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In New Zealand, employers provide employee benefits through a combination of superannuation schemes and KiwiSaver. They typically adopt HR approaches that fall into three groups:

1. KiwiSaver compliance only (reactive)
2. KiwiSaver (proactive)
3. KiwiSaver and superannuation (optional)

Most employers fall into the first group and employee benefits do not form part of the HR strategy.  KiwiSaver is seen in the same light as other taxes and levies.  KiwiSaver and wider employee benefits are not perceived as being able to create a HR advantage.

Many employers however, see a benefit in facilitating an employee to save for their retirement.  They therefore encourage employees to save by raising the awareness of KiwiSaver, and in some cases making available a supplementary superannuation scheme.  For these employers, the tax imposed on employer contributions to KiwiSaver from 1 April 2012, gives them greater scope to help their employees meet their financial needs and to differentiate themselves.  This can be at no additional cost to the employer.  

From 1 April 2012, it makes sense for KiwiSaver to become the base of an overall “Simple Super” strategy.  The basic Simple Super strategy for an employer is:

1. Decide on the overall subsidy level they are willing to pay.  Most will adopt 2%, (increasing to 3% from 1 April 2013) to reflect KiwiSaver.  Some will set a higher rate (e.g. 4%, 5% or 10%).  The message is: 
   
   You pay X%, I pay Y% (less tax). Note: X can equal Y.
    
2. Subject to the KiwiSaver Act requirements, let employees choose whether the savings go to a superannuation scheme or to KiwiSaver. This does not change the cost to the employer or the tax treatment. Both are fully taxed the same under the ESCT rules. The message is:
   
   Your choice, super or KiwiSaver or split.
    
3. Let employees transfer $1,043 from their superannuation scheme to KiwiSaver each year and pick up the maximum government $521 MTC payment.

Given a choice, most employees will direct their savings to super and then transfer the $1,043 to KiwiSaver. This maximises their savings and maximises their flexibility. It also helps the employer and the employee prepare for events like early retirement.

The cash flows explained in a diagram

To implement Simple Super, SuperLife offers the optimal solution. It is flexible and low cost, and is provided by a specialist superannuation and KiwiSaver provider.

Example - Simple Super

For an employee on $50,000 a year and assuming a 3% contribution (3% x $50000 = $1500), the position is:

Both options give the same total savings of $3,258. Under KiwiSaver, it is all in KiwiSaver and subject to the KiwiSaver Act, locked up to age 65. Whereas under the simple super option, $1,694 is not locked up and is ultimately available to facilitate early retirement and other HR requirements.