Remote Benefits:

South Africa

Remote builds belonging for your global team with comprehensive local plans at competitive rates.
At Remote, we offer country-specific benefits for everyone on your team. Your employees will enjoy comprehensive coverage from top providers while you access competitive rates meant for larger groups — even if you’re still growing!
Remote Benefits Plans

Customers hiring in South Africa may elect to offer their employees one of the medical aids plans available (details below).

Other local insurances such as life insurance, income continuation, serious illness coverage, and family funeral coverage are core benefits, which are part of Remote's basic compensation package for all employees in South Africa. All customers must offer core benefits to their employees.

The rates listed here are for the current plan year. Pricing and benefits are subject to change in response to business and market changes and we will update you when those changes take place.

Please email support@remote.com with any questions!

Benefit

Cost

Description

Medical Aid plans (Optional)

~$228 - $458 USD

Remote offers three distinct plans in partnership with Discovery. All plans offer a Medical Savings Account (MSA) which can be used for most outpatient treatments. The key difference is what happens once this account is used up. Find details about the different plan options by following this link.

Provident Fund (Pension)

5% of salary

The Provident Fund consists of a mandatory 5% employee contribution with 5% employer match.

Other Insurance

Variable
  • Life Insurance: 1.02% of pensionable salary (100% employer paid)
  • Income Continuation: 0.55% of pensionable salary (100% employer paid)
  • Serious Illness Coverage: 0.41% of pensionable salary (100% employer paid)
  • Family Funeral Coverage: R32,10 per employee (100% employer paid)

Benefit

Medical Aid plans (Optional)

Cost

~$228 - $458 USD

Description

Remote offers three distinct plans in partnership with Discovery. All plans offer a Medical Savings Account (MSA) which can be used for most outpatient treatments. The key difference is what happens once this account is used up. Find details about the different plan options by following this link.

Benefit

Provident Fund (Pension)

Cost

5% of salary

Description

The Provident Fund consists of a mandatory 5% employee contribution with 5% employer match.

Benefit

Other Insurance

Cost

Variable

Description

  • Life Insurance: 1.02% of pensionable salary (100% employer paid)
  • Income Continuation: 0.55% of pensionable salary (100% employer paid)
  • Serious Illness Coverage: 0.41% of pensionable salary (100% employer paid)
  • Family Funeral Coverage: R32,10 per employee (100% employer paid)

Remote Mental Health Program

The rates listed here are for July 1, 2024, to April 30, 2025 policy year.

Remote has partnered with Oliva, the UK & Europe's #1 rated employee mental wellbeing platform. Oliva is available on desktop and as a mobile app and it includes:

  • 1-to-1 therapy with a curated pool of top-quality therapists (35+ languages available)
  • Advanced matching service to find each employee the right therapist for them within 48 hours (98% success rate)
  • Personal wellbeing profile with tailored recommendations and info to track progress
  • Curated self-guided content library with audio mindfulness & meditation sessions, guided yoga videos, Oliva Talks, podcasts on workplace wellbeing, and micro-learning content series for managers
  • 24/7 mental health helplines for when an employee is struggling and needs to talk to someone immediately
  • and more

Customers may elect to offer the mental health program benefits to their teams and can choose among 5 different plans. If one of the mental health benefit is offered, the employee will automatically be enrolled and you will be charged for it monthly. However, employees have the option to opt out of the benefit. If they choose to do so, they will be unenrolled and charges will stop effective from the next month.

It is essential to be aware that in certain countries, Mental Health benefits may be categorized as 'Benefits in Kind' (BIK). This categorization means that the monthly premiums, which the company pays for the benefit, might be counted as part of the employee's taxable income according to the local tax laws.

Pricing and benefits are subject to change in response to business and market changes and we will update you when those changes take place.

You can email support@remote.com with any questions!

Currency: Prices listed in USD, local currency equivalent will be determined based on the exchange rate at the time of invoicing.

Basic Mental Health Program

$3.00/MO.

Standard Mental Health Program

$8.47/MO.

Plus Mental Health Program

$15.70/MO.

Premium Mental Health Program

$22.70/MO.

Platinum Mental Health Program

$35.83/MO.

Basic Mental Health Program

$3.00/MO.

Platform Access Only

This plan does not include pre-paid Therapy / Coaching sessions. 

  • Personalized therapist matching service (35+ languages)
  • Wellbeing profile
  • Access to world-class self-guided content (yoga, meditations, Oliva Talks, podcasts, micro-learning series for managers)
  • 24/7 mental health helplines

Team members can pay for extra therapy sessions themselves in the Oliva platform ($91/session)

Standard Mental Health Program

$8.47/MO.

Includes:

  • Everything in the ‘Basic Mental Health Program’ tier
  • This plan includes one pre-paid Therapy / Coaching session that your team member can use during the policy year.

Team members can pay for extra therapy sessions themselves in the Oliva platform ($91/session)

Plus Mental Health Program

$15.70/MO.

Includes:

  • Everything in the ‘Basic Mental Health Program’ tier
  • This plan includes three pre-paid Therapy / Coaching sessions that your team member can use during the policy year.

Team members can pay for extra therapy sessions themselves in the Oliva platform ($91/session)

Premium Mental Health Program

$22.70/MO.

Includes:

  • Everything in the ‘Basic Mental Health Program’ tier
  • This plan includes six pre-paid Therapy / Coaching sessions that your team member can use during the policy year.

Team members can pay for extra therapy sessions themselves in the Oliva platform ($91/session)

Platinum Mental Health Program

$35.83/MO.

Includes:

  • Everything in the ‘Basic Mental Health Program’ tier
  • This plan includes twelve pre-paid Therapy / Coaching sessions that your team member can use during the policy year.

Team members can pay for extra therapy sessions themselves in the Oliva platform ($91/session)

Team members can pay for extra therapy sessions themselves in the Oliva platform ($91/session)

Remote Global Business Travel Insurance

The rates listed here are for November 1, 2024, to April 30, 2025.

Remote has partnered with Expatriate Group, a specialized insurance provider offering comprehensive business travel insurance solutions designed for global businesses. Remote's business travel is a Multi-trip Insurance and it includes:

  • Emergency Medical Support with access to emergency medical care and evacuation services in case of illness or injury while traveling.
  • Baggage and Business Equipment Coverage that protects personal belongings and essential business equipment during travel
  • Travel Delay and Trip Cancellation for unexpected travel delays or cancellations
  • Personal Liability and Accidental Death with coverage up $100,000 per trip across all plans.
  • Access to a 24/7 helpline, providing immediate assistance for travel emergencies, medical support, and more, no matter where employees are in the world.
  • Up to 42 days of annual Multi-Trip coverage.
  • and more.

Customers can offer Global Business Travel Insurance to selected employees, choosing from five levels of coverage. This insurance can be provided on an individual basis, without needing to offer it to the entire team. However, the chosen plan must be consistent for all eligible employees within the same country. Employees also have the option to opt-out, and if they do, their coverage and charges will end in the following billing cycle.

It is essential to be aware that in certain countries, Business Travel Insurance may be categorized as 'Benefits in Kind' (BIK). This categorization means that the monthly premiums, which the company pays for the benefit, might be counted as part of the employee's taxable income according to the local tax laws.

Pricing and benefits are subject to change in response to business and market changes and we will update you when those changes take place.

You can email support@remote.com with any questions!

Important:

  • Prices listed in USD, local currency equivalent will be determined based on the exchange rate at the time of invoicing.
  • For terminated employees, billing will cease as of the last day of the month. However, if during the active policy, the employee files a claim, the monthly premium will continue until next renewal.
  • Once the benefits is selected, it is a one-year commitment or until the next renewal, whichever comes first. You will not be able to opt out of the plan until this time period has been reached. If you do not cancel the coverage during this period, it will automatically renew.
  • All claims payment are made to the employees by the insurance company directly
  • Access comprehensive plan comparison here and our policy wording.

COVERAGE DESCRIPTION

BASIC

$11.45/MO.

STANDARD
PLUS

$17.59/MO.

(STANDARD: Excluding Medical & Evacuation for $11.57/MO available only for employees enrolled in our global health plan with Allianz)

PREMIUM
PLUS

$21.77/MO.

(PREMIUM : Excluding Medical & Evacuation for $14.47/MO available only for employees enrolled in our global health plan with Allianz)

Emergency & Accidental Medical

$1,000,000

$1,000,000

$1,000,000

Repatriation for Medical Treatment

100% per Trip

100% per Trip

100% per Trip

Emergency Medical Evacuation

$100,000

$100,000

$100,000

Repatriation of Mortal Remains

$25,000 per Trip

$25,000 per Trip

$25,000 per Trip

Pre-existing medical conditions

Stable Pre-Existing Medical Condition covered up to $50,000

Stable Pre-Existing Medical Condition covered up to $50,000

Stable Pre-Existing Medical Condition covered up to $50,000

Baggage Delay

$100 per day up to $700 per Trip *Does not apply to one-way trips

$100 per day up to $700 per Trip *Does not apply to one-way trips

Personal Liability

$100,000 per Trip

$100,000 per Trip

Accidental Death & Permanent Total Disability

$100,000 per Trip

$100,000 per Trip

Loss of Passport

$250 per Trip

$250 per Trip

Legal Expenses

$10,000 per Trip

$10,000 per Trip

Hijacking

$1,000 per Trip

$1,000 per Trip

Cancellation & Curtailment

$2,000 per Trip; subject to$100 Deductible per Trip *Benefit not available to residents of the USA

Compassionate Repatriation

$6,000 per Trip

Business Equipment

Up to $1,500

Up to $1,500

Up to $1,500

Computer Equipment Single Item Limit

$500.00

$500.00

$500.00

Business Money

$100 per day up to $500

$100 per day up to $500

$100 per day up to $500

Domestic Business Travel

Trips inside country of residence: Any trip over 70 miles from usual residence, where there’s at least 1 overnight stay in paid accommodation. In-country trips exclude Medical Treatment & Evacuation benefits.

Trips inside country of residence: Any trip over 70 miles from usual residence, where there’s at least 1 overnight stay in paid accommodation. In-country trips exclude Medical Treatment & Evacuation benefits.

Trips inside country of residence: Any trip over 70 miles from usual residence, where there’s at least 1 overnight stay in paid accommodation. In-country trips exclude Medical Treatment & Evacuation benefits.

COVERAGE DESCRIPTION

Emergency & Accidental Medical

BASIC

$11.45/MO.

$1,000,000

STANDARD
PLUS

$17.59/MO.

(STANDARD: Excluding Medical & Evacuation for $11.57/MO available only for employees enrolled in our global health plan with Allianz)

$1,000,000

PREMIUM
PLUS

$21.77/MO.

(PREMIUM : Excluding Medical & Evacuation for $14.47/MO available only for employees enrolled in our global health plan with Allianz)

$1,000,000

COVERAGE DESCRIPTION

Repatriation for Medical Treatment

BASIC

$11.45/MO.

100% per Trip

STANDARD
PLUS

$17.59/MO.

(STANDARD: Excluding Medical & Evacuation for $11.57/MO available only for employees enrolled in our global health plan with Allianz)

100% per Trip

PREMIUM
PLUS

$21.77/MO.

(PREMIUM : Excluding Medical & Evacuation for $14.47/MO available only for employees enrolled in our global health plan with Allianz)

100% per Trip

COVERAGE DESCRIPTION

Emergency Medical Evacuation

BASIC

$11.45/MO.

$100,000

STANDARD
PLUS

$17.59/MO.

(STANDARD: Excluding Medical & Evacuation for $11.57/MO available only for employees enrolled in our global health plan with Allianz)

$100,000

PREMIUM
PLUS

$21.77/MO.

(PREMIUM : Excluding Medical & Evacuation for $14.47/MO available only for employees enrolled in our global health plan with Allianz)

$100,000

COVERAGE DESCRIPTION

Repatriation of Mortal Remains

BASIC

$11.45/MO.

$25,000 per Trip

STANDARD
PLUS

$17.59/MO.

(STANDARD: Excluding Medical & Evacuation for $11.57/MO available only for employees enrolled in our global health plan with Allianz)

$25,000 per Trip

PREMIUM
PLUS

$21.77/MO.

(PREMIUM : Excluding Medical & Evacuation for $14.47/MO available only for employees enrolled in our global health plan with Allianz)

$25,000 per Trip

COVERAGE DESCRIPTION

Pre-existing medical conditions

BASIC

$11.45/MO.

Stable Pre-Existing Medical Condition covered up to $50,000

STANDARD
PLUS

$17.59/MO.

(STANDARD: Excluding Medical & Evacuation for $11.57/MO available only for employees enrolled in our global health plan with Allianz)

Stable Pre-Existing Medical Condition covered up to $50,000

PREMIUM
PLUS

$21.77/MO.

(PREMIUM : Excluding Medical & Evacuation for $14.47/MO available only for employees enrolled in our global health plan with Allianz)

Stable Pre-Existing Medical Condition covered up to $50,000

COVERAGE DESCRIPTION

Baggage Delay

BASIC

$11.45/MO.

STANDARD
PLUS

$17.59/MO.

(STANDARD: Excluding Medical & Evacuation for $11.57/MO available only for employees enrolled in our global health plan with Allianz)

$100 per day up to $700 per Trip *Does not apply to one-way trips

PREMIUM
PLUS

$21.77/MO.

(PREMIUM : Excluding Medical & Evacuation for $14.47/MO available only for employees enrolled in our global health plan with Allianz)

$100 per day up to $700 per Trip *Does not apply to one-way trips

COVERAGE DESCRIPTION

Personal Liability

BASIC

$11.45/MO.

STANDARD
PLUS

$17.59/MO.

(STANDARD: Excluding Medical & Evacuation for $11.57/MO available only for employees enrolled in our global health plan with Allianz)

$100,000 per Trip

PREMIUM
PLUS

$21.77/MO.

(PREMIUM : Excluding Medical & Evacuation for $14.47/MO available only for employees enrolled in our global health plan with Allianz)

$100,000 per Trip

COVERAGE DESCRIPTION

Accidental Death & Permanent Total Disability

BASIC

$11.45/MO.

STANDARD
PLUS

$17.59/MO.

(STANDARD: Excluding Medical & Evacuation for $11.57/MO available only for employees enrolled in our global health plan with Allianz)

$100,000 per Trip

PREMIUM
PLUS

$21.77/MO.

(PREMIUM : Excluding Medical & Evacuation for $14.47/MO available only for employees enrolled in our global health plan with Allianz)

$100,000 per Trip

COVERAGE DESCRIPTION

Loss of Passport

BASIC

$11.45/MO.

STANDARD
PLUS

$17.59/MO.

(STANDARD: Excluding Medical & Evacuation for $11.57/MO available only for employees enrolled in our global health plan with Allianz)

$250 per Trip

PREMIUM
PLUS

$21.77/MO.

(PREMIUM : Excluding Medical & Evacuation for $14.47/MO available only for employees enrolled in our global health plan with Allianz)

$250 per Trip

COVERAGE DESCRIPTION

Legal Expenses

BASIC

$11.45/MO.

STANDARD
PLUS

$17.59/MO.

(STANDARD: Excluding Medical & Evacuation for $11.57/MO available only for employees enrolled in our global health plan with Allianz)

$10,000 per Trip

PREMIUM
PLUS

$21.77/MO.

(PREMIUM : Excluding Medical & Evacuation for $14.47/MO available only for employees enrolled in our global health plan with Allianz)

$10,000 per Trip

COVERAGE DESCRIPTION

Hijacking

BASIC

$11.45/MO.

STANDARD
PLUS

$17.59/MO.

(STANDARD: Excluding Medical & Evacuation for $11.57/MO available only for employees enrolled in our global health plan with Allianz)

$1,000 per Trip

PREMIUM
PLUS

$21.77/MO.

(PREMIUM : Excluding Medical & Evacuation for $14.47/MO available only for employees enrolled in our global health plan with Allianz)

$1,000 per Trip

COVERAGE DESCRIPTION

Cancellation & Curtailment

BASIC

$11.45/MO.

STANDARD
PLUS

$17.59/MO.

(STANDARD: Excluding Medical & Evacuation for $11.57/MO available only for employees enrolled in our global health plan with Allianz)

PREMIUM
PLUS

$21.77/MO.

(PREMIUM : Excluding Medical & Evacuation for $14.47/MO available only for employees enrolled in our global health plan with Allianz)

$2,000 per Trip; subject to$100 Deductible per Trip *Benefit not available to residents of the USA

COVERAGE DESCRIPTION

Compassionate Repatriation

BASIC

$11.45/MO.

STANDARD
PLUS

$17.59/MO.

(STANDARD: Excluding Medical & Evacuation for $11.57/MO available only for employees enrolled in our global health plan with Allianz)

PREMIUM
PLUS

$21.77/MO.

(PREMIUM : Excluding Medical & Evacuation for $14.47/MO available only for employees enrolled in our global health plan with Allianz)

$6,000 per Trip

COVERAGE DESCRIPTION

Business Equipment

BASIC

$11.45/MO.

Up to $1,500

STANDARD
PLUS

$17.59/MO.

(STANDARD: Excluding Medical & Evacuation for $11.57/MO available only for employees enrolled in our global health plan with Allianz)

Up to $1,500

PREMIUM
PLUS

$21.77/MO.

(PREMIUM : Excluding Medical & Evacuation for $14.47/MO available only for employees enrolled in our global health plan with Allianz)

Up to $1,500

COVERAGE DESCRIPTION

Computer Equipment Single Item Limit

BASIC

$11.45/MO.

$500.00

STANDARD
PLUS

$17.59/MO.

(STANDARD: Excluding Medical & Evacuation for $11.57/MO available only for employees enrolled in our global health plan with Allianz)

$500.00

PREMIUM
PLUS

$21.77/MO.

(PREMIUM : Excluding Medical & Evacuation for $14.47/MO available only for employees enrolled in our global health plan with Allianz)

$500.00

COVERAGE DESCRIPTION

Business Money

BASIC

$11.45/MO.

$100 per day up to $500

STANDARD
PLUS

$17.59/MO.

(STANDARD: Excluding Medical & Evacuation for $11.57/MO available only for employees enrolled in our global health plan with Allianz)

$100 per day up to $500

PREMIUM
PLUS

$21.77/MO.

(PREMIUM : Excluding Medical & Evacuation for $14.47/MO available only for employees enrolled in our global health plan with Allianz)

$100 per day up to $500

COVERAGE DESCRIPTION

Domestic Business Travel

BASIC

$11.45/MO.

Trips inside country of residence: Any trip over 70 miles from usual residence, where there’s at least 1 overnight stay in paid accommodation. In-country trips exclude Medical Treatment & Evacuation benefits.

STANDARD
PLUS

$17.59/MO.

(STANDARD: Excluding Medical & Evacuation for $11.57/MO available only for employees enrolled in our global health plan with Allianz)

Trips inside country of residence: Any trip over 70 miles from usual residence, where there’s at least 1 overnight stay in paid accommodation. In-country trips exclude Medical Treatment & Evacuation benefits.

PREMIUM
PLUS

$21.77/MO.

(PREMIUM : Excluding Medical & Evacuation for $14.47/MO available only for employees enrolled in our global health plan with Allianz)

Trips inside country of residence: Any trip over 70 miles from usual residence, where there’s at least 1 overnight stay in paid accommodation. In-country trips exclude Medical Treatment & Evacuation benefits.

Remote’s Benefits Practices

Remote supports our clients by offering competitive benefits packages that will help you attract and retain the best talent across the globe! Our benefits specialists have done the research on norms and requirements in each local market and have crafted packages that will allow your employees to thrive, no matter what country they live in.

Because Remote is the employer of record, it’s important for us to offer the same core benefits to all employees in a country to ensure fair equity and non-discriminatory hiring practices, which protects your business and ours. We do not add a markup on any benefits premiums or administration costs.

If you would like more insight into fair equity and benefits best practices, you can download our Global Benefits Guide here!

Understanding Hiring in South Africa
  1. Healthcare in South Africa: The South African healthcare system consists of subsidized public sector care and a smaller private sector (serving about 20% of the population). The best specialists can usually be found in the private sector and it is typical for professionals to obtain private health insurance.
  2. You will see benefits options for South Africa when onboarding your employee. From there, the employee will be enrolled and contacted with more information about their plan. Remote takes care of all the administration work so you can focus on scaling your global team!

TCE in South Africa

If you’re ready to hire a new employee in South Africa, you may have generated or received a Total Cost of Employment quote to get an estimate of what it might cost. If you haven’t, you can do so with our handy Cost Calculator tool now!

Employers hiring in South Africa must pay for social contributions mandated by the government. These costs are automatically applied during payroll:

  1. Skills Development Levy
  2. Unemployment Insurance Fund

The exact cost of the contributions listed above can be found by using the Cost Calculator.

Learn more about Remote benefits

How do benefits work when hiring through an EOR?

Watch this quick explainer video to understand how offering benefits works when you hire team members through an employer of record like Remote.