I worked at Tower and when I got sick I tried to apply for Income Protection which was granted when I started, with excluisons covered at that time.. when it came for me lodging my application it was declined due to exclusions not being covered! to cut a long story short they suck!

Sorry to hear about Jasons situation. This could have been avoided by having Income Protection cover in place and then he wouldn't be in this situation.

So the madness of the crowd encourages people to make decisions about 30-45 years away based on the difficulties one person this week. How sad.

Whilst I think this is unfortunate I think many New Zealander's are missing the point of what KiwiSaver is about. It is a long term savings plan designed for retirement. The savings are purposefully difficult to access and if this is not what someone wants to do, simply don't join. The Government incentives are fantastic, as are the employer contributions. I sincerely hope more education about this scheme is provided to New Zealanders who "just don't get it".

Here's a thought Jason, book a one-way ticket to Sydney and tell them you are leaving N.Z. permanently!!!!!!!!!!!

Actually Andy, it was National who changed the rules there. Not that I'm a fan of Labour - I don't like either of them. Yet another reason not to trust KiwiSaver.

One of the reasons I have chosen to opt out for now, I don't like access of my savings to be at the discretion of a stranger. I sincerely hope Jason is successful and that his case may set a positive precedent for the future.

I feel for Mr Napier, my husband has contribute $4K into KiwiSaver, and we were and still are going through finacial hardship, and we proved it to the people running KiwiSaver and we were still declined. We still continue to struggle and my Husband is now a student and we arent getting much in for a family of four and yet we at times even struggle to put food on the table. I think Kiwisaver is a joke and to much power is given to governement/organisations running this over your own money, we will no longer be part of anything scheme like this again. I believe in the principal of this for your retirement but if you prove hardship or anything else, you should be allowed those funds (your own money). Just my opinion.

Thats ridiculous it took him three times to try get his OWN money out, when clearly he is sick. Thats why i opted out of Kiwi Saver. Id rather be in control of my own money then have twats like this controling it.

This is why myself and many of my friends and family have not joined kiwisaver but are saving on our own terms! The main reason is TRUST. We have no trust in the system and Jasons current situation is proven evidence to me that the system cannot be trusted. That money is Jason's money, he worked for it! The goverment and suppliers of kiwisaver plans cannot be trusted. All they want is invest that money to satify their own corporate greed! Al the best Jason I hope it works out for you.