How do Simplicity and Asb compare on fees?

Simplicity's funds carry an average annual fee of 0.25% compared with 0.58% at Asb. Illustrative — sub-1-percentage-point fee gaps compound over multi-decade horizons. Compare net-fee return as well as fee level — see the side-by-side data above.

What are the 5-year returns for Simplicity vs Asb?

Based on 5-year average annualised returns from FMA Disclose data, Simplicity shows 4.05% across its KiwiSaver scheme fund range, and Asb shows 3.56%. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future returns and returns can be negative in any given year.

Can I switch from Simplicity to Asb?

Yes. Switching KiwiSaver providers is free, requires no permission from your current provider, and typically takes 10–15 business days. You apply with your chosen new provider — they handle the transfer with your old provider directly. There are no exit fees or tax penalties. See our switching guide for the step-by-step process.

Which provider has more fund options — Simplicity or Asb?

Simplicity offers 6 KiwiSaver scheme funds, while Asb offers 6. A larger fund range gives more granular control over your asset allocation; a smaller range typically reflects a focused index- or default-fund philosophy.

How is this data sourced?

All figures are extracted from the FMA Disclose register and provider PDS / Quarterly Fund Update documents. Returns are 5-year annualised averages where available. AUM and member counts are sourced from the most recent provider disclosures. Data is refreshed quarterly. See methodology below.

Simplicity vs Asb

Side-by-side KiwiSaver data — fees, 5-year returns, fund options, members, AUM. Sourced from FMA Disclose and provider PDS.

Last updated: 2026-05-09

General Information Only: This page provides factual data for comparison purposes and does not constitute financial advice. Individual circumstances vary.Read our disclosure

Why Simplicity and Asb differ

The most material structural difference between ASB and Simplicity is fees. Simplicity charges a flat 0.25% across all six of its funds, giving an average fee of 0.25%. ASB's average fee across its six funds sits at 0.575% — more than double — ranging from 0.35% on its NZ Cash Fund to 0.70% on its Growth Fund. For people contributing to KiwiSaver over long time horizons, this gap compounds meaningfully.

On a five-year average return basis, Simplicity edges ahead at 4.05% versus ASB's 3.56%, though that spread should be interpreted carefully: Simplicity's snapshot does not include a five-year return figure for its Defensive Fund, so the average is calculated across a partial fund set. ASB's Growth Fund posts the highest single-fund return in this comparison at 7.50% over five years; Simplicity's equivalent growth-oriented return data is not visible in the available snapshot.

Metric	Simplicity	Asb	Difference
Average 5Y Return	4.05%	3.56%	0.49% diff
Average Fees	0.25%	0.58%	0.33% diff
Number of Funds	6	6	0 diff
Total Members	148,826	520,526	—
Total AUM	$6059M	$20283M	—

Simplicity vs Asb

Why Simplicity and Asb differ

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Simplicity

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Simplicity Top Fund

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Switching from Simplicity to Asb (or back)

Frequently asked questions

How do Simplicity and Asb compare on fees?

What are the 5-year returns for Simplicity vs Asb?

Can I switch from Simplicity to Asb?

Which provider has more fund options — Simplicity or Asb?

How is this data sourced?

Methodology and data sources

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