UK Guernsey Social Security Agreement: How It Benefits Residents
The social security agreement between the United Kingdom and Guernsey was signed on 6 August 2019 and came into force on 1 January 2021. The agreement aims to guarantee that people who move between these two territories can continue to access social security benefits, just as if they had remained in their home country.
The agreement applies to people who are:
• UK residents who move to Guernsey
• Guernsey residents who move to the UK
• People who have lived or worked in both territories
Here are some of the benefits of the agreement:
Pension Benefits
The agreement allows for the aggregation of social security contributions and credits made in the UK and Guernsey. This means that people who have worked in both territories can combine their contributions to qualify for benefits in either country.
For example, if someone has worked in the UK for 10 years and then moves to Guernsey and works there for another 10 years before retiring, they can combine their contributions and become eligible for the state pension in either country.
Healthcare Coverage
The agreement ensures that people who are entitled to healthcare in one territory can receive healthcare in the other. This means that people who move between the UK and Guernsey will be able to continue to access healthcare services, just as if they had remained in their home country.
It is important to note that the UK provides free healthcare to its residents through the National Health Service (NHS). However, in Guernsey, healthcare is provided by the States of Guernsey and is funded by social security contributions. The social security agreement ensures that people who move between the UK and Guernsey can continue to access healthcare services, regardless of where they are living.
Disability Benefits
The agreement allows for the export of long-term disability benefits from the UK to Guernsey and vice versa. This means that people who move between these territories and are entitled to long-term disability benefits can continue to receive them even if they move outside of their home country.
Unemployment Benefits
The agreement allows for people who have worked in both territories to combine their contributions to qualify for unemployment benefits in either country. This means that people who are looking for work in the UK or Guernsey can continue to receive benefits, regardless of where they have previously worked.
Conclusion
The UK Guernsey social security agreement provides important benefits for residents who move between these two territories. The agreement ensures that people can continue to access social security benefits, including pension, healthcare, disability, and unemployment benefits, just as if they had remained in their home country. This agreement is a testament to the strong relationship between the UK and Guernsey and will serve to strengthen ties between these territories.