Plain language law

New Zealand law explained for everyone

Parental Leave and Employment Protection Act 1987

Rights and obligations after commencement of parental leave

44: Contributions to superannuation schemes

You could also call this:

“Rules about paying into your retirement savings while on parental leave”

When you’re on parental leave or returning to work after parental leave, you might be part of a superannuation scheme. Here’s what you need to know about your contributions:

If you’re required to pay into your superannuation scheme during your parental leave, but you don’t make these payments, that time won’t count as service for your superannuation. This means you won’t get credit for that period in your superannuation scheme.

Also, if your superannuation scheme says you need to keep paying contributions while you’re on parental leave or when you’re coming back to work afterwards, you still have to make these payments. The law doesn’t change this rule or take away your responsibility to pay.

Remember, these rules apply both when you’re on parental leave and when you’re using your right to get your job back after parental leave.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM121006.

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Part 5 Rights and obligations after commencement of parental leave

44Contributions to superannuation schemes

  1. Nothing in section 43(b)(ii) shall—

  2. entitle an employee to have any period counted as service for the purposes of a superannuation scheme if the employee is required to pay contributions in respect of that period and has not done so; or
    1. relieve an employee from any obligation under a superannuation scheme to pay contributions in respect of any period during which the employee is on parental leave or during which the employee is entitled, following parental leave, to preference in obtaining employment with the employee's employer.

      Compare
      • 1980 No 162 s 23