This article explains why reviewing your workplace benefits matters and highlights common examples found across a variety of Employers in Jersey and Guernsey.

Details can vary by employer, contract and sector, so always check with your HR team.

Why reviewing employee benefits matters

Your salary is only part of your total package. Benefits such as employer pension contributions, group life insurance or health cover can significantly boost your financial resilience.

Understanding what you already have can help you:

• Reduce unnecessary personal spending

• Maximise contributions or available options

• Identify any gaps you may need to fill with personal planning

Typical benefits in the Channel Islands

While specifics vary, here are some common benefit types across employers in Jersey and Guernsey:

Employer pension contributions
Many organisations contribute to a defined contribution scheme alongside your own contributions. In some public sector roles, a defined benefit scheme guarantees a set retirement income.

Group life insurance
Employers may offer life cover worth up to four times your salary at no extra cost to you. Depending on your age and circumstances, this can be a valuable safety net. Most Group schemes do not require medical underwriting of this cover so this benefit is especially valuable for those with past medical history that makes obtaining personal cover difficult. 

Income protection or salary continuation
This benefit replaces part of your salary if you’re unable to work long term due to illness or injury.  Payments may continue for months or even years, depending on the scheme. Schemes can also include benefits that continue to fund pension contributions during a claim. 

Critical illness cover
Some workplaces offer this as part of a group scheme or an optional top-up at favourable rates. It pays a lump sum if you are diagnosed with a serious illness.

Healthcare and medical insurance
Financial services and some corporate employers include private medical insurance, routine health checks or access to wellbeing services.

Other perks
These might include access to financial advice, gym discounts, childcare vouchers or flexible working options, all of which can support your financial wellbeing.

How Rossborough Financial can help

We  help you get the full picture of your financial future, including what your employer provides. Our advisers can:

• Explain how your workplace benefits fit into your wider Financial Plan

• Identify areas where additional planning may be needed

• Build a tailored financial strategy that balances employer support with personal action

Next steps: review and reinforce your benefits

Because benefit packages vary widely by employer and sector, we recommend:

• Check your employee handbook or staff intranet for details of your benefits

• Reviewing how each benefit supports your long-term financial plan

• Highlighting any gaps in key areas such as income protection, life insurance, or pension planning.

Plan more clearly by knowing what you already have

Your workplace benefits may be more valuable than you realise. Let us help you make sense of them, and show you how they support your bigger financial goals.