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As an employee working in the United Kingdom through Justworks, you’re covered by a combination of public and private programs that protect your health, income, and overall wellbeing. These benefits ensure you can access healthcare, plan for your future, and take protected time off when you’re on holiday, unwell, or caring for your family.
This series of guides explains your UK benefits and leave entitlements in clear, straightforward language, based on official UK government guidance from GOV.UK and the National Health Service (NHS).
What You’ll Find in This Series
Health, Benefits, and Pension Coverage
Learn about the UK’s National Health Service (NHS), your private Bupa medical and dental coverage, and how life insurance, income protection, and pension contributions through Justworks and Smart Pension help support your financial security.
Leave and Sick Pay
Understand your rights to annual leave, public holidays, and Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) — including how leave accrues, how sick pay works, and where to find official forms and guidance.
Family and Parental Leave
Explore your entitlements to maternity, paternity, adoption, shared parental, and parental bereavement leave — including pay details, eligibility rules, and how to apply for each type of leave.
Health Benefits
The National Health Service (NHS)
The UK operates a publicly funded healthcare system, the National Health Service (NHS), which provides most medical care free of charge at the point of use.
As a resident employee in the UK, you have access to NHS services, including:
- Visits to general practitioners (GPs)
- Hospital and emergency treatment
- Maternity care
- Prescriptions (subject to a standard charge in England; free in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland)
If you’re relocating to the UK, you must typically pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) as part of your visa application. This gives you full access to NHS care during your stay.
You can learn more about NHS services at NHS.uk.
Supplemental Private Medical Insurance
In addition to NHS coverage, Justworks provides private health insurance through Bupa, offering faster access to care and additional services not covered by the public system.
This supplemental plan may include:
- Private hospital and specialist treatment
- Diagnostic tests and scans
- Mental health care and therapy
- Cancer treatment
- Outpatient services and consultations
Employees are automatically enrolled in the Bupa Select Complete plan. Dependent coverage is available at the customer’s discretion and includes options for single-parent, couple, and family coverage.
Private healthcare through Bupa is 100% employer-paid, but the premium is considered a taxable benefit-in-kind.
Supplemental Dental and Vision Coverage
Justworks also offers dental insurance through Bupa Dental, covering a range of preventive and restorative treatments.
Typical coverage includes:
- Routine examinations
- X-rays and diagnostic scans
- Scale and polish treatments
- Periodontal (gum) care
This coverage is also 100% employer-paid, though it is taxable to employees.
You can find plan options (Choice 3 or Choice 4) through Bupa Dental.
Other Insurance Benefits
Life Insurance
All eligible employees in the UK are automatically enrolled in group Life Insurance coverage through Unum, one of the UK’s leading life assurance providers.
This policy provides a lump-sum benefit equal to 4x your annual salary, payable to your nominated beneficiary in the event of your death.
There’s no medical questionnaire or application process, and the benefit is not taxed as a P11D (benefit in kind). Coverage begins immediately upon joining the plan.
Income Protection
Employees are also enrolled in Income Protection Insurance (through Unum) to protect against long-term loss of income due to illness or injury.
- Pays 75% of your annual salary for up to 60 months if you’re unable to work.
- Begins after a 26-week absence period.
- Covers employees between the ages of 16 and the state pension age.
Like life insurance, this benefit is not taxable and automatically begins upon enrollment.
Pensions and Retirement
Workplace Pension
Under UK law, employers must provide employees with access to a workplace pension scheme.
Through Justworks, employees are automatically enrolled in a pension plan managed by Smart Pension.
You and your employer both contribute to your pension:
- Employee contribution: minimum 5% of qualifying earnings.
- Employer contribution: minimum 3% of qualifying earnings.
You can choose to increase your contributions at any time or opt out within 30 days of enrollment.
Once you’ve contributed for a period of time, the funds in your pension pot belong to you. You can manage your account directly through the Smart Pension Portal, including transferring in or out of previous pensions.
To contact Smart Pension, call 0333 666 2626 or use the Smart Pension contact form.
State Pension
In addition to your workplace pension, all employees contribute to the UK’s State Pension through National Insurance (NI) contributions.
You’ll be eligible to receive the State Pension once you reach the State Pension age and have made sufficient contributions — currently, at least 10 qualifying years of National Insurance payments for any pension, and 35 years for the full amount.
As of 2025, the full new State Pension is £230.25 per week.
You can check your State Pension forecast or contribution record at GOV.UK – Check Your State Pension.
Social Security and National Insurance
National Insurance (NI) contributions are automatically deducted from your pay. These contributions fund a variety of public benefits, including:
- State Pension
- National Health Service (NHS)
- Statutory Maternity, Paternity, and Sick Pay
- Unemployment and disability benefits
The standard employee NI rate is 8% on earnings between £12,570 and £50,270, and 2% on earnings above that amount.
Employers contribute an additional 15% on employee earnings above £5000.
You can learn more about National Insurance at GOV.UK – National Insurance.
Key Takeaways
- The NHS provides free public healthcare, while Justworks’ Bupa coverage offers faster access to private care.
- Dental and vision coverage are available through Bupa as employer-paid, taxable benefits.
- Employees are automatically enrolled in Life Insurance and Income Protection plans through Unum.
- You contribute to both a workplace pension (Smart Pension) and the State Pension via National Insurance.
For more information about your health, pension, and insurance benefits, visit GOV.UK or contact Justworks Support.
Need Help?
If you have questions about your benefits or time-off entitlements, you can reach out to international-support@justworks.com for assistance.
For official information about statutory rights in the UK, visit the GOV.UK Employment Rights portal.
Disclaimer
This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for accounting, legal or tax advice. If you have any legal or tax questions regarding this content or related issues, then you should consult with your professional legal or tax advisor.