Voluntary benefits
Voluntary benefits schemes enable organisations to offer extra perks, discounted products and services to the workforce at little or no extra cost to the company. These benefits are paid for by the employee, sometimes through payroll. Perks that attract an employer tax break can be offered through a salary sacrifice arrangement. It is advisable to get in a tax expert when you implement a salary sacrifice scheme. Most medium to large UK employers offer voluntary benefits (also known as affinity benefits). Affinity schemes allow a company to use bulk buying power to negotiate product discounts on popular products and services.
Definitions of common voluntary benefits terms
Key research on voluntary benefits
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News
IPC launches group income protection benefit for staff
IPC Media has launched a voluntary salary sacrifice group income protection benefit. Staff are being invited to sign up for the perk which comes into effect in January.
01 Dec Monmouthshire County Council launches discounts for staff
01 Dec Preston College launches bus pass through salary sacrifice
01 Dec First Group launch tax-efficient bus pass
25 Nov Getty Images launches discounts on dining out
20 Nov Report for FDs: Firms offer discount plans in downturn
Analysis
Technology's growth boosts voluntary plans
As technology advances, employers can make use of personalised communications and detailed management information, explains David Woods
01 Dec Employee Benefits Voluntary Benefits and Salary Sacrifice Supplement 2008
04 Jul Adding extra value to benefits
04 Jul Benefits for low paid staff
06 May Greater onus on employers to look after staff needs
Case Studies
Employer profile: Kent County Council
Kent County Council is sharing its benefits expertise with neighbouring employers after revamping its perks, says David Woods
01 Dec Case Study: Northgate Information Solutions
01 Dec Case study: Mills & Reeve:
01 Dec Case Study : Canon
01 Dec Case Study: Amey
04 Apr Case study: Hertfordshire Council cuts unique supplier deals
Research
Majority of trustees to permit AVCs
The majority of pension trustees will continue to allow staff to make additional voluntary contributions (AVCs) despite not being required to do so under 2006's pensions simplification legislation.
07 Apr Pensions are most popular perk offered through flex
30 Apr Employee Benefits Research 2007: Salary sacrifice & voluntary benefits
01 Feb Employers seek to raise perks but not the costs
Sponsor's Articles
13 Nov Asperity Employee Benefits recognised as an Investor in People
29 Oct Wessex Water launch VB programme in record time
09 Oct Royal Borough of Kingston appoint Asperity to provide new benefits package
18 Jul Kent County Council scoops award for best voluntary benefits plan using Asperitys’ reward gateway
