As employers prepare for the substantial increase in Employers' National Insurance Contributions (NIC) effective from 6 April 2025, Ward Williams emphasises the importance of strategic financial planning. The NIC rate will rise from 13.8% to 15%, and the threshold for contributions will decrease from £9,100 to £5,000, leading to an estimated additional cost of £615 per employee. In this context, salary sacrifice pension arrangements emerge as a viable solution. This approach allows employees to exchange a portion of their salary for enhanced employer pension contributions, resulting in significant tax and NIC savings for both parties. The article illustrates how a salary sacrifice scheme can save an employer approximately £55,000 annually while also improving employee retention and providing greater flexibility. It also outlines essential considerations for implementation, such as compliance with National Minimum Wage regulations and the potential impact on employee benefits.
Ward Williams was much more sympathetic to my circumstances. There was much more opportunity for me to ask for help when needed, and there was far less jargon in the information that they sent me.
Clare Francis - Probate Client
Probate can be a very detailed procedure, as I knew from personal experience. But Ward Williams made the whole thing less daunting. They were very reassuring and clear about everything. Keeping us informed and letting us know we could ask for advice whenever we wanted.
Sam Crossby - Probate Client
When taking on my fathers probate, the solicitor didn't explain that there were a number of things we could have done ourselves; in contrast, Ward Williams were clear from the start about the different options available to us and the associated costs of these options.
Clare Francis - Probate Client
We felt we were always able to ask questions that we had or pop in for a meeting. We felt well looked after all the way through and it was very comforting to know that we had a professional firm to take the anxiety out of the process for us.
Sam Crossby - Probate Client
The relationship in dealing with my parents tax has come to an end but the fact we are going to ask them to handle the trust speaks volumes about how we feel they dealt with the probate.
Clare Francis - Probate Client
Ward Williams simply told us that they could provide the service, explaining what they could do if we wanted them to. Their approach was far more human, and much more appropriate to the circumstances.
Sam Crossby - Probate Client
Personal relationships count for a lot in these circumstances and our relationship with Ward Williams is excellent.
Clare Francis - Probate Client
Ward Williams were financial advisers to both parents and after my father died they continued to look after my mother's financial affairs. Because of that good understanding we felt they would be best placed to provide the expertise needed to see probate through and would handle everything in-house. The long-term relationship meant that we already had a high level of trust in them.
Sam Crossby - Probate Client