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)

Offshore Payroll is delighted to welcome Jackie Helks, who joins the team as a Client Experience Officer.

Jackie together with Offshore Payroll’s Relationship Manager, will have responsibility for further developing effective relationships with clients. This appointment is part of Offshore Payroll’s expansion to satisfy our growing client base. She brings a wealth of customer service experience, having spent over ten years in the luxury hospitality sector, which included responsibility for employee rotas and payroll.

Her passion for client relations makes her ideally suited to support Offshore Payroll clients. Jackie’s expertise will further strengthen Offshore Payroll’s focus on making payroll as simple and efficient as possible for their clients in Jersey, Guernsey and Isle of Man.

Jackie expressed how much she is looking forward to applying her experience in her new role: “Joining the team at Offshore Payroll feels like a natural step after my previous experience in client-facing roles.

I’m delighted to have the responsibility to help create a seamless customer journey and I’m looking forward to working with the Offshore Payroll team, and establishing meaningful connections with our clients.”

Commenting on the appointment, Jeralie Pallot Director, Offshore Payroll, said: “We are delighted that Jackie is joining us as a new member of the Offshore Payroll team. Her enthusiasm and commitment to creating a seamless, enjoyable journey for clients along with her passion for the digital sector, make Jackie the ideal fit for our business. At a time when we are seeing significant growth and change within the payroll market, we know our clients will all benefit from working with her.”

There are some important changes for Jersey and Guernsey will come into effect from the 1st of January 2023, luckily for Offshore Payroll clients we’ve had these in place since early December and our databases have been automatically updated.

Jersey will see an end to the temporary reduction in Social Security contributions and a percentage rise from 4% to 6% for employee contributions from January 1st 2023.

There have also been annual updates to Guernsey and Jersey tax and social security thresholds, more details of these annual changes can be found by using the following links:

Click here for more information on 2023 Jersey Tax rates, allowances and reliefs

Click here for more information on 2023 Guernsey Tax rates, allowances and reliefs

If you’re considering a change in 2023 and are looking for a new Payroll software provider, then reach out and speak with a member of the team by using this link.