In today’s fast-moving world, earned wage access (EWA) is quickly becoming a must-have employee benefit. It contributes to lower turnover and improved morale, and helps your team manage financial stress. But when you’re considering connecting a new platform to your Payroll and Time & Attendance systems, the first question is: Is this secure and compliant?
Although you want to give your team a high-value benefit, you also need to ensure you won’t be taking on new legal risks or data headaches. Here we’ll answer the most frequently asked questions about how Keeper’s EWA platform is security-first and compliance-ready.
How is Keeper secure and compliant?
Keeper EWA is SOC 2-compliant, fully encrypted, and built with employer compliance in mind. Our platform is fully encrypted to comply with all U.S. security guidelines, including adherence to PCI (Payment Card Industry) security standards. We never touch your payroll or modify your existing processes.
In what ways does EWA affect taxes and payroll deductions?
It’s easier than you think. Earned wage access doesn’t change total taxes or your core payroll process.
When an employee uses EWA, the amount they access (plus any vendor fees) is treated as a post-tax voluntary deduction. This deduction is taken out of their upcoming paycheck, reducing the net amount they receive for that cycle without changing overall tax liability.
EWA is not a loan in the eyes of the federal government. While the “no loan” status is key for federal tax purposes, some states have laws that may impact how it’s handled, and we actively monitor specific state laws and regulatory discussions, such as those concerning “constructive receipt,” to ensure Keeper’s compliance is always up-to-date.
Is EWA compliant with federal and state regulations?
Keeper adheres to all federal, state, and local regulations applicable to earned wage access programs, including compliance with state-specific requirements. Because some states have unique legal requirements, Keeper may not be available in all states.
Keeper is dedicated to adhering to all applicable federal, state, and local regulations for EWA, including any state-specific requirements. We focus our efforts on maintaining full compliance. As some states have unique laws, Keeper may not be available in every single state.
Is a person’s credit score affected by using EWA?
Keeper’s EWA program is not debit, a loan, or any kind of credit product. That means we don’t charge interest, we never run a credit check on employees, and we do not report any activity to the credit bureaus. It’s a simple advance on wages already earned, so your team can use it with total peace of mind.
The Value of a Vetted EWA Partner
Implementing earned wage access is a powerful step toward retaining staff and boosting morale, but it requires a partner you can trust. By choosing Keeper, you get a fully vetted platform built on a foundation of ironclad security and proactive compliance. You can offer your team a high-value benefit with complete peace of mind, knowing that your payroll process and sensitive data are always protected.
With Keeper, you get compliance, security, and simplicity without complexity. Talk to our team to learn how easy it is to onboard and use Keeper EWA.
