Employers will no longer be able to reclaim SSP
The Percentage Threshold Scheme (PTS), which allows employers to reclaim Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) in certain circumstances, is abolished from 6 April 2014.
Under PTS employers can reclaim SSP where the SSP paid is more than 13% of the Class 1 NIC due for the month. Employers are not entitled to recover any of the SSP paid to their employees unless they qualify for the reimbursement scheme.
The following example explains how the scheme works for a tax month:
| SSP paid |
= |
630.00 |
| Gross NI £3,704.29 x 13% |
= |
481.56 |
| SSP recoverable: (£630 - £481.56) |
= |
£148.44 |
From 6 April 2014 employers will be unable to recover SSP however they will continue to be able to recover unclaimed SSP for previous years for a limited period. Do contact us if you think this may apply to your business.
The government has announced that the current PTS funding will be moved into a new scheme to help employees who have been incapacitated for four weeks or more get back to work as part of the government's Health Work and Wellbeing Initiative. This scheme is expected to be available later next year.
Internet links: ICAEW health work and wellbeing initiative