super will remain subject to the same rules that apply to Australian citizens and permanent residents. You can't access it until you reach your preservation age and retire or satisfy another condition of release under Australian super law. The fact that you hold New Zealand citizenship rather than a temporary visa means you're treated the same as an Australian citizen for super access purposes.


While your super must stay in Australia, you can take steps to simplify your situation. Check your super regularly and consider combining any multiple accounts you have into one fund to avoid paying multiple sets of fees and charges. Contact your super fund to confirm it won't be transferred to us as unclaimed super if the balance is small.


For specific guidance on how this affects your US tax obligations and personal circumstances, you may want to reach out to a registered tax professional who understands both Australian super rules and US tax law.

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