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

Current laws: 1971 (social assistance), 1978 (social insurance), with 2003 amendment, and 1984 (attendance and invalid care).

Type of program: Social insurance and social assistance system.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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

Social Security Department
Edward T. Wheadon House,
Le Truchot,
St Peter Port, GY1 3WH,
Guernsey

Tel.: +(44-1481) 732 500
Fax: +(44-1481) 732 501

Health and Social Services Department administers hospital benefits.

Health and Social Services Department
Le Vauquiedor,
St Martins, GY4 6UU,
Guernsey

Tel.: +(44-1481) 725 241
Fax: +(44-1481) 235 341