We’ve introduced several updates to KiwiSaver details in enableHR and Employee Self Service (eSS) to align with new requirements in New Zealand. This article outlines what’s changed and how it impacts you.
New Default Employee & Employer Contribution Rate (3.5%), Temporary Rate Reduction
- 3.5% is now available as an employee & employer contribution option.
- 3.5% is the new default when:
- Creating a new KiwiSaver record
- Setting status to Active
- Temporary Rate Reduction is now available as a new status when adding or updating KiwiSaver details
- 3% is available for an employee to select as a reduced employee contribution when they select this status
- Employee also need to submit a new field Rate reduction end date when they select Temporary rate reduction
- Employees need to select the duration to which their temporary rate reduction will be valid for and this should be between 3 months and 12 months (inclusive)
- Employees can reset and the rate reduction end date multiple times
- Once the rate reduction end date is passed then the Employee Contribution will reset to 3.5% by default.
Important:
- If Active status is selected, the minimum contribution rate is now 3.5%.
- Selecting a lower rate (e.g. 3%) will trigger an error.
Error message:
Minimum Employee Contribution % should be 3.5. Change status to Temporary Rate Reduction to select a lower value.
- If Temporary Rate Reduction status is selected, the minimum contribution rate is now 3%.
- Selecting a higher rate will trigger an error.
Error message:
Minimum Employee Contribution % should be 3. Change status to Active to select higher value.
Updated ESCT (Employer Contribution Tax) Thresholds
The ESCT thresholds have been updated as follows:
| ESCT Rate | Income Range |
|---|---|
| 10.5% | $0 – $18,720 |
| 17.5% | $18,721 – $64,200 |
| 30% | $64,201 – $93,720 |
| 33% | $93,721 – $216,000 |
| 39% | $216,001+ |
These thresholds are automatically applied when adding or updating KiwiSaver details.
API & Payroll Integration Updates
API Enhancements
- The system now:
- Accepts 3.5% contribution values without errors
Validation Rules
- If status = Active and contribution < 3.5%:
- The API will return an error:
Minimum Employee Contribution % should be 3.5. Change status to Temporary Rate Reduction to select a lower value
- The API will return an error:
Retrieval
- When retrieving KiwiSaver data via API:
- Contribution %
iPayroll Sync
All updates are fully supported by iPayroll:
- Records with 3.5% contribution sync successfully