Section 34-8-152 - Standard rate(a) The standard rate of contribution shall be 5.4 percent. The standard rate of contribution is the rate from which variations therefrom are computed as provided in Code Section 34-8-155.(b) No employer's rate shall be reduced below the rate for new employers as specified in Code Section 34-8-151 for any calendar year, except as provided in Code Section 34-8-155, unless and until such employer's account could have been chargeable with benefit payments throughout the 36 consecutive calendar months ending on the computation date for that calendar year.