Estimate how an agreed pay package splits between gross pay and the employer KiwiSaver contribution. Include accommodation and eligible pay-as-you-go holiday pay where they form part of the package. Figures are before tax and deductions.

a year

Gross pay before tax and deductions

$96,618.36

How it's calculated

The formula

An estimate only. Assumes 52 weeks a year. Employer KiwiSaver is before ESCT; take-home pay, PAYE and other deductions are not calculated.

Total package $100,000.00
Taxable salary $96,618.36
Employer KiwiSaver $3,381.64
Weekly gross $1,858.05
KiwiSaver each week $65.03

OutcomeEnter $100,000 as the salary in AgriSmart and add the 3.5% before-tax deduction. The employee is taxed on $96,618.36 and $3,381.64 goes to their KiwiSaver.

Rate offered $30.00 an hour
Taxable rate $28.99 an hour
Weekly gross at 40 hours $1,159.42
KiwiSaver each week $40.58
KiwiSaver over a year $2,110.14

OutcomeEnter $30.00 as the hourly rate and add the 3.5% deduction. Because it applies to every pay run, the amounts move with the hours worked, so a short week recalculates on its own.

Total package $85,000.00
Accommodation, $250 a week $13,000.00
Package excluding accommodation $72,000.00
Cash earnings before tax and deductions $69,565.22
Taxable salary $82,565.22
Employer KiwiSaver $2,434.78

OutcomeThe $85,000 splits three ways: $69,565.22 in cash, $13,000 in accommodation and $2,434.78 in KiwiSaver. Accommodation comes out before the KiwiSaver calculation, so the contribution is worked out on the cash portion only.

Total package $70,000.00
Taxable salary, $70,000.00 ÷ 1.035 $67,632.85
Base salary, $67,632.85 ÷ 1.08 $62,623.01
Holiday pay, 8% $5,009.84
Employer KiwiSaver $2,367.15

OutcomeThe $70,000 annualised package splits into $67,632.85 of taxable salary and $2,367.15 of employer KiwiSaver before ESCT. The 8% holiday pay sits inside the salary, so KiwiSaver is calculated on the full $67,632.85. Actual amounts over the nine-month contract depend on the period worked.

This only works where it has been agreed. Section 101B of the KiwiSaver Act 2006 allows the employer contribution to sit inside a single total figure, but only where that was negotiated in good faith and the terms of the employment agreement account for the amount of the compulsory contribution.

It has to be in the employment agreementNot a verbal understanding, and not just a payroll setting. The agreement needs to state that the figure includes the employer KiwiSaver contribution, and be clear enough that the employee can see what their cash pay actually is.

You cannot move existing staff onto it on your ownPutting someone already employed onto a total remuneration basis changes their terms and needs their agreement. It cannot be backdated.

Decide up front what happens if they stop contributingIf an employee takes a savings suspension or opts out, the compulsory employer contribution stops with it. Your agreement should say whether their cash pay rises to match. Settling that at signing avoids an argument later.

Accommodation needs its own written consentWhere rent is deducted from wages, the Wages Protection Act 1983 requires the employee's written consent to the deduction, and they can vary or withdraw that consent in writing. An accommodation agreement should sit alongside the employment agreement.

This is a summary, not legal advice. Have your employment agreement wording checked before you rely on it.

Once the package is agreed, the setup takes a couple of minutes. AgriSmart works out the split on every pay run and shows it on the payslip, so it stays correct when hours change.

01 Open the employee in Team ManagerHover over Setup, click Team Manager, then click the employee's name to open their profile.
02 Enter the full package as their payOn the Employment Details tab, enter the salary or hourly rate including the employer KiwiSaver contribution. For a $100,000 package, enter $100,000. Do not enter the reduced figure, AgriSmart works that out for you.
03 Add a new deductionClick the Payroll tab, scroll to Other Deductions, and click the plus icon.
04 Set it as a before-tax percentageTick Before Tax. Set Deduction Type to Percent Per Pay Period and enter 3.5. Choose the Salary Sacrifice category and give it a description the employee will understand on their payslip, such as KiwiSaver Employer Contribution.
05 Set the start date and saveUse the employment start date, or the date the employee opted into KiwiSaver, then click Save.

Full setup guide in the help centre

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