Get Ready: Seamless Secondary Pensions Submissions for Guernsey and Alderney are Here!
We’re excited to announce the launch of our new secondary pensions functionality for Guernsey and Alderney. This game-changing feature allows you to manage pension schemes and submit Government returns directly through Offshore Payroll, all in line with the new mandatory secondary pensions legislation.
Clients Are Already Raving! One of our clients, who’s has recently onboarded to Offshore Payroll, told us: “Wow… this is a thousand times better than our current process!”
We’re thrilled to see such great feedback and can’t wait for you to experience the same ease and efficiency.
What You Need to Know
To ensure a smooth transition, we’ve outlined the key fields you’ll need to update for your Guernsey and Alderney employees using our effortless imports function:
- Date of Birth
This will now be mandatory for all employee records as it is required in the new secondary pensions returns.
- Occupation Code
You’ll need to add a 4-digit occupation code for each employee to meet the new Government reporting requirements. Check out the link for more details: https://www.gov.gg/ocodes
- Opted Out Until Date
If an employee opts out of the pension scheme, you’ll need to provide an “opted out until” date, which will be submitted as part of the Government return. More details are available on https://www.gov.gg/Secondary-Pensions
- Deferred Until Date
While this field isn’t part of the official return, it’s handy for keeping track of deferral periods. See more information on deferred enrolment [https://www.gov.gg/article/198147/SP1—Notices-of-Enrolment-and-employers-obligations]
- In Full-Time Education
A simple tick box will let you mark employees in full-time education, and this will be included in your pension return.
Be Fully Prepared with Our User Guide
To help you get up to speed, we’ve created a comprehensive suite of user guides with all the steps you need to take for a seamless transition to secondary pensions.
We’re committed to making your payroll process as easy as possible!
September 19, 2024
Related articles
Guernsey and Alderney secondary pension scheme delayed
The introduction of a government-approved secondary pension scheme for Guernsey and Alderney has been delayed.
The scheme was due to be established in 2022 after being approved by deputies, but Brexit and Covid-19 have caused a delay.
No alternative start date has yet been proposed. A delay was not unexpected given the challenges of the past year, and that it could help businesses already hit by the pandemic prepare for the scheme’s implementation.
Local employers will be obliged to offer a pension scheme for staff if they do not do so already, and to make contributions of up to 3.5% of salary.
The default scheme is to be administered by a UK auto-enrolment pension provider specialist, but many businesses are setting up new schemes with local providers.
Details of the delay are set out in Employment & Social Security’s Social Security Contributory Fund Accounts 2020, due to be discussed by the States on 16 June.
Source: Guernsey press Website (Secondary pensions held up by Covid and Brexit | Guernsey Press)
Jersey Mini Budget – Changes to Jersey Payroll
An extensive package of measures to address the cost-of-living crisis, which formed part of the Chief Minister’s 100 day plan has been passed.
The aim of this package is to put almost £15 million back into Islanders’ pockets this year and almost £42 million in 2023.
The Minister for Treasury and Resources, Deputy Ian Gorst, said: “This mini budget will help individuals and families with their budgets in this cost of living crisis. I am pleased with the work we have done to help people with these broad measures at this time of need in the community.”
Some of the changes passed as part of the Mini budget will directly impact payroll in Jersey. A reduction from 6% to 4% for employee Social Security contributions, came into effect on the 1st of October 2022 for 3 months (ending on the 31st of December 2022).
Our clients won’t need to do anything, as the update to social security will go through to our databases automatically.
Also approved as part of the Mini budget was an above inflation increase of 12% in Income Tax thresholds and allowances, including Child Allowances, Additional Allowance and Child Care Tax Relief. From 1 January 2023 Income tax threshold for a single person will be raised from £16,550 to £18,550.
We will also be updating Jersey databases to reflect the increase in income tax thresholds from the 1st of January 2023 onward and will let our clients know if any action is required.
You can find more information about the Mini budget through the Government of Jersey website: https://www.gov.je/News/2022/Pages/MiniBudgetQandA.aspx
Source: Government of Jersey News Release.
Meet our Team – Jackie Helks
Jackie is our Customer Experience Specialist with a flair for marketing and design! With over a decade of top-level hospitality experience under her belt, Jackie’s expertise in client relations makes her an invaluable asset to us and our Offshore Payroll clients.
Jackie’s commitment to understanding and meeting client needs is hugely impressive. She is here to make your journey with Offshore Payroll smooth and enjoyable. Her previous experience of technical projects includes launching a cloud-based booking system for a high-profile hotel, rebranding and new website planning, as well as managing onboarding, employee rotas and payroll. Plus, she is certified in Zendesk Agent Support and HubSpot Inbound Marketing, adding to her impressive skill set!
“I love being able to press a button and e-mail all the payslips”
Also the Government one return is made so easy again, just submit and it is all completed, If I have any queries or questions the Support Team always sort out any issues and provide solutions.
I find because the product is cloud based if I think of something which needs updating after I have finished work, I can just use my mobile phone or I pad at home so it is very accessible.
Offshore Payroll is very easy to use, it saves me considerable time and has streamlined our payroll process.
Angela Sheehan – Accounts Officer
