---
title: Setting Up KiwiSaver or Complying Fund Contributions
description: Superannuation scheme contributions are managed through payroll. This article shows how to set up KiwiSaver and/or complying fund contributions.
---
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3. [KiwiSaver](https://help.thankyoupayroll.co.nz/en/employee-settings?hsLang=en#kiwisaver)
# Setting Up KiwiSaver or Complying Fund Contributions
## KiwiSaver contributions are managed through IRD. This article shows how to set up KiwiSaver (KS) and/or Super Complying Fund (CF) contributions in an Employee Profile.
*Updated: July 2026*
Enrolling new eligible employees in KiwiSaver is part of your responsibility as an employer. Click the links below for how to set this up for your new employee
- [KiwiSaver Basics](https://help.thankyoupayroll.co.nz/en/kiwisaver-complying-fund-setup-0-0#KiwiSaverBasics)
- [Complying Fund Basics](https://help.thankyoupayroll.co.nz/en/kiwisaver-complying-fund-setup-0-0#SuperBasics)
- [Adding KiwiSaver for a new Employee](https://help.thankyoupayroll.co.nz/en/kiwisaver-complying-fund-setup-0-0#Adding-KiwiSaver-for-a-new-employee)
- [Opting out of KiwiSaver](https://help.thankyoupayroll.co.nz/en/kiwisaver-complying-fund-setup-0-0#Opting-out-of-KiwiSaver)
- [Employees not eligible for KiwiSaver](https://help.thankyoupayroll.co.nz/en/kiwisaver-complying-fund-setup-0-0#Employee-Not-Eligible)
- [Temporary Rate Reductions](https://help.thankyoupayroll.co.nz/en/kiwisaver-complying-fund-setup-0-0#Temporary-rate-reduction)
- [Savings Suspensions](https://help.thankyoupayroll.co.nz/en/kiwisaver-complying-fund-setup-0-0#Savings-Suspension)
- [Total Remuneration contracts](https://help.thankyoupayroll.co.nz/en/kiwisaver-complying-fund-setup-0-0#Total-Rem-Contracts)
- [Complying Funds and KiwiSaver](https://help.thankyoupayroll.co.nz/en/kiwisaver-complying-fund-setup-0-0#ComplyingFund-andKS)
- [Further Resources and Links](https://help.thankyoupayroll.co.nz/en/kiwisaver-complying-fund-setup-0-0#Super_Resources)
---
### KiwiSaver Basics
- [Employer contributions are only compulsory for contributing employees aged 16-65](https://help.thankyoupayroll.co.nz/en/ksee-kiwisaver-setup-under-18-or-over-65?hsLang=en).
- Use the [KS2 form](https://www.ird.govt.nz/-/media/project/ir/home/documents/forms-and-guides/ir1---ir99/ks2/ks2.pdf?modified=20260129194735)for the employee's contribution rate
- Minimum employer contribution rate is 3.5% of the employee's gross taxable pay.
- [ESCT rate](https://help.thankyoupayroll.co.nz/en/esct-basics?hsLang=en) is based on the employee's TOTAL projected annual income from all sources.
- Employees aged 16 & 17 are not automatically enrolled by an employer and need to enroll with a Kiwisaver provider directly before contributions can be made.
---
### Super Complying Fund Basics
| .png?width=52&height=52&name=Info%20-%20Blue%20Block%20(1).png) | **Only complete this section if the employee is contributing to a complying fund which is NOT a KiwiSaver fund.** |
| --- | --- |
\*An employee can have both KiwiSaver and a Complying fund.
- ESCT is payable on employer contributions made on top of the employee's base income.
- [ESCT rate](https://help.thankyoupayroll.co.nz/en/esct-basics?hsLang=en) is based on the employee's TOTAL projected annual income from all sources.
- If your employee belongs to both a Complying Fund and a KiwiSaver scheme, contributions can be made to both schemes but:
- The first 3.5% of the **employee contribution** must go to KiwiSaver. They can request that an additional percentage go to their Complying Fund. e.g. total employee contribution is 5%. 3.5% goes to their KS and 1.5% goes to their CF
- Employer contributions can be split between KiwiSaver and Complying fund as long as the combined rate is equal to or greater than 3.5% e.g. 2% KS and 1.5% Complying Fund.
- The information of the scheme provider name, bank account details and the employee reference number information are required so the provider can allocate the contributions correctly.
- These contributions form part of the 'You deposit' amount and are managed and filed by Thankyou Payroll.
---
### Adding KiwiSaver for a New Employee in Their Profile
KiwiSaver is mandatory for all employees unless they have 'Opted Out'. See the next section for the rules for Opting Out .
When you open the 'KiwiSaver & Other Superannuation' tab for a new employee, you will see the default KiwiSaver settings ready to go.
In KiwiSaver Options: Should any of these 3 apply please make the selection here.
You must save this page when you're done to apply changes to future pays for this employee.
### Employee has Opted Out
Employees who have never been in KiwiSaver can 'opt out' between week 2 and up to the 8th week of starting new employment.
They can:
1\) Complete a KS10 and give it to you
2/ Complete a KS10 and submit to IRD or
3/ Make an Opt out request online in their MyIR
Link to [KS10](https://www.ird.govt.nz/-/media/project/ir/home/documents/forms-and-guides/ir1---ir99/ks10/ks10-2020.pdf)form
Opting out after the 8th week requires IRD approval.
### Employees Not Eligible for Kiwisaver
There are several reasons that an employee may not need to contribute to KiwiSaver
\- An employee is NOT ENROLLED in KiwiSaver and is under 18, or over 65,
\- The employee is not a New Zealand resident
\- The employee is on a temporary work visa
Follow the steps below to set up employees that fit these criteria.
### Temporary Rate Reduction
An employee can request a 'Temporary Rate Reduction' by submitting a KS2 to the IRD (or in 'MyIR'). If approved, the employer and Thankyou Payroll receive a notification. Thankyou Payroll will automatically update your employee's KiwiSaver contribution rate, reducing it to 3%. Employers can match this rate and need to load this manually.
[KS2 Link](https://www.ird.govt.nz/-/media/project/ir/home/documents/forms-and-guides/ir1---ir99/ks2/ks2.pdf?modified=20260129194735)
If we are not notified the rate reduction can be set manually using the steps below. At the end of the reduction period, rates will return to their former saved setting.
### Applying a Savings Suspension
Employees can apply to pause their KiwiSaver Contributions by sending a KS6 form to IRD.
If this request is approved employers must apply the suspension to the employee contributions but can choose to continue employer contributions.
Link to [KS6](https://www.superlife.co.nz/files/Forms/KiwiSaver%20savings%20suspension%20KS6.pdf).
### Total Remuneration Contracts - ESCT Options
ESCT is a tax on the employer contribution to KiwiSaver/Complying Funds.
Sometimes employment contracts are written to require that Employer Contributions are calculated as part of salary or wages, instead of an additional percentage of gross. This is sometimes called 'Total Remuneration'.
If this is the case a simple flag in the ESCT section updates the way this calculation is made.
Employers and employees must agree to this remuneration method in writing.
### Complying Fund and/or KiwiSaver
Employees can belong to KiwiSaver and/or a Super Complying Fund.
Super Complying Funds are **NOT** KiwiSaver.
Employer Contributions may be split between KiwiSaver and a Complying Fund as long as the combined contribution value is at least 3.5%. If your contributions to the Complying Fund are less than 3.5% the balance must go to a KiwiSaver Scheme for the employee. Additional contributions can be made if the employee chooses.
Remember if the employee is in both KiwiSaver and a Complying fund the first 3.5% of their contributions must go to their KiwiSaver Fund.
### Further Resources and Links
- [KiwiSaver information from Inland Revenue](https://www.ird.govt.nz/kiwisaver)
- [Inland Revenue information on Employer Contributions to KiwiSaver and Complying Funds](https://www.ird.govt.nz/kiwisaver/kiwisaver-employers/contributions-and-deductions/employer-contributions-to-kiwisaver-and-complying-funds)
- [Inland Revenue Employer KiwiSaver Guide - KS4](https://www.ird.govt.nz/kiwisaver/kiwisaver-employers)
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