Set up benefit types, rules, rates, and limits
First set up benefit types and benefits. Then add rules, rates, limits, and entry thresholds, and use the calculation preview to check which employees the configuration applies to.
Prerequisites
- Salary types for contributions and exemptions are set up.
- Foundations for OASI-related and insurance-related parameters are aligned.
Set up benefit types
Benefit types classify benefits and determine which salary types are used as the calculation base. For information about setting up benefit types and OASI parameters, see Benefit types. You specify which salary types flow into the calculation of a benefit in the benefit assignment of a salary type.
Create and manage the benefit setup
The benefit setup defines the individual benefits and their assignment to a benefit type. The Benefit Setup page shows all benefits sorted hierarchically by calculation order.
- Choose the Search icon, enter Benefit Setup, and then choose the related link.
- Choose New to create a new benefit.
- Fill in the fields as described in the following table.
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Code | Unique identifier of the benefit. |
| Type | The assigned benefit type. You can change this field only on the base benefit. |
| Description | Descriptive name of the benefit. |
| Applies-From Benefit | Links this benefit to a parent base benefit. Changes to the base benefit's assignments are automatically propagated to this benefit. |
| Coverage Type | Entitlement settings for the employee assignment. The value you choose determines which entitlements are available per employee. |
| Inactive | Specifies whether the benefit is included during payroll processing. Editable only on the base benefit. |
Hinweis
Fields such as Contribution Salary Type and Exemption Salary Type are by default editable only on the base benefit. When a benefit is linked to a parent benefit through Applies-From Benefit, it automatically inherits these fields from the base benefit.
You can adjust the calculation order with the Move Up, Move Down, and Reset Calculation Order actions.
Set up rules
Rules define the conditions under which a particular rate or limit applies. A rule without conditions is always met and applies to all employees.
- Choose the Search icon, enter Rules, and then choose the related link.
- Choose New to open the Rule page.
- Fill in the fields as described in the following table.
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Code | Unique identifier of the rule. |
| Description | Descriptive name of the rule. |
| Table | The table that the rule lines refer to. For benefit rates and limits, rules can be based on the employee table or the benefit assignment table. |
Add rule lines
Below the general fields, add the actual condition logic through rule lines.
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Operator | Logical operator that connects this line with the previous line. Possible values: Where (first line of a group), And, and Or. |
| Type | Type of the rule line: Field (field condition), Rule (linked rule), or Group (grouping of multiple lines created automatically). You can't create groups manually — select the desired lines and use the Group action. |
| Target | For type Field: field caption from the selected table. For type Rule: code of the linked rule. |
| Target Expression | For field rules: filter expression that the field value must satisfy (for example, M for men on a gender field). |
Tipp
The Rule Preview FactBox shows in real time which records the rule currently matches. Choose the Refresh Preview action to refresh the display manually.
Hinweis
A rule can't reference itself. The system checks this when saving and prevents cyclical references.
Set up rates
Rates define the employee and employer share for a benefit. You can store multiple rates per benefit with different validity dates and optional rules.
Rates are maintained directly on the benefit record. Open the Benefit Setup page, select the desired benefit, and go to the Benefit Rates FactBox.
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Valid From | Date from which this rate applies. The date is automatically set to the first day of the month. |
| Rule Code | Optional rule that determines when this rate applies. A rate without a rule code applies to all employees. |
| Rate Type | Calculation method of the rate: Percent (percentage of the calculation base), Fixed (fixed amount), or Percent of Contribution (percentage of the already calculated contribution). |
| Employee | Employee share as a percentage or amount, depending on the selected rate type. |
| Employer | Employer share as a percentage or amount, depending on the selected rate type. |
Wichtig
Rates for which payroll entries already exist can no longer be changed. Valid From, Rule Code, and Rate Type are read-only in that case.
Set up limits
Limits restrict the salary range to which a benefit is applied. They're defined with an annual lower and upper limit and can also be combined with rules.
You'll find limits in the Benefit Limits FactBox on the Benefit Setup page.
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Valid From | Date from which this limit applies. The date is automatically set to the beginning of the year. |
| Rule Code | Optional rule for the limit. The most recent limit with a valid rule or no rule is considered during calculation. |
| Lower Limit (Annual) | Minimum annual income from which this benefit applies. Income below this limit isn't considered during calculation. |
| Upper Limit (Annual) | Maximum annual income up to which this benefit applies. Income above this limit isn't considered. A value of 0 means no upper limit applies. |
Hinweis
The upper limit must always be greater than the lower limit. Otherwise, the system prevents saving with a corresponding error message.
Wichtig
As with rates, limits for which payroll entries already exist are read-only.
Set up entry thresholds
The Benefit Entry Thresholds (entry thresholds) determine the annual income from which a benefit is included in the calculation. Income below the threshold isn't considered in the benefit calculation. This is independent of the benefit limits (lower/upper limit of the calculation base).
You maintain entry thresholds on the benefit (Benefit Entry Thresholds FactBox or part on the benefit setup).
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Valid From / Valid from | Start of validity. SwissSalary sets the date to the beginning of the year (<-CY>). |
| Rule Code | Optional rule at employee or benefit assignment level. Without a rule, the threshold applies to everyone. The most recent valid threshold with a matching rule or an empty rule counts. |
| Entry Threshold (Annual) | Annual entry threshold. Amounts below it aren't included in the benefit calculation. |
| Adjustment Type | Prorated – the threshold is adjusted pro rata by employment days (basis 360, rounding per Payroll Setup). No Adjustment – annual amount unchanged. |
Procedure
- Open the relevant benefit in Benefit Setup.
- Enter a new entry threshold with a Valid From date.
- Enter the annual amount of the threshold.
- Assign a Rule if needed (for example, only certain employment types).
- Choose the adjustment type (Prorated or No Adjustment).
- Use the calculation preview or a test payroll run to verify that employees below the threshold don't receive a benefit contribution.
Wichtig
Once payroll entries exist for the benefit after the Valid From date, thresholds (like rates and limits) can no longer be changed freely. Plan changes with a new Valid From date after the last relevant payroll run.
Hinweis
A limit restricts the salary corridor of the calculation. An entry threshold decides whether the benefit applies to the income at all. Both can be combined with rules; the selection logic looks for the most recent matching record in each case.
Good to know
- Trying to overwrite rates, limits, or thresholds that already have payroll entries — the fields are read-only; plan a new Valid From.
- Saving an upper limit less than or equal to the lower limit — the system rejects the record.
- Expecting changes on the derived benefit even though the field comes from the base benefit — the change has no effect.
- Rules referencing themselves cyclically or ignoring the order — the calculation hangs or takes effect in the wrong sequence (Move Up/Move Down).