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)
September 18, 2024
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Offshore Payroll strengthens team with new appointment
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.”

Employers urged to prepare for combined employer return
Revenue Jersey is reminding employers – including building contractors – to prepare for changes to the way they submit their returns of employees’ tax deductions, taxable benefits, contributions and manpower.
Under the current system employers submit their tax, social security, and manpower information on different returns.
From January 2022, employers will submit a Combined Employer Return (CER) every month, which will include tax, social security contributions and manpower all on the same return.
The deadline for the first return under the new system is 15 February 2022.
To complete the CER, employers who use their own payroll software will need to make changes to their systems. Employers who use the online employer returns form will be redirected to a new form when they submit their January 2022 return.
Submissions will need to include the correct social security numbers and tax identification numbers for each of their employees, to be accepted. Ahead of the change, employers will need to ensure all their records are correct and up to date.
Comptroller of Revenue, Richard Summersgill, said: “This initiative will make life easier for employers, enabling them to tell Government about a number of employee-related matters just once. It is the latest step in the Government’s plans to collect revenues more efficiently by centralising services and systems where it is appropriate to do so.”
“We’re committed to achieving this by modernising our legislation, providing easier access to services online, ensuring all customers can understand and meet their obligations while reducing costs.”
“The new return will make the submission process easier for employers but it’s important that employers are sufficiently prepared by having the correct information for their employees. We have been updating employers for some time and there is detailed information and advice on how to prepare for the changes on a dedicated webpage.”
More information about changes is available via the Government of Jersey website: www.gov.je/CombinedEmployerReturn
Payroll suppliers and employers have received information about the changes to give them enough time to update their systems and software.
Employers can also request IT specifications for their payroll provider, or subscribe to regular email updates by emailing: cer@gov.je
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!
“A must have for a business”
Seamlessly integrates with Xero… great service from the team… A must have for a business with employees, ensuring payroll is completed effortlessly and facilitates the CER submissions.
De Wet Oosthuizen – Finance and Operations Manager

