In the last year almost 16,000 people took money out of their Kiwisavers to help cope with tough times - but economists are predicting that to rise as the recession hits.
People can get their money out of KiwiSaver for a number of hardship reasons, including not being able to pay a mortgage, being unable to cover minimum living expenses, or needing to pay medical costs.
Kiwisaver provider Simplicity managing director Sam Stubbs spoke to Māni Dunlop.
