Guernsey

Old Age, Disability, and Survivors

Regulatory Framework

First laws: 1925 (old age) and 1935 (old age and survivors).

Current laws: 1971 (social assistance), 1978 (social insurance), and 1984 (attendance and invalid care).

Type of program: Social insurance and social assistance system.

Coverage

Social insurance: Employed and self-employed persons; and non-employed persons with an annual income of £15,730 or more.

Voluntary coverage for non-employed persons under age 65 with an annual income of less than £15,730.

Social assistance and disability income-tested allowances: All persons residing in Guernsey.

Source of Funds

Insured person: 6% of covered earnings.

The minimum weekly earnings used to calculate contributions are £121.

The maximum weekly earnings used to calculate contributions are £2,022.

The insured's contributions also finance sickness, maternity, work injury, and unemployment benefits; prescription medicine; long-term care; and some medical services.

Non-employed persons under age 65 contribute 9.9% of annual income (old age and survivors).

The non-employed persons' (under age 65) contributions also finance prescription medication, long-term care and some medical services.

The minimum annual income of non-employed persons used to calculate contributions is £15,730. Non-employed persons with income above £15,730 pay contributions on the difference between their income and £6,675.

The maximum annual earnings of non-employed persons used to calculate contributions are £105,144.

Self-employed person: 10.5% of covered earnings.

The minimum annual earnings used to calculate contributions are £6,292.

The maximum annual earnings used to calculate contributions are £105,144.

The self-employed person's contributions also finance sickness, maternity, and work injury benefits; prescription medicine; long-term care; and some medical services.

Employer: 6.5% of covered payroll.

The minimum weekly earnings used to calculate contributions are £121.

The maximum weekly earnings used to calculate contributions are £2,022.

The employer's contributions also finance sickness, maternity, work injury, and unemployment benefits; prescription medicine; long-term care; and some medical services.

Government: 15% of total contributions; total cost of social assistance and other noncontributory benefits; contributes as an employer.

Qualifying Conditions

Old-age pension: Age 65 with at least 156 weeks of paid contributions and an annual average of 10 weeks of paid or credited contributions in the 45-year period from age 20 to age 65. The full pension is paid for an annual average of at least 50 weeks of paid or credited contributions.

Partial pension: The pension is reduced proportionately for an annual average of 10 to 49 weeks of paid or credited contributions.

Dependent's supplement: Paid for a dependent wife younger than age 65 with an annual average of 50 weeks of paid or credited contributions; 10 to 49 weeks for the reduced supplement.

Contributions may be credited for persons who are not working to care for a child younger than age 16.

Retirement is not necessary.

The old-age pension is payable abroad.

Disability pension (invalidity benefit): The insured must be assessed as incapable of any work and have at least 50 weeks of paid or credited contributions in the relevant contribution year for the full pension.

Partial pension: The pension is reduced proportionately with 26 to 49 weeks of paid or credited contributions in the relevant contribution year.

The disability pension is replaced by the old-age pension at age 65.

The disability pension is payable abroad under reciprocal agreement.

Attendance allowance (income-tested): Paid after three months of severe disability (special conditions apply if the person is terminally ill). The person was born in Guernsey or resided in Guernsey for at least five years. The annual income must not exceed £85,000.

Invalid care allowance (income-tested): Paid to an individual caring for a person with a severe disability for at least 35 hours a week and earning less than £121 a week from employment. The annual income must not exceed £85,000.

Bereavement payment (survivor grant): The deceased had an annual average of at least 50 paid or credited weekly contributions from age 20 to the year of death for the full benefit; 10 to 49 weeks for the reduced benefit. The benefit is paid to all widow(er)s. The survivor must have been married to the deceased at the time of death.

The bereavement payment is in addition to other survivor benefits.

Widowed parent's allowance: The deceased had an annual average of at least 50 weeks of paid or credited contributions from age 20 to the year of death for the full benefit; 10 to 49 weeks for the reduced benefit. The allowance is paid to a surviving spouse with at least one dependent child. The survivor must have been married to the deceased at the time of death.

The widowed parent's allowance ceases on remarriage or cohabitation.

The widowed parent's allowance is replaced by the old-age pension at age 65.

Bereavement allowance: The deceased had an annual average of at least 50 weeks of paid or credited contributions from age 20 to the year of death for the full benefit; 10 to 49 weeks for the reduced benefit. The allowance is paid to a surviving spouse aged 45 to 64 with no dependent children who was married to the deceased at the time of death.

The bereavement allowance is replaced by the old-age pension at age 65.

Death grant: The deceased had an annual average of 45 to 52 weeks of paid or credited contributions from age 20 to the year of death and 26 weeks since 1971 for the full benefit; 10 to 44 weeks for the reduced benefit. The grant is paid on the death of the insured, his or her spouse or surviving spouse, or his or her child.

All survivor payments, allowances, and grants are payable abroad.

Supplementary benefits (income-tested): Paid to persons older than age 60, persons with disabilities, persons caring for a family member, or single parents. The benefit is subject to a weekly income ceiling of £450.

Old-Age Benefits

Old-age pension: The full weekly pension is £186.13.

Partial pension: The reduced weekly pension varies from £37.23 to £182.41.

Dependent's supplement: The full weekly supplement for a dependent adult is £93.24. The reduced weekly supplement varies from £18.65 to £91.38.

Supplementary benefit (income-tested): Up to £450 a week is paid, according to the family's situation and the number and age of dependents.

Benefit adjustment: All old-age benefits are adjusted annually by the States of Guernsey on the recommendation of the Social Security Department.

Permanent Disability Benefits

Disability pension (invalidity benefit): The full weekly pension is £164.64.

Partial pension: The reduced weekly pension is £90.58 to £159.67. The benefit is paid after entitlement to cash sickness benefits ceases.

Attendance allowance: A weekly allowance of £92.12 is paid.

Invalid care allowance: A weekly allowance of £74.48 is paid.

Supplementary benefit (income-tested): Up to £450 a week is paid, according to the family's income, housing arrangements, and the number and age of dependents.

Benefit adjustment: All disability benefits are adjusted annually by the States of Guernsey on the recommendation of the Social Security Department.

Survivor Benefits

Bereavement payment (survivor grant): The full benefit is a lump sum of £1,689; £338 to £1,655 for the reduced benefit.

Widowed parent's allowance: The full weekly allowance is £195.72; £83.51 to £192.91 for the reduced benefit.

Bereavement allowance: The full weekly allowance is £168.28; £33.66 to £164.91 for the reduced benefit.

Death grant: The full benefit is a lump sum of £534; £267 to £400.50 for the reduced benefit. The grant is paid on the death of the insured, the surviving spouse or child.

Supplementary benefit (income-tested): Up to £450 a week is paid, according to the family's situation and the number and age of dependents.

Benefit adjustment: All survivor benefits are adjusted annually by the States of Guernsey on the recommendation of the Social Security Department.

Administrative Organization

Social Security Department (http://www.gov.gg) administers the program.

Sickness and Maternity

Regulatory Framework

First laws: 1964 (sickness), 1971 (maternity), and 1972 (medicine).

Current laws: 1971 (social assistance); 1978 (social insurance), with 1999 (maternity); 1990 (medical benefits); and 2002 (long-term care).

Type of program: Social insurance (cash benefits), social assistance (means-tested benefits), and universal (medical benefits and long-term care) system.

Coverage

Cash sickness and maternity benefits: Employed and self-employed persons with weekly earnings of £121 or more.

Long-term care benefit: All persons who have resided in Guernsey for at least five years, including the year immediately before the year of the claim.

Medical benefits: All persons residing in Guernsey.

Source of Funds

Insured person: See source of funds under Old Age, Disability, and Survivors. All persons over age 65 contribute 2.9% of annual income (long-term care and medical benefits).

Self-employed person: See source of funds under Old Age, Disability, and Survivors.

Employer: See source of funds under Old Age, Disability, and Survivors.

Government: See source of funds under Old Age, Disability, and Survivors; the total cost of supplementary benefits.

Qualifying Conditions

Cash sickness benefits: The insured must have at least 26 weeks of paid contributions since 1965 and at least 26 weeks in the relevant contribution year.

The relevant contribution year for benefit claims made from January to June is two years before the year of the claim; for benefit claims made from July to December, one year before the year of the claim.

Cash maternity allowances: The insured must have at least 26 weeks of paid or credited contributions in the relevant contribution year.

The relevant contribution year for benefit claims made from January to June is two years before the year of the claim; for benefit claims made from July to December, one year before the year of the claim.

Maternity grant: Must be insured and ordinarily reside in Guernsey.

Long-term care benefit: The insured must have resided in Guernsey for at least five years, including the year immediately before receiving the long-term care benefit, and must receive residential care, residential care with elderly mentally infirm care, or nursing care.

Sickness and Maternity Benefits

Sickness benefit: £136.99 a week is paid if the insured has at least 50 weeks of paid or credited contributions in the relevant contribution year; with 26 to 49 weeks of contributions, the weekly benefit is proportionately reduced and varies from £75.32 to £132.86.

The benefit is paid for up to 26 weeks.

Maternity allowance: £136.99 a week is paid if the insured has at least 50 weeks of paid or credited contributions in the relevant contribution year; with 26 to 49 weeks of contributions, the weekly allowance is proportionately reduced and varies from £75.32 to £132.86.

The allowance is paid for 18 consecutive weeks starting from one to 11 weeks before the expected date of birth, depending on the insured's choice.

Maternity grant: A lump sum of £343 is paid.

Long-term care benefit: £391.37 a week is paid for residential home care (£515.69 a week if assessed as having an elderly mental infirmity (EMI)); and £730.73 a week for nursing home care. (The beneficiary must make a weekly copayment of £176.61.)

Up to £567.98 a week is paid for respite care provided in a residential home (£692.30 a week if assessed as having an EMI); or £907.34 a week for respite care provided in a nursing home. (There are no copayments for persons receiving respite care.)

There is no limit to duration for long-term care benefits.

Workers' Medical Benefits

Medical benefits: The government provides acute hospital accommodation. Specialist medical services are provided by specialist group practices contracted to the government.

Cost sharing: The insured pays a flat-rate fee of £3.10 for medical prescriptions. The fund pays additional costs. There is no fee for persons older than 64 or for social assistance beneficiaries and their dependents. The fund pays a partial subsidy directly to an approved doctor (£12) or nurse (£6).

Dependents' Medical Benefits

The government provides acute hospital accommodation. Specialist medical services are provided by specialist group practices contracted to the government.

Eligible dependents are the insured's children. Nonworking spouses must be registered and covered in their own right.

Cost sharing: The insured pays a flat-rate fee of £3.10 for medical prescriptions. The fund pays additional costs. There is no fee for persons older than 64 or for social assistance beneficiaries and their dependents. The fund pays a partial subsidy directly to an approved doctor (£12) or nurse (£6).

Administrative Organization

Social Security Department (http://www.gov.gg) administers cash benefits.

Health and Social Services Department administers hospital benefits.

Work Injury

Regulatory Framework

First law: 1925.

Current law: 1978 (social insurance).

Type of program: Social insurance system.

Coverage

Employed and self-employed persons.

Source of Funds

Insured person: See source of funds under Old Age, Disability, and Survivors.

Self-employed person: See source of funds under Old Age, Disability, and Survivors.

Employer: See source of funds under Old Age, Disability, and Survivors.

Government: See source of funds under Old Age, Disability, and Survivors.

Qualifying Conditions

Work injury benefits: There is no minimum qualifying period.

Temporary Disability Benefits

Temporary disability benefit (industrial injury): £136.99 a week is paid for up to 26 weeks; thereafter, the insured may be entitled to receive the full disability pension (see Old Age, Disability, and Survivors) until reaching pensionable age.

Permanent Disability Benefits

Permanent disability benefit (industrial disablement): If the insured is assessed with a full disability (100%), the weekly pension is £150.01. The benefit is proportionately reduced for an assessed degree of disability from 20% to 99%.

A medical board assesses the degree of disability.

Benefits are also provided under Old Age, Disability, and Survivors and Sickness and Maternity.

Benefit adjustment: Benefits are adjusted annually by the States of Guernsey on the recommendation of the Social Security Department.

Workers' Medical Benefits

Hospital accommodation is provided by the government. Specialist medical services are provided by specialist group practices contracted by the government.

There is no cost sharing.

Survivor Benefits

Bereavement payment (survivor grant): A lump sum of £1,689 is paid if the deceased had an annual average of at least 50 weeks of paid or credited contributions from age 20 to the year of death; with an annual average of 10 to 49 weeks the lump sum is proportionately reduced and varies from £338 to £1,655.

Widowed parent's allowance: The weekly allowance is £195.72 if the deceased had an annual average of at least 50 weeks of paid or credited contributions from age 20 to the year of death; with an annual average of 10 to 49 weeks, the weekly allowance is proportionately reduced and varies from £83.51 to £192.91.

If the deceased had an annual average of less than 10 weeks of paid or credited contributions and death was the result of a work injury, the minimum number of weeks of contributions used to calculate benefits is 10.

Bereavement allowance: The weekly allowance is £168.28 if the deceased had an annual average of at least 50 weeks of paid or credited contributions from age 20 to the year of death; with an annual average of 10 to 49 weeks, the weekly allowance is proportionately reduced and varies from £33.66 to £164.91.

The allowance is paid to a surviving spouse aged 45 to 64 with no dependent children who was married to the deceased at the time of death.

Benefit adjustment: Benefits are adjusted annually by the States of Guernsey on the recommendation of the Social Security Department.

Administrative Organization

Social Security Department (http://www.gov.gg) administers the program.

Unemployment

Regulatory Framework

First law: 1964.

Current law: 1978 (social insurance).

Type of program: Social insurance system.

Coverage

Employed persons with weekly earnings of at least £121.

Exclusions: Self-employed and nonemployed persons.

Source of Funds

Insured person: See source of funds under Old Age, Disability, and Survivors.

Self-employed person: Not applicable.

Employer: See source of funds under Old Age, Disability, and Survivors.

Government: See source of funds under Old Age, Disability, and Survivors.

Qualifying Conditions

Unemployment benefits: The insured must have at least 26 weeks of paid or credited contributions. The full benefit is paid with at least 50 weeks of paid or credited contributions in the relevant contribution year; the benefit is proportionately reduced with less than 50 paid or credited weekly contributions.

The relevant contribution year for benefit claims made from January to June is two years before the year of the claim; for benefit claims made from July to December, one year before the year of the claim.

The insured must register at a job center each week to confirm his or her availability for work. The insured may be disqualified for 10 weeks for leaving employment voluntarily, misconduct, or refusing a suitable work offer.

Unemployment Benefits

The weekly benefit is £136.99 if the insured has at least 50 weeks of paid or credited contributions in the relevant contribution year; with 26 to 49 weeks, the weekly benefit is proportionately reduced and varies from £75.32 to £132.86.

The benefit is paid for up to 180 days.

Requalification for the benefit requires 13 additional weeks of employment with earnings at least 40 times the young person's minimum hourly wage rate. Persons enrolled in a training course that is fully or partially funded by the States of Guernsey are not entitled to requalify for the benefit.

The young person's minimum hourly wage rate is £4.36. 

Benefit adjustment: Benefits are adjusted annually by the States of Guernsey on the recommendation of the Social Security Department.

Administrative Organization

Social Security Department (http://www.gov.gg) administers the program.

Family Allowances

Regulatory Framework

First law: 1943.

Current law: 1950 (family allowances).

Type of program: Universal system.

Coverage

All persons residing in Guernsey with one or more children.

Source of Funds

Insured person: None.

Self-employed person: None.

Employer: None.

Government: The total cost.

Qualifying Conditions

Family allowances: Paid to a parent or guardian for a child younger than age 16 (age 20 if a student). The claimant was born in Guernsey or has resided in Guernsey for at least 52 weeks in the last two years.

Family Allowance Benefits

Family allowance: £15.40 is paid weekly for each child.

Benefit adjustment: Benefits are adjusted annually by the States of Guernsey on the recommendation of the Social Security Department.

Administrative Organization

Social Security Department (http://www.gov.gg) administers the program.