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FAQs

Welcome to

Choices puts you in control of a range of benefits so you can shape your benefits package to suit your lifestyle. You can also adjust your options over time as your circumstances change.

The HCL AXON flexible benefits ‘window’ opens bi-annually in March and October. During these windows you can make changes to your benefit choices. The only time you can make changes to your benefits is if you have a Lifestyle Change (see page 11 for more details).

You can see all of your benefits online at any time by logging on to www.hclaxonchoices.com where you can:

• View your Total Reward Statement, showing the value of all the benefits you receive from HCL AXON.

• Select benefits and available cover levels.

• Find out more about each benefit.

Your benefits come under three categories: Health, Wealth and Lifestyle. Some of your benefits are core and are designed to provide you with cover for your wellbeing and protection. Others are flexible which means you can choose the level of cover and combination of benefits that best suits you and your family.

getting started

help & info

click on the boxes beloW For more detAils…

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dentAl insurAnceLook after your teeth and keep the cost down with Dental Insurance. Whether you use a private, NHS or Denplan dentist, this benefit helps towards the cost of routine check-ups or restorative treatment like fillings and crowns.

This benefit is paid for through Salary Sacrifice (see page 11) and is also taxable as a ‘benefit in kind’ (also known as a P11d benefit) so you will be taxed on the amount paid through Salary Sacrifice.

You choose…

• Whether to select this benefit.

• From six levels of cover with the option to include your family if you want to.

• Cover for extras like overseas treatment and sports injuries.

health

employee AssistAnce progrAmmeOffers confidential access to immediate help and support via telephone, whenever you might need it. The specialised team are highly trained in a wide range of potential issues covering topics like personal finances, housing, and crime.

This core benefit is paid for by the company and you do not pay any extra tax on this benefit.

You choose…

• When to use the service, it is completely free and is available 24/7.

heAlth AssessmentsIf you want the reassurance of an annual check-up, selecting Health Assessments through Choices means you can take advantage of discounted rates. All assessments include a personal consultation with a doctor and a personal health report, providing recommendations for things you can do to keep yourself in good health.

You do not have to pay any extra tax for this benefit.

You choose…

• Whether to select this benefit.

• From six options for women and three for men.

• Where to attend your assessment; there are a network of centres across the UK.

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health

medicAl cAsh plAnYou can use this benefit to cover 75% of your costs (up to an overall maximum which depends on your level of cover) for a range of everyday health expenses, from routine treatments like eye care, chiropody and dental treatment to occasional consultant appointments.

This benefit is paid for through Salary Sacrifice (see page 11) and is also taxable as a ‘benefit in kind’ (also known as a P11d benefit) so you will be taxed on the amount paid through Salary Sacrifice.

You choose…

• Whether to select this benefit.

• From seven levels of cover with the option to include your family if you want to.

privAte medicAl insurAnceMost of us need access to medical care at some point in our lives. Private Medical Insurance ensures you get the best treatment possible, with minimum delay.

This benefit is deducted from your gross salary and is also taxable as a ‘benefit in kind’ (also known as a P11d benefit) so you will be taxed on the value of the benefit.

You choose…

• Whether to select this benefit.

• From several levels of cover with the option to include your family if you want to.

• Whether to select unlimited outpatient cover.

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wealth £criticAl illnessIf you are diagnosed with any of 10 specified medical conditions, this benefit provides a tax free lump sum to help support you and your family through any changes you need to make to your lifestyle.

This benefit is paid for through Salary Sacrifice (see page 11) and is also taxable as a ‘benefit in kind’ (also known as a P11d benefit) so you will be taxed on the amount paid through Salary Sacrifice.

You choose...

• Whether to select this benefit.

• How much you would like to insure, you can buy up to £150,000 of cover in £10,000 increments.

group liFe AssurAnceIn the event of your death while working for HCL AXON, your beneficiaries would get a one off, tax-free lump sum payment of three times your basic salary. This core benefit is paid for by the company.

You do not have to pay any extra tax for this benefit.

You choose…

• Who it is paid to. To ensure it is paid to your dependants (and is paid free of inheritance tax) you must complete an Expression of Wish Form, available at www.hclaxonchoices.com

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wealth

£pensionMake sure you are ready for the future by saving through the HCL AXON Group Pension Plan (GPP). The GPP gives you access to a low cost, flexible, portable arrangement.

Your contribution costs you less than you might think because it is taken through payroll before Income Tax is paid. This means money that would have gone to the Government instead goes towards your pension. Paying through Salary Sacrifice also saves you and the company money on National Insurance Contributions.

You choose…

· Whether to select this benefit (please note that this is influenced by the automatic enrolment arrangements described on the right).

· How much to contribute, from 1% upwards. If you pay 3% HCL AXON will pay the same and we will also add our saving in National Insurance to your pension fund.

· Whether to invest contributions in the Plan default fund or select your own combination of investments from a choice of up to 50 funds.

To help people save more for their retirement, the Government requires employers to automatically enroll their workers into a workplace pension scheme. This means new employees are automatically enrolled into HCL AXON’s auto-enrolment scheme two months after they join the company, paying 1% of qualifying earnings (HCL AXON pay the same). New employees will only be enrolled into this scheme if they haven’t already selected the GPP through Choices as detailed above. Other employees who are not members of the GPP or the auto-enrolment scheme, and are classed as an ‘eligible job-holder’, will be enrolled into HCL AXON’s auto-enrolment scheme every three years. Employees will have the opportunity to opt-out of the auto-enrolment scheme after they have been enrolled. Click on the ‘?’ next to ‘Company Pension’ on Choices for more information.

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lifestyle

childcAre vouchersYou can use childcare vouchers if you are a parent or guardian, and use registered childminding services such as nannies, nurseries or children’s clubs. You can also use the vouchers for children up to 16 years of age for after school clubs and activities.

This benefit is paid through Salary Sacrifice (see page 11) and you could make significant savings in both tax and National Insurance.

You choose…

• Whether to select this benefit.

• Up to £243 a month of tax-free childcare vouchers (depending on your personal tax bracket*).

• The registered childcare arrangements you use.

*Eligibility varies, please refer to www.hclaxonchoices.com for details of your specific eligibilities and entitlements.

cycle to WorkIf you cycle to work (or want to get started) this benefit allows you to select a bike from Evans stores located nationwide. You are also able to buy bike accessories in the same way.

This benefit is paid through Salary Sacrifice (see page 11). HCL AXON pays for the bike upfront and you pay back the cost over 12 months. This means you can buy the bike of your choice without paying Income Tax or National Insurance, spreading the cost over a more manageable period of time. This can give you a saving of at least 25%.

You choose…

• Whether to select this benefit.

• How much you want to spend, up to £1,000 including VAT.

• Your bike and accessories from your local Evans store.

discountsThis benefit gives you access to discounts from a specially selected range of over 1,000 retailers. This means you can make savings on your everyday shopping, from groceries and petrol, to household goods and gift vouchers. The discounts are updated daily so make sure you look on www.hclaxonchoices.com regularly for the latest deals.

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lifestyle

gym membershipGet fit for less, with discounted gym membership through GymFlex. You can save up to 50% on the cost of membership.

This benefit is paid for through Salary Sacrifice (see page 11) and is also taxable as a ‘benefit in kind’ (also known as a P11d benefit) so you will be taxed on the amount paid through Salary Sacrifice.

You choose…

• Whether to select this benefit.

• Where you have your membership from over 1,500 gyms, health clubs and leisure centres across the country.

holidAy – buy/sellWe know how important it is to take time off away from work to relax, but the amount of holiday you need may vary from year to year. That’s why everyone at HCL AXON can choose from between 20 and 30 days’ holiday each year through Choices (in addition to national, public and bank holidays).

You do not have to pay any extra tax for this benefit.

You choose…

• Whether to increase your holiday allowance by buying extra days up to a maximum of 30, or sell some holiday down to a minimum of 20 (prorated for part-time employees).

give As you eArnMake a difference and contribute to your favourite registered charity through payroll. Give As You Earn enables you to make regular tax-efficient donations to any UK registered charity.

By donating through Give As You Earn you can make sure your preferred charity receives tax which would otherwise be paid to the government. It is the only way a 40% or 50% tax payer can give all their tax directly to charity.

You choose…

• Whether to select this benefit.

• How much to and where to donate.

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lifestyle

technology discountsKeep up with the trends in technology and get the latest tablet, laptop, desktop or smartphone for less.

Pay through your salary and spread the cost over 12 months. You will not pay NI on this benefit but it will be taxable as a benefit in kind. The value will be reported on your p11d after the end of the tax year.

You choose…

• Whether to select this benefit.

• The technology you want to buy.

trAvel insurAnceNo more booking travel insurance at the last minute or worrying about your level of cover when you are away. You get discounted rates and peace of mind that you have the level of cover you need throughout the year for both business and leisure travel.

This benefit is paid for through Salary Sacrifice (see page 11) and is also taxable as a ‘benefit in kind’ (also known as a P11d benefit) so you will be taxed on the amount paid through Salary Sacrifice.

You choose…

• Whether to select this benefit.

• From eight levels of cover with the option to include your family if you want to.

• Whether to extend your cover to include Winter sports.

liFestyle discounted diningThis benefit gives you huge discounts on the price of eating out. Using the card you can get 2 for 1 discounts at a wide range of restaurants including well known chains as well as a whole host of independents. The card is also valid nationwide and you can easily check online or use the downloadable Smartphone app to see what is available.

This benefit is deducted from your net pay and so you do not have to pay any extra tax for this benefit.

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getting started

logging in 1. Go to www.hclaxonchoices.com

2. Enter your user name and password. (If prompted to do so, you will need to change your password on first log in for security reasons).

3. Check that your personal and dependant details are correct, and amend if appropriate.

4. You are now ready to start making your benefit selections.

your home pAge And totAl reWArd stAtement The first page that you will arrive at shows your Total Reward Statement. From here you can see your salary and the benefits you receive from HCL AXON.

Detailed information about the benefits that are available to you can be found by clicking on the small question mark symbol next to the name of each benefit.

mAking your beneFit selections To make your benefit selections, simply:

1. Click on the ‘Change Benefits’ button found on the Total Reward Statement page.

2. A new page will open where you can make your selections and instantly see the effect on your take home pay.

3. Click ‘Submit’, and confirm your changes.

4. Your benefit selections have been made.

Accessing Choices and choosing your benefits is quick and easy. Just follow the steps below.

If you change your mind on a benefit or wish to add additional benefits after this stage, you are able to repeat this process as many times as you like before the window closes. Only your latest submission will take effect.

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FAQs help & info

WhAt is A liFestyle chAnge?These are significant changes in your personal circumstances that impact directly on one or more of the benefit options.

• Birth or adoption of a child

• Marriage or civil partnership

• Divorce or separation

• Death of a dependant

• A significant change in pay as a result of a change to your working hours

• Redundancy of a life partner

• Return from special leave

• Change to your dependants school status – joining or leaving school

WhAt is sAlAry sAcriFice?This is a fixed arrangement between you and the company where you agree to ‘sacrifice’, or exchange, part of your income for a nominated benefit such as Childcare Vouchers or Cycle to Work. This saves both you and the company National Insurance Contributions.

Should you have any questions at all, please contact the Choices helpdesk, managed by Thomsons Online Benefits on

0800 988 0330

(8.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, excluding UK Bank Holidays) or email

enquiries@thomsons.com

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