Benefits

Locked-in Schemes enable employees to access KiwiSaver equivalent member tax credit contributions from the Government, while maintaining the Government Guarantee and the minimum 4% earnings rate. This is a tangible benefits employers can show when seeking to attract and/or retain staff.

This is where the employee chooses to “sacrifice” an additional percentage of their base salary or wages, which the employer can then pay as additional employer contributions into the relevant NPF scheme. Where the member's marginal tax rate is higher than the applicable ESCT rate ( ESCT is the rate of tax payable on an employer's superannuation contributions), the member benefits from the difference in the tax rates.

The highest marginal member tax rate is 39% (as at 1 December 2013), the same rate as the highest ESCT rate, and the PAYE and ESCT rates and thresholds are broadly consistent. There is therefore now little, if any, financial advantage in paying additional contributions through salary sacrifice.

Yes. As at 1 December 2013, the Government provides members with a tax credit contribution matching their locked-in contributions at a rate of 50c per dollar up to a maximum of $521.43 a year. This credit is paid into the Locked-in Scheme and forms part of the member’s locked-in contributions. Tax credits may only be withdrawn early in cases of serious illness. If you permanently emigrate, you cannot withdraw any member tax credits.

Provided you have been contributing to the Locked-in Scheme for at least three years, if you have never owned a home (or are in the same financial position as would be expected of a person who has never owned a home), you may be able to withdraw the balance in your Locked-in Scheme account to help pay for the purchase of your home. A number of conditions apply - for example the house must be intended as your principal place of residence.

If you have been contributing continuously to the Locked-in Scheme for at least three years, you may be eligible for a subsidy of up to $1,000 for each year of Scheme membership (up to a maximum subsidy of $5,000), to buy your first home (or subject to conditions a second or subsequent home if you are in the same financial position as would be expected of a person who has never owned a home). The eligibility criteria are set by Housing New Zealand and include household income and regional house price caps. For details about required contribution levels and the other qualifying criteria, visit the Housing New Zealand website www.hnzc.co.nz. Housing New Zealand administers the home purchase subsidy facility and subsidies are not payable from the Locked-in Scheme.