Frequently asked questions

Any KiwiSaver scheme supervisor, manager, promoter or other person cannot charge an 'unreasonable' fee. Regulations 10 to 12 of the KiwiSaver Regulations 2006 set out the process requirements and relevant criteria for the FMA when considering whether a KiwiSaver scheme complies with the requirement that fees not be unreasonable, and there are KiwiSaver guidelines which provide additional information.

Scheme fees must be disclosed in PDS's and all fees will be assessed in line with the legislation when a provider applies to register a scheme. You must notify the FMA of all fee increases.

Fees charged by advisers for advice about particular KiwiSaver schemes might in some cases (e.g. where the adviser belongs to a scheme's sales force) be 'services relating to the provision of KiwiSaver schemes'. Therefore they will be subject to the unreasonable fees restrictions.

No

Section 68(2) of the Act provides that payments for 'other things' such as life insurance premiums do not count as contributions under the Act, or towards a contribution rate, and cannot be paid via Inland Revenue. This means, for example, where such payments are made by an employed member they must be additional to the employee's chosen 3%, 4% or 8%.

In some cases providers of KiwiSaver schemes have substituted their own wording in schemes' annual reports for the statements required under the FMC Regulations. As a result, the meaning of some statements and certifications has changed, requiring the regulator to seek clarification and replacement statements in some situations.

For clarity, supervisors should ensure that KiwiSaver scheme use the wording required for statements as specified in the FMC Regulations.

Providers should reconcile contribution amounts that they receive against amounts that the providers expected to receive from each employer. Where the two amounts do not match up, providers should follow up this discrepancy and take appropriate action to address it.

Depending on the circumstances of the scheme, providers should be aware of any contribution shortfalls, and the appropriate action to take with any discrepancies.

A person can transfer between KiwiSaver schemes without having to physically sign an application form to join the new scheme. The contract between the prospective member and the new scheme can be made electronically by meeting the requirements for a valid contract and those applicable to electronic contracts.

Members generally cannot be transferred between KiwiSaver schemes without their prior written consents - see section 179 of the FMC Act. However, section 181 of the FMC Act enables a KiwiSaver scheme provider to apply to FMA for approval to a proposed bulk transfer between two KiwiSaver schemes without members' written consents.

The FMA must be satisfied that the terms and conditions of the scheme are no less favouarble than those of the of the old scheme, and that  the transfer is otherwise reasonable in all the circumstances, as well as certain other conditions being met. We have not issued guidelines as we will consider any applications on a case-by-case basis. However, in relation to the 'no less favourable' requirement, providers should note the guidance set out in APRA Superannuation Circular No. I.C.4.

Members must be notified that the applicant has applied for the FMA’s consent to transfer the person without the person’s written consent and that they have the right to make a submission to the FMA about the transfer proposal. We would expect members:

• to have at least 28 days to make that submission; and
• be given sufficient comparative information, including fees, investment options and member services, to enable them to make their own value judgements.

Transfer approval applications are considered on a case-by-case basis and FMA must consider any member submissions received. Under section 181 of the FMC Act the FMA may approve a transfer if it considers the terms and conditions of the new scheme are less favourable and the transfer is otherwise reasonable in all the circumstances. When the FMA considers the terms and conditions are no less favourable it is required to consider all aspects, including how areas such as fees, benefit entitlements and investment allocations compare.

Under section 181 of the FMC Act the FMA may consent to a transfer without the consent of scheme participants if the applicant has given notice to every proposed transferee that the applicant has applied for the FMA’s consent to transfer the person without their written consent, and that the person may make submissions to the FMA about the transfer.

The scheme provider should send the following information to the FMA before they are finalised and sent to members:

• a draft of the formal application letter  under section 181; and
• draft copies of the transfer notice communications for members.

As noted above, the FMA expects proposed transferees to be provided with sufficient comparative information; including fees, investment options and member services, to enable them to make their own value judgements about the transfer, and to assist in any submission they may make to the FMA about the proposed transfer.

Please send these to compliance@fma.govt.nz with the subject line ‘KiwiSaver transfer application form section 181 Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013’

See our KiwiSaver Annual Reports.